Retta Laumann, LMSW
Psychotherapist & Child Centered Play Therapist
About Me
What matters most to me in therapy is creating the kind of relationship where a child or teen can feel safe enough to be fully themselves. I bring warmth, curiosity, humor, and creativity into the room, and I work collaboratively with young people and their families to understand what is happening beneath the surface - not just the behavior that others may see. My goal is to help children and teens feel deeply understood while building the confidence, insight, and skills they need to navigate their world more successfully.
I am especially passionate about supporting children and teens navigating anxiety, emotional dysregulation, social challenges, identity development, and executive functioning difficulties. I draw from play, art, CBT-based approaches, and other developmentally appropriate interventions, adapting therapy to each young person’s personality, strengths, and needs.
My Approach
Because play is the natural language of children, much of my work with younger children takes place through child-directed play. Drawing on my training at the Yale Child Study Center and my experience working with children and families, I use play to help children express emotions, process experiences, build coping skills, and feel understood in ways that may be difficult to put into words.
Collaboration with parents and caregivers is also central to my approach. I work closely with families to deepen their understanding of their child’s emotional world, strengthen the parent-child relationship, and foster secure attachment. I provide an accepting, supportive space for parents to reflect on challenges, gain insight into their child’s needs and experiences, and develop meaningful ways to support their child at home.
I am also deeply committed to providing affirming, identity-affirming therapy for LGBTQ+ youth, including trans, nonbinary, and queer young people, as well as neurodivergent youth. My work is grounded in deep respect for each young person’s unique identity, strengths, and lived experience, and I strive to create a space where young people feel seen, celebrated, and fully themselves - without having to explain or defend who they are.
Education
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Yale School of Medicine, Post Graduate Fellowship In Child and Adolescent Mental Health
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Virginia Commonwealth University, Master of Social Work
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Baldwin Wallace University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting
