Laurie Black, Ph.D.

Hi, I am Dr. Laurie Black, a licensed Clinical Psychologist providing individual therapy to adults (18 years and above) for a wide range of mental health concerns. 

I earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. I then completed an internship at James J. Peters VA Medical Center in Bronx, NY, and a fellowship at Tampa General Hospital in FL. I am trained to treat most psychological conditions, with specific areas of specialization: anxiety, mood disorders, and trauma. 

My clinical training and experience involves over 10 years working at VA medical centers, hospitals, and U.S. military bases, all which require a high standard of patient care using evidence-based treatments. I am happy to now provide that level of care in private practice.

Throughout my life, I spent years working and volunteering in culturally vibrant metropolitan areas (New York City, Seattle, Nashville, San Francisco) where I interacted with individuals of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. I believe that this helped inform my clinical work with diverse populations, and has contributed to my ability to be open-minded, respectful, approachable, and receptive to others’ unique needs.

Major life events helped inspire me to pursue psychology and deepened my curiosity in trauma and human resilience. While living in Manhattan, I personally experienced September 11th and the aftermath. In addition, I have survived my share of hurricanes as a native Floridian. This has provided me with a more personal understanding of life-threatening events, and has added to my ability to empathize with and help those impacted by trauma. It is within our nature to be resilient, but horrible experiences can be overwhelming, almost unbearable, often leading to unhealthy ways to cope. I see my job as a psychologist as an honor and a great responsibility, to be able to instill hope and help others overcome and persevere.

In my clinical approach, I keep in mind that people are not just what they initially present. They are multifaceted with unique histories and challenges that tend to be uncovered throughout the therapeutic process.Therefore, treatment cannot be formulaic, with one orientation applied to all. I have found that an integrative approach best respects the complexities of my clients and their treatment goals, with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as a strong basis for treating many conditions.

Your life is important and unique. I would like to help you reflect on what matters to you personally, areas where you think you are stuck, and how you can empower yourself and move forward with confidence. 

I believe, as Ralph Waldo Emerson stated: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

On a personal note, as a 4th generation resident of Pinellas County, I feel incredibly passionate about our beaches and wildlife. In my spare time, I enjoy biking Florida trails, volunteering with beach clean-ups, helping injured animals, and just appreciating the sights that the Gulf coast provides. I feel very connected to nature and humbled by its beauty.