October’s Featured Member:
Laura Koonce, LMFT

Each month I will continue to write about our members and their connection to our chapter. As CFO, I can write all day about being involved in LA-CAMFT. I feel that hearing from other members is more authentic and genuine for all of you. For each month’s Member Spotlight, I’ll be reaching out to our members to write about their experiences in our chapter. If you would like me to write about you and why you’re a member of our chapter, please email me at cfo@lacamft.org.

This month I would like to feature Laura Koonce, LMFT, a member of our LA-CAMFT chapter, who practices in West Los Angeles and has a special interest in working with individuals and couples within the LGBTQ+ community. I met Laura when she helped out at one of our Networking Meetings.

Laura is one of our newest members and her areas of emphasis are:

• Attachment
• Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual Gender Identity
• Mind/Body (Somatic)
• Post-Traumatic Stress
• Relationships

Laura received her Master’s Degree in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology, as well as a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, both from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. Her main focus and interest during this time of study was depth psychology and particularly the work of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, and James Hillman.

Laura did her training at the Southern California Counseling Center in Los Angeles, California, working with a diverse population of clients that included individuals, couples, and children. She furthered her training with the Pacific Gestalt Institute of Los Angeles and enjoys serving as a board member of the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Los Angeles (GTILA).

Enjoy reading more about Laura Koonce in her own words:

My own inner work is what set me on the path to becoming a therapist, and it is through the work of being with and healing from my own unique wounds that I am afforded the privilege of being with others in their journey to wholeness.

As a lesbian growing up in Louisiana in the 80s and 90s, I struggled with a lot of internalized homophobia. I learned to hide my authentic self in favor of doing what was expected of me, and in the process attempted to numb the pain by turning to drugs and alcohol.

After becoming sober, I decided to go to graduate school. My first degree in Mythological Studies with an emphasis in Depth Psychology led me to pursue a second Masters in Counseling Psychology. My journey through suffering and into healing inspired me to bring the gifts I received back into the world to help others. My belief is that to be a truly great therapist, one must be doing their own ongoing internal work.

This upcoming January I’ll celebrate ten years of sobriety. I’ll also celebrate ten years of understanding the freedom that comes from living authentically. My passion is to create a safe and nurturing space in which the wounds that keep one small and hiding can be compassionately transformed into the gifts of one’s own unique true nature.

As a psychotherapist, I work relationally with clients to provide a safe and nurturing space in which difficult issues in one's life can be gently and compassionately held, understood, and integrated in a way that facilitates strength, hope, and meaning. Through non-judgmental and attuned presence to one's sacred inner world, the client and I work creatively together to transform what once felt unbearable into a gift that will inspire authenticity, creativity, and deep connection to self and others. Incorporating Attachment Focused EMDR and somatic work to heal trauma in the body and nervous system, our therapeutic goal is living one's life with the greatest purpose and meaning.

A number of colleagues had mentioned that they benefit both personally and professionally from being a part of LA-CAMFT, and they encouraged me to join. I'm enjoying getting to know others in the profession so that I can continue to create a more and more comprehensive referral list of people I can trust. It's also been a great way to get my CEUs and listen to some engaging speakers speak about things that have been really relevant to our work as therapists. Honestly, if you really want to know the truth, I was told the buffet breakfast was good--and it really is!

Valerie "Billie" Klayman, M.A., LMFT, an integrative Meaning Centered Therapist, became a supervisor at Antioch University Counseling Center in 2014. Billie initiated a partnership between AUCC and the Culver City Senior Center offering pro-bono therapy and group therapy to members of CCSC. December 2016, Culver City hired Billie to help residents of the community at the Culver City Senior Center. She’s presented on Substance Abuse and Addiction. Billie can be reached at cfo@lacamft.org.