Laura A. Thor, DMin, LCSW - Curriculum Vitae
Education
- Graduate Theological Foundation, Doctor of Ministry (DMin): Pastoral and Spiritual Psychotherapy, 2014.
- University of Minnesota, Master of Social Work, 1988
- University of St. Catherine, Bachelor of Arts, Theology, 1981
Licensure
- LCSW: Colorado Licensed Clinical Social Worker 989689, since 1990
Affiliations & Distinctions
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health, Member
- U of Denver supervisor to graduate psychology students
- PFLAG: Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Sponsoring Member of Highlands Ranch chapter
- LGBTQ HealthCare Guild, Denver, member
- Spiritual Directors International, member
- American Association of Pastoral Counselors, member
- Society of Pastoral Theologians, member
- Phi Beta Kappa, since 1981
Publication and Speaking Highlights
- Paper given to the Society for Pastoral Theology: “Knowing and Naming the Self: Ego, Soul and Self-Making as Divine Collaboration in Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg’s Study of Torah”; June, 2015.
- DignityUSA, Quarterly Voice, ‘Living in the Image of God,’ June, 2015.
- Article, ‘Living in the Image of God: Transgender People in Spiritual Direction, in Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction, December, 2013.
- Public address to the Transgender Day of Remembrance gathering: 2013, 2012, 2011
- Annual Presenter: Colorado Gold Rush transgender conference, on spiritual health issues
- Dissertation Project: “Living in the Image of God: A Spiritual Retreat Affirming Transgender People”:
retreat design for interfaith spiritual discernment regarding personal transition decisions - blog: TransgenderSpirit (at website www.transgenderspiritcounseling.com)
- Journal, ‘Nature and Grace: A Journal of Catholic Spirituality and Well-Being’ published quarterly from Fall 1996–Summer 1998: ‘On Being Seen, Known, and Loved: psychotherapy in service of soul’; ‘The Paradox of Intimacy: our fear of the shadow’; ‘Lenten Journeying: losing the ego, finding the indwelling Christ’; ‘Of Faith and Reality: dis-illusion and re-enchantment
Continuing Education Highlights
- Twenty-Second Biennial Symposium on Transgender Health, WPATH, 2011, Atlanta, GA
- Substance Abuse in LGBT Populations, 2014
- Twentieth Biennial Symposium on Transgender Healthcare, WPATH, 2007, Chicago
- Certification of Completion of course: Psychopharmacology Updates, 2006
- Certification in EMDR 1 & 2 (Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), 2005
- Certification of completion in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), 2004
Relevant Employment History
- Private Practice since 1990, concurrent with:
- The Centre for Behavioral Health, Denver, CO, 1999-2006, clinician
- Human Services Inc. Employee Assistance Program, Denver, CO, 1997-1999, clinician
- HSI Counseling Services, Denver, CO 1992-1996, clinician
- Charter Centennial Peaks Hospital, Louisville, CO, 1991-1992, clinician and educator
- Private Practice, Western slope of Colorado, 1990-1991
- West River Mental Health Center, Spearfish, SD 1988-1990, clinician
- St. Thomas Catholic Church, St. Paul Park, MN, 1981-1983