Business Details
10 Years
experience
Mind-Body Psychotherapy Services in Westport, CT
Laura van Riper Therapy provides integrative mind-body psychotherapy rooted in evidence-based practices. With over two decades of clinical experience, we specialize in treating trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, and life transitions through Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and psychodynamic therapy. Our approach combines insight-oriented talk therapy with somatic techniques to address the interconnectedness of mental and physical health.We serve adults, adolescents, and children in Westport, CT, offering tailored interventions that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and long-term healing. Our practice also supports fellow professionals seeking to integrate somatic methodologies into their therapeutic work.
Services
Somatic Psychotherapy
Trauma Therapy
EMDR Therapy
Child & Adolescent Therapy
Parent Guidance
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We offer trauma-informed therapy grounded in 20+ years of clinical experience
- Our integrative approach combines Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, and psychodynamic techniques
- Specialized treatment for children, adolescents, and adults across developmental stages
- Comprehensive parent guidance for family-centered mental health support
- Active participation in professional somatic therapy training and development
Associations and certifications
- Somatic Experiencing International (SEI)
What people say
Transformed into a different person
Supportive therapeutic environment
Successfully navigated life transitions
Developed emotional regulation skills
Effective trauma symptom relief
Services
Somatic Psychotherapy
Integrates body awareness with traditional talk therapy to address trauma and emotional distress. Helps clients develop somatic regulation skills while exploring psychological patterns. Combines Somatic Experiencing techniques with psychodynamic insights for comprehensive healing of chronic stress and trauma symptoms.
Trauma Therapy
Specialized treatment for developmental trauma and PTSD using evidence-based modalities. Focuses on nervous system regulation through Somatic Experiencing and EMDR. Addresses both acute traumatic events and complex childhood attachment wounds to restore emotional resilience and functional capacity.
EMDR Therapy
Utilizes bilateral stimulation to process traumatic memories and reduce distressing symptoms. Effective for PTSD, anxiety, and negative self-beliefs. Integrates somatic awareness to enhance traditional EMDR protocols for deeper neurological integration and symptom relief.
Child & Adolescent Therapy
Developmentally appropriate therapy for ages six and up using play, art, and somatic techniques. Addresses anxiety, behavioral challenges, and trauma while involving families in the healing process. Builds emotional regulation skills through body-based interventions tailored to young clients' needs.
Parent Guidance
Coaching for parents navigating children's mental health challenges. Provides strategies for effective communication and emotional support. Focuses on understanding child development and implementing somatic techniques to improve family dynamics and relational healing.
People
Laura van Riper
Founder & Lead Therapist
LCSW and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with 20+ years of clinical experience. Specializes in trauma treatment across developmental stages. Holds advanced training in EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, and somatic interventions. Former corporate HR executive turned psychotherapist with a focus on mind-body healing.
Questions
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
I integrate Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, and CBT to address mental health challenges through both mind and body.
Do you work with children and teens?
Yes, I provide therapy for children aged six and up, incorporating play therapy and somatic techniques tailored to developmental needs.
Are you an in-network insurance provider?
I operate as an out-of-network provider to maintain treatment flexibility and personalized care planning for clients.
What mental health issues do you specialize in?
My practice focuses on trauma recovery, anxiety, depression, life transitions, chronic stress, and attachment-related challenges across all ages.
Do you offer sessions for therapist training?
Yes, I provide Somatic Experiencing sessions for professional development and consultation to support therapists integrating somatic techniques.
How does somatic therapy differ from traditional talk therapy?
Somatic therapy incorporates body awareness and physical sensations alongside verbal processing to address trauma stored in the nervous system.
