LAURA GOMEZ-WEAKLEY, LPC, Med, MHed, NCC
EDUCATION
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M.ED., Master of Education - University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. August 1995.
Major emphasis: General Counseling
M.H.ED., Master of Health Education - Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. August 1987.
Major emphasis: Health Education and Gerontology
B.S., Bachelor of Science - Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. August 1984.
Major: Health Education
Minor: Coaching
WORK EXPERIENCE
Over 30- years of specialized training and work experience teaching, counseling and performing biofeedback therapy for patients and students with stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. Have developed chronic pain and stress management programs for hospitals and universities. Skilled in curriculum development and health education. Versatile counselor and instructor with broad range of counseling and teaching experiences.
Private Practice /Consultant, Professor, 1986 - present
Conduct individual, marital and group counseling for clients with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and stress related problems. Developed curriculum and present one-to-four hour lectures on relaxation and stress management to pulmonary rehabilitation programs, correctional facilities and corporations. Conduct biofeedback and MMPI II testing. Taught for University of Phoenix-Denver and online. Classes include: general health, nutrition, communication skills for nurses, and human relations/organizational behavior in the health care setting.
Pain Program Coordinator: HealthSouth Rehabilitation of Utah, Sandy, Utah, 1995 - 1998
Organized and coordinated the chronic pain program which included: liaison for patients, doctors, and third party payors. In addition, designed and taught the curriculum for the educational pain classes, conducted individual biofeedback, psychological testing, treatment plans and discharge summaries for the six month pain program. Development of oncology program and headache clinic stress program. Other duties required the organization of outpatient case management. Developed patient workbook, “Roads To Recovery” which included 20 lessons on managing and living with chronic pain.
Instructor: Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1988 - 1995
Developed and taught 14-week class on stress management pros and cons, cognitive restructuring, hypnosis for test anxiety, autogenics, progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, psychoneuroimmunology, grieving, anger, anxiety, and relaxation skills.
Counselor: Intermountain Pain Management Center, Orem, Utah, 1992 - 1995
Designed the biofeedback program. Met weekly with the interdisciplinary team to discuss treatment and progress of patients. Performed group counseling to teach stress management; cognitive restructuring; psychoneuroimmunology; relaxation techniques; and grieving, anger, and anxiety coping skills. Completed intake and treatment plans. Developed neurofeedback program for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
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Biofeedback Therapist: Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Provo, Utah, 1986 - 1992
Counseled, performed biofeedback, designed and ran support groups for chronic pain, anxiety, and depressed patients. Completed intake and treatment plans. Set up biofeedback and stress management therapy for pulmonary rehabilitation, chemical dependency and eating disorder programs.
INTERNSHIPS AND ASSISTANTSHIPS
Counseling Internship: University of Utah, 1994
Intermountain Pain Management Center - Supervised by Eugene T. Buckner, Ph.D. Counseled patients for chronic pain, depression, anxiety, marital problems, and stress. Private Practice - Supervised by Bradley Edgington, Ph.D. Counseled patients for depression, anxiety, and stress and chronic pain.
Internship: Seville Retirement Center, 1985 - 1986
For Gerontology Certification, provided recreation and entertainment for the elderly.
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Brigham Young University, 1985 - 1986
Taught general education health, advanced first aid, and CPR to undergraduates.
VOLUNTEER WORK
Arapahoe Suicide: September 29, 2018-present
Providing pro bono trauma therapy to high school kids who lost two friends to suicide in 4 days.
Aurora Theatre Shooting: July 29, 2012
Arapahoe High School Shooting: December 13, 2013
American Red Cross: September 11, 2001
Worked with people stranded at Denver International Airport
Co-Therapist: Utah County AIDS Support Group, 1991 - 1994
Worked with family members of AIDS patients to help them understand their feelings about their loved ones. Dealt with death and dying issues and supported those with AIDS through the dying process.
Counselor: Utah County Rape Crisis Team, 1984 - 1985
On-call volunteer. Met rape victims at hospitals to support them through their rape exams. Performed follow-up support and made referrals for additional counseling when needed.
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PROFESSIONAL
Licenses:
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) state of Colorado, #LPC0001883
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) state of Utah, #97-309614-6004 (expired)
Certifications:
National Certified Counselor (NCC), #43370, April 1998
Certified Biofeedback Therapist #3604
Certified Gerontologist
Certified Hypnotherapist
Utah Secondary Teaching Certification: Health and coaching endorsement
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CEU’s Continuing Education:
Over 600 educational hours completed from 1998-2018.