Teaching & Training
“Lara has a natural flow to her style of teaching that allows the group to engage in, and be a part of, the learning experience.”
I provide training to social workers, mental health therapists, coaches and peer helpers who want to feel authentic, engaged, and effective in their work with clients.
In 2005, I graduated with my Masters in Social Work and have been providing services to clients since that time. I have worked in client outreach, advocacy, case management, medical social work, and now as a therapist for the last dozen years. I have also been teaching clinical skills for the last eight years and was recognized with the School of Social Work’s student choice teaching award. I believe that my clinical experience benefits my teaching and my teaching benefits my clinical work.
I am a certified and an approved trainer in Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), an evidence-based counseling method for working with the families of treatment-skeptical people with substance use disorders and I am a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT).
Recent training clients have included Smith College department of continuing education, Snohomish County Recovery Coalition, Northwest ATTC, UW’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, as well as County, Tribal and State Behavioral Health Organizations.
I am committed to my own continued learning and growth and bring my curiosity, passion and desire for fun with me to my teaching. Reach out to discuss the training options available for your team.
“Lara’s teaching style is lively and informative. This is indeed the best zoom/virtual class I have taken during pandemic. Both the content of education and delivery are highly recommended.”