A little bit about Laura

Originally from the East Coast, I am a ‘Jersey girl’ who lived the first twenty years of my life in New Jersey. After graduating from college, I moved to the Washington, DC Metropolitan area where I enjoyed the next 20 years. In September of 2012, I relocated to Denver to pursue a long-time dream of living in Colorado.

When I’m not working, I love to do just about anything outside with friends and family – bike, ski, hike and cook on the grill, to name a few.  I am a dog rescue volunteer and enjoy fostering when I can. My dog, ‘Reason’, is quite a character who has a big dog personality covered in little dog fur. He loves to be in the office and offer comfort to those who want or need it. 

I am a big football fan and remain loyal to the New York Giants, though I have been caught cheering for the Denver Broncos a time or two.

Laughter is the ‘coping skill’ I value most when life gets tough, and I am quick to chuckle at myself, even when no one is watching!

Why do clients choose Laura Cross? Here is a bit of voluntary feedback from a few of her clients.

“Laura is a truly a remarkable therapist. I have recommended her to many friends and colleagues and will continue to do so.”

“What I noticed most about Laura is how comfortable I feel conversing with her ... her friendly relaxed style works great with me. The professionalism of her practice was impressive.”

“Laura is one of the most compassionate people we have ever met.”

“She is warm and down to earth, and really easy to talk to. We find ourselves sharing things with her that I barely admit to myself, and she handles it all in a way that makes me feel truly understood.”

“Laura continues to amaze me with her empathy and ability to completely focus on our discussions during our time together. She has helped us work through many difficult areas of our relationship. We highly recommend her.”

“Laura has been such a tremendous help to us in sorting through our feelings, seeing our situation with clarity and making positive changes. We feel so comfortable talking to her - like we can just be honest and also explore our struggles with lots of encouragement and support. We are so glad to have met Laura!”

Why I Became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

My father passed away from a lengthy battle with cancer when I was 21 and he was the young age of 58.  Living with cancer in our family for three years, and watching my dad work so hard to fight it, inspired my desire to know more about terminal illness and pursue a career in the medical field. Though I had been fortunate enough to say goodbye to him and to prepare for the profound loss in my life, I still found myself experiencing overwhelming grief.  As time went on, I was still struggling to define a new normal in my life without my father. Eventually, I realized I hadn’t fully grieved my loss in a way that promoted emotional healing.  This was the catalyst for seeking my own individual therapy where I was finally able to connect current problems in my life to the grief and feelings of loss from my past. Processing those painful emotions in the safety of my therapist’s office created the space I needed to heal and to learn how to form a healthier relationship with myself and others. 

The personal growth and insight I gained during my individual therapy continue to inform how I live my life today and significantly contributed to my decision to pursue a career in helping others. I moved my practice in 2012 and have been a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Denver ever since. I am emotionally present with my clients so you will feel comfortable being open and vulnerable with me as your therapist.

Credentials and Training

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Colorado #MFT.0001224

Certified by ICEEFT, in Emotionally Focused Therapy

Certified by ICEEFT, Emotionally Focused Therapy Supervisor

Advanced Training in Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) (Level 1 and Level 2)

Advanced Training in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) (Level 1 and Level 2)

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor

Trained by the AEDP Institute - Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy

Trained by EMDRIA - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

Master of Science, Marriage and Family Therapy - Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia

Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing - James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Previous Experience

Denver Family Therapy Center, Individual and Family Therapist for ‘The ROC’ - an alternative high school in Adams County where I provided individual, group and family therapy services for at risk adolescents and their families.

Phoenix Houses of the Mid-Atlantic, Family Therapist - As the Family Therapist on staff, I provided individual counseling, couples therapy and family services for substance abuse clients in an in-patient residential rehabilitation treatment facility.

Center for Family Services - I provided couples, family and individual therapy services for adolescents  and adults who experienced relationship dissatisfaction, anxiety, depression and past trauma.

Professional Research

Cross, L. A. (2012) Understanding Couples’ Perceptions of the Impact of Chronic Back Pain on their Relationship. (Unpublished Manuscript).  A study designed to explore how couples experience changes in their relationship resulting from the onset of chronic back pain, the pain-related factors that most contribute to the changes, and the meaning couples assign to the changes.

Professional Affiliations

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Clinical Fellow

Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Member

International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, Member

Rocky Mountain Family Therapy Network - Emerging Professionals Advocate

Random ‘Fun’ Facts About Me

Best Goal: To enjoy each moment of the on-going process of identifying my purpose in life

Best Habit: Maintaining a curious state of mind all the time.  I’ve learned the most amazing things when I have least expected it.

Best Reason to be Happy: The alternative to being happy just isn’t nearly as much fun!

Best Legal Route to Joy: Being outside in the fresh Colorado air while hiking, skiing…anything outside with the people and dog I love most.

Best Flaw: I have a very hard time declining social invitations from friends and family, which often leads to very little ‘Laura Time’.  I can’t help it – I hate to miss out on the fun!

Best Accomplishment: Making the decision to leave an enjoyable 20-year career in corporate America to pursue a more fulfilling career as a Marriage and Family Therapist in Cherry Creek.

Best Motto: “Be curious, not judgmental” – Walt Whitman

Best Under-Appreciated Skill: My ability to laugh at myself on a daily basis – especially when it can help break the ice in an unfamiliar situation!

Laura's clients use these words to describe her:

Ready to get started?

Schedule an appointment with me.