Therapy Statement
Although I provide services for adults and families, I specialize in work with children and adolescents. With children, I use a variety of narrative and play therapy techniques. Children often best express their thoughts and feelings nonverbally, through play, the arts, and their interests. Together we develop coping strategies so that children can better deal with stressful events. I have successfully worked with children and teens experiencing depression, separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, anger management/aggression, family crises and transitions, self-harming behaviors, selective mutism and other behavioral issues. I also have extensive experience and success working with children with diagnoses of Asperger’s or high-functioning autism spectrum disorders to improve self esteem, communication, social competence and impulse control. I strongly believe in the importance of communicating with other adults and professionals in a child’s life to work as a “therapeutic team”.

For adults, many of whom struggle with depression and anxiety, my therapeutic philosophy is best described as integrative. I use both narrative therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques within an interpersonal context of a safe, supportive relationship. I believe in an open, collaborative approach that emphasizes the clients’ lead in telling and interpreting their unique stories. People come to therapy for a variety of reasons, including: to process emotions, to heal, to problem solve, to understand, to decide, to forgive, to accept, or to change. Regardless of the reason, I believe that a client brings to therapy the very tools and solutions they need. My job is simply to help you discover (or re-discover) these tools and be a witness to your experience. I will work with you identify and change negative thoughts or behavior patterns that prevent you from reaching your goals. One of the strategies I use is to help clients “externalize” problems. In other words, our difficulties happen to us, but they are not us, and we always have choices regarding how to respond to them. I endeavor to help you find the gifts in the challenges that you face and discover your own answers.

With families, I use a solution-oriented, strengths-based approach to problem solving. Family therapy sessions usually focus on helping families improve communication, resolve conflict, understand each other better, and understand the function that certain problems may be playing in their family dynamics. I work with family members to respect each others’ boundaries and to remember how to enjoy one another.

Laura has also co-authored a book for children with Autism and Aspergers, called Social Competence Intervention Program.

About Dr. Guli
I come to the ApaCenter from a background of over 15 years of working with multicultural children, adolescents and their families in therapeutic and educational settings, including outpatient community health, private clinic, women’s shelter, public and private school settings. After obtaining my Ph.D. at the University of Texas in Austin, I completed my predoctoral internship at Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers in Dallas, TX. Prior to my work with ApaCenter, I worked for three years as a School Psychologist with Austin Independent School District. In addition to my clinical work, I have several publications in national journals, as well as a recently published group treatment manual for children with social competence needs called Social Competence Intervention Program.

Degrees/Licenses
B.A. – 1991, The University of Virginia
M.A. – 2001, The University of Texas at Austin
Ph.D. – 2004, The University of Texas at Austin
Licensed Psychologist, Texas, #32973
Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Texas #33145

Areas of Specialization

• Child and adolescent emotional/behavioral issues
• Asperger Syndrome and autism spectrum
• Anxiety and depression
• Family therapy
• Art therapy
• Parent/school consultation