The most important aspect of your psychotherapy is your relationship with the therapist. You require and are entitled to an understanding, empathetic and dedicated professional. Additionally, that therapist should have substantial experience to enable her/him to quickly and correctly analyze the problem and understand the solution. A credible psychotherapist should have substantial post-graduate research and practice to remain at the "cutting edge" and have the personality and warmth that enables the client or patient to feel safe and comfortable in a setting of absolute confidentiality.

These are all attributes that can be found in Laura Essen L.C.S.W.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker / Psychotherapist
Miami Lakes Professional Counselling Centre, Miami Lakes, Florida. President, September 1989 to present.

Therapist / Social Worker
Miami Lakes Professional Counselling Centre, Miami Lakes, Florida. May 1987 to September 1989.

Clinical Supervisor / Social Worker
Juvenile Diversion Program, Hollywood, Florida. May 1987 to August 1987.

Part-time Case Worker
Juvenile Diversion Program, Hollywood, Florida. May 1986 to May 1987.

Administrator
Dietary Behavioral Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 1979 to 1980.

Administrator
Dietary Behavioral Center, Miami, Florida. 1976.

Master of Social Work
Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida. May 1987. Major: Clinical Social Work. GPA: 3.941.
Graduated with Honors

Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Florida International University, Miami, Florida. April 1984. Cumulative average: 4.0.
Graduated with Honors
Summa Cum Laude

Academic Awards

• Florida International University: Dean's List - Last two years of undergraduate college. Graduated with Highest Honors.
• Florida International University: Awarded - Excellence in the Field. 1983-84
• Florida International University: Awarded - Academic Excellence. 1983-84

• National Association of Social Workers
• Clinical Social Work Association of South Florida
• The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, Lifetime Member
• Florida Psychoanalytic Society

• Dade County Mental Health Program, JASP, 1985.
• Switchboard of Miami, 1982.

Tennis, Reading, Photography, Travel, Piano.