Laurel Wade

Empowering clients to pursue their most valued goals through challenges to health and emotional well-being, Dr. Laurel Wade brings a unique blend of evidence-based practices and a multicultural lens to her work as a licensed clinical psychologist. With a focus on health psychology, Dr. Wade specializes in helping individuals navigate chronic pain, adjust to chronic illness or injury, address disordered eating and body image concerns, and implement health-promoting lifestyle changes.

Dr. Wade's approach is grounded in fostering resilience, not just to cope with challenges, but to build positive emotions, work confidently toward goals, and maintain fulfilling relationships. She skillfully integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and positive psychology approaches, tailoring treatment plans to capitalize on each individual's strengths. This holistic and collaborative approach ensures that clients receive personalized care that addresses their unique needs and goals.

In her practice, Dr. Wade prioritizes creating a safe, trusting, and even fun environment where clients feel empowered to confront painful emotions and make courageous changes toward improved well-being. She views her clients through a multicultural lens, affirming the expertise each individual brings to therapy from their values and lived experiences. This approach allows for a deeply respectful and inclusive therapeutic relationship.

Dr. Wade's extensive training and diverse clinical experiences have shaped her expertise. She earned her B.S. in Psychology with a second major in Spanish language and cultures from Samford University, followed by her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Texas A&M University. Her APA-accredited predoctoral internship at American University's Student Counseling Center further honed her skills. Dr. Wade has practiced in various settings, including community mental health clinics, primary care behavioral health, and university counseling centers, giving her a broad perspective on mental health care.

Clients working with Dr. Wade can expect a compassionate, collaborative approach that combines evidence-based techniques with a deep respect for individual experiences and cultural backgrounds. Whether addressing chronic health conditions, navigating life transitions, or working through anxiety and depression, Dr. Wade is committed to helping her clients build resilience, pursue their goals, and achieve lasting well-being.