Laurel Tobias, MSW, LICSW
Laurel brings to the Sibley Group a strong social work foundation and client-centered approach to working with children and families. She specializes in treating children ages 4-12 as well as adolescent treatment and parent coaching. She takes a collaborative family approach and is dedicated to creating a comfortable, safe, and inclusive environment for all clients and members of the family.
Laurel uses a fairly integrated approach tailored to fit the needs of the individual; primarily she uses Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Expressive Arts, Mindfulness, and directive play therapy techniques, such as art, sand tray, and game play to shape the way she interacts with her young clients. She incorporates parent coaching and processing techniques from Emotion- Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), as well as anxiety management strategies from Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). She supports caregivers with management of big feelings in the home and can provide specialized treatment for parents of kiddos with anxiety disorders. She enjoys being creative with her clients and families and encourages them to explore many different methods of expressing themselves.
Laurel strives to keep the therapy space authentic, goal-oriented, and non-judgemental in order to promote safety and personal growth. She has experience supporting young people with a variety of mental health needs: ADHD, Anxiety disorders, Depression, Attachment injuries, Trauma, adjustment concerns, social skill and behavioral concerns, Intellectual and Learning Disabilities, and complex illnesses and healthcare needs.
Laurel received her BA in Psychology from North Carolina State University and her MSW from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is licensed as an Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in both Maryland and Washington, DC.
In addition to work, Laurel spends time hiking, traveling, eating, and pushing her cat off of her computer while he tries to interrupt Zoom sessions.
