About Laura

I entered the field of family systems therapy 28 years ago believing that the more we heal ourselves, the more we heal the world. I’m committed to supporting other healing professionals maintain the integrity, ethics and proficiency our clients deserve—without burning out.

I’ve been shaped by amazing mentors and also hurt by leadership who lacked accountability, self reflection and a commitment to their own healing. These experiences shaped me into the therapist, consultant and supervisor I am today and inspire my efforts to positively impact the mental health community. Do your own work so you can help clients do theirs.

Having quality mentors help you access and embody your wise, loving, internal Self in sessino is your greatest resource for helping clients experience lifelong healing and transformation.

Supporting you in your journey to become more Self-led, effective and hopeful is my deepest honor and joy.

As an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Approved Clinical Consultant and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, I own a private practice and lead international online clinical consultation groups, in-person workshops, and retreats. I've worked with hundreds of consultees from nearly 40 countries, spanning 19 time zones.

My journey to IFS

My career began as a Wilderness Therapist in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. A decade later in Syracuse, NY, after doing clinical work indoors with families impacted by sexual trauma and disordered eating, I was burned out and considered leaving the field altogether. Discovering IFS in 2008 was a turning point, guiding me to a practice led by the clear, compassionate healing resource present within each of us Internal Family Systems calls Self.

My IFS foundation was built working individually with IFS founder, Dr. Richard Schwartz, for a year. I’ve maintained my own therapy and supervision for decades, assist in Level 1 & 2 IFS trainings, co-facilitate a monthly eating disorder consultation group with IFS Lead Trainer, Mary Kruger, LMFT, and served as sole Faculty Assistant to Dr. Schwartz at the Cape Cod Summer Institute in 2021 and 2022.

In 2010, a traumatic brain injury forced long-term social isolation and remote learning long before the global pandemic. This personal tragedy became the catalyst to gradually expand my professional focus to serve a wider, international online community of healing professionals.

I identify as a white, cisgender, heterosexual, married, childfree woman with socioeconomic stability. I appear able bodied but manage two invisible, chronic medical conditions. My commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is unwavering and infused into my groups. I’m motivated by reflective awareness, humility, conversations and accountability for my undeserved privileges.

As a lifelong adventurer and former professional road cyclist, my parts most fully relax and replenish in nature year-round even in remote, challenging conditions. Get outside to go inside! I bring this renewed Self energy, resiliency and clarity to my groups, therapy and teaching. 

Consultees and students appreciate my authenticity, honesty, skill and the supportive, vulnerable space I create for growth, connection and learning. I’ve lived throughout the US, Canada, Italy and Germany and call eastern Washington home–ancestral land of the Spokane people–with my spouse of 29 years, Erik.

Inspired by a commitment to elevate the integrity and effectiveness of mental health professionals around the world, I look forward to mentoring and supporting you in this sacred, life-changing work!

Together we can heal the world, one part at a time.

Credentials

Theoretical framework: Family Systems, Internal Family Systems, Self of the Therapist, Somatic, Emotion-focused, Experiential, Attachment & Mindfulness-based 

Areas of Specialty: IFS, Couples, Disordered Eating, Sexual Trauma, Infidelity, Secrets, Chronic Illness/Injury, Autoimmune Disease, Brain Injury, Athletes, Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), Exvangelical/Religious Trauma, Childfree Women

  • Mentor for Therapists and Healing Professionals

  • Consultant, Supervisor, Speaker, Group & Workshop Leader

  • IFS Institute Approved Clinical Consultant (since 2019)

  • AAMFT Approved Supervisor (since 2019)

  • PESI Seminar Speaker

  • Faculty Assistant to Dr. Richard Schwartz

  • IFS Level 3 Trained

  • Certified IFS Therapist (since 2010)

  • Program Assistant for the IFS Institute

  • Somatic IFS Step 1. (Step 2 completed 6/25)

  • IFIO (IFS couples therapy) Basic and Advanced.

  • Washington State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) since 2004 (#LF00002069)

  • Owner of Laura Schmidt, LMFT Private Practice since 2004

  • Clinical Fellow, (AAMFT) American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (since 2002)

  • Individual, Couple, Family and Group Psychotherapist since 1998

My career began as a wilderness therapist for families in the Sierra Nevada of CA.

My career began as a wilderness therapist for families in the Sierra Nevada of CA.

2008 March, Seattle, WA with my fellow WAMFT board members. Where my IFS journey began when Dick gave a 1 day IFS Intro at our annual conference.

2008 March, Seattle, WA with my fellow WAMFT board members. Where my IFS journey began when Dick gave a 1 day IFS Intro at our annual conference.

Grateful for 2 of my main supporters, Dick and hubby, Erik. I wouldn’t be here without them. They believed in me long before I did.

Grateful for 2 of my main supporters, Dick and hubby, Erik. I wouldn’t be here without them. They believed in me long before I did.

First in-person IFS workshop for all of us post Covid. We did it!” Cape Cod Institute July 2021

First in-person IFS workshop for all of us post Covid. We did it!” Cape Cod Institute July 2021

week of Somatic IFS in Molokai, Hawaii, with Beth O’Neil & Susan McConnell

week of Somatic IFS in Molokai, Hawaii, with Beth O’Neil & Susan McConnell

My mentor and therapist since 2009. Thank you, Ann Sinko. Where would my system be without you care and Self energy?

My mentor and therapist since 2009. Thank you, Ann Sinko. Where would my system be without you care and Self energy?

relaxing with IFS Tammy after my podcast interview on The One Inside

relaxing with IFS Tammy after my podcast interview on The One Inside

IFIO training in Danville, CA, 2019

IFIO training in Danville, CA, 2019

Level 2 PAing with Frank Anderson and Crystal Jones

Level 2 PAing with Frank Anderson and Crystal Jones

Becoming AAMFT Certified

Earning the credential of  AAMFT Approved Supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy is the most comprehensive and rigorous supervision designation in the field of therapy, counseling, and social work.

This credential took five years and required:

  • 180 hours supervising clinicians

  • 36 hours being supervised by an AAMFT Approved Supervisor

  • 30 hours of coursework specific to the nuts, bolts, ethics, dynamics, structure, and purpose of clinical supervision

  • Writing a comprehensive paper on my theory and practice of supervision for approval by a committee of academic clinicians

  • Approved Supervisors must maintain their clinical LMFT license and pass a refresher course every five years.