Laura Girlando, M.Ed., LMHC – Director of Infant Mental Health
Laura started her journey as a mental health counselor with Tykes and Teens, first as a Masters Level Student Intern and then as a staff member since 2016. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor for Mental Health Consultation Interns. Laura is also a certified in Child Parent Psychotherapy and Circle of Security, and she is trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Perinatal Mental Health. She is working toward her Prenatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C).
Laura joined Tykes & Teens as a Master’s Level Student Intern in the Fall of 2015, became an Infant Mental Health therapist in the Spring of 2016, the Martin County Program Coordinator for Infant Mental Health in the Fall of 2018, and was promoted to Lead Program Coordinator in Fall of 2020, before becoming the Director of Infant Mental Health in 2021.
Prior to Tykes & Teens, Laura had planned and completed most of her schooling and certification to become an elementary school teacher (before that inspiring to be an Art Education Teacher!), while working full-time as an executive assistant for a local management company. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s of Education (M.Ed.) with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Laura has roots in Frederick, Maryland, where she was born and raised by her two parents (both retired teachers), with her two older sisters.
Laura enjoys being inspired by the children, caregivers, team members and community partners she works with each day. She loves that Tykes & Teens values the life-long learning of their team members, as well as the client-centered focus on devotion to increasing each child’s voice, no matter how big or small. She says she is deeply honored to be a facilitator for growth and adversity and helping families heal through safe relationships.
When not working, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter (who she says are her biggest cheerleaders), going on walks, creating vision boards, reading books on self-empowerment, and engaging in creative art-making activities.
