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Spotlight: Laura Syvertson, LCSW

posted at 2026-02-19 09:51:00
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Greetings!  My name is Laura Syvertson, and I am a licensed clinical social worker. I worked in the Ithaca region in the early 2010s at CARS and at Ithaca College's CAPS. After moving to Pennsylvania and working at two college counseling centers (IUP and Lafayette College), I returned to Ithaca in 2020 and served as a school social worker at BJM Elementary School. I opened a part-time private practice in September 2024 and turned that into my full-time vocation in September 2025. 

My passion is working with couples. I am relational in approach and care deeply about fostering connection and strengthening relationships. I am also a lover of group therapy, but haven't yet found a way to incorporate this into my private practice. I love living in Ithaca for its wonderful outdoor spaces, and I am grateful we moved back here in 2020. 

What advice would you give to someone considering therapy for the first time but feeling nervous or unsure?

I would lead with acknowledging the difficulty of starting a new relationship and process. That nervous energy can be channeled to take the necessary steps, such as scheduling a first appointment or making an initial phone call. If figuring out who is in-network is a barrier, I recommend hopping on IRTG or Headway to find in-network therapists. 

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in mental health?

I appreciate the therapist listserv, as it often brings my awareness to current events both locally and on a broader scale. I also love reading books and will wait for as long as necessary for library copies of newly released and relevant books to become available. I haven't attended in-person conferences in a few years, but I do love the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) annual meeting (now called "Connect") and highly recommend it to anyone interested in group work. The Psychotherapy Networker is also an amazing conference to attend to keep myself up to date with the field.

What are some of your favorite resources (books, podcasts, etc.) for mental health and personal growth?

My favorite resources are related to couples counseling. I enjoy Esther Perel's podcasts (i.e. Where Should We Begin?), the Gottman books (all of them, but "Fight Right" is a current fav), and the show Couples Therapy. I also often encourage clients who are parents to check out Dr. Becky's materials, especially her book "Good Inside".

 What are some of the most rewarding aspects of your work as a therapist?

That is a big question! I am often inspired by my work and am regularly struck by people's capacity for growth, love and learning. I believe moments of self-forgiveness or cultivating forgiveness for others are among my most treasured. The empathy and understanding that leads to forgiveness is hard work, and then the gift of being more at peace with yourself or another is very fulfilling to witness.