At LPA, we believe effective therapy is centered around you and your values.
While we have expertise in psychology and mental health, you are the expert on your life. Our therapy is collaborative, with the flexibility needed to help you become the best version of yourself.
Dr. Kirk Vandergrift
Founder of Laurelhurst Psychological Associates
Welcome! I'm Kirk, the founder and lead psychologist at Laurelhurst Psychological Associates. I created LPA with the mission to provide my clients with exceptional therapeutic services in a hassle-free medium, from the comfort of their home.
I recognize that these are tremendously challenging times. Political turmoil, financial stress, and general uncertainty can add further strain to our day-to-day. Whether you are seeking support and perspective amidst the various challenges in your life, or looking for a structured, evidence-based treatment for specific mental health symptoms, we are here to help.
Specialized Services
Individual Therapy
50-minute sessions driven by an evidence-based and collaborative approach. We will develop a shared conceptualization of your challenges and work together to better manage life stressors while building meaning and fulfillment in your life.
Consultation
Consulting with other providers is a key step in providing ethical and comprehensive care. We are here to provide perspective, expertise, and teamwork to other mental health professionals seeking consultation for their clinical practice. You don't have to go it alone.
Supervision
Helping train the next generation of psychologists is one of the most impactful and rewarding aspects of what we do. We provide clinical supervision rooted in evidence-based practices to psychologists-in-training, with an emphasis on cultural consciousness.
Areas of Expertise
Mood and Anxiety
Low mood and depression put a gloomy and sometimes hopeless filter on everything we see and do. Anxiety, phobias, and panic attacks can limit our ability to engage fully in life. We can help you adjust how you relate to these obstacles so that they no longer have the power to control your life and direction.
Traumatic Life Events
Combat, sexual abuse, domestic violence and other traumas can be among life's most impactful and haunting experiences. At LPA we have longstanding expertise in structured and flexible approaches to helping you process and come to terms with the your trauma, such that it no longer stands in the way of living your life.
Sleep and Insomnia
Difficulty sleeping can make every aspect of your waking life more difficult. From tools and tips to get a better night's sleep, to a full protocol of insomnia-focused treatment, we can offer a blueprint to getting you better rested and back in balance.
Relationships and Interpersonal Stress
Whether you are experiencing conflict with your partner, feeling isolated from others, or entering a new phase of life such as parenthood or retirement, our relationships are constantly evolving. We can work with you to both understand and fulfill your needs and those of the important people in your life.
What to Expect
Free 15-minute Consultation
Finding the right therapist is a deeply personal and vulnerable process. You can begin your therapeutic journey with a worry-free consultation to help you get a sense of whether LPA is a good fit for you.
During this call we can discuss what you are hoping to get out of your therapy, how we might approach treatment, and what LPA can offer to meet your wants and needs.
Intake Assessment
If you would like to proceed with therapy, we will begin with a 90-minute intake assessment in which your therapist gets a chance to know your story. Oftentimes this includes some background on your life history, an overview of your day-to-day, and a discussion of your current life challenges or mental health symptoms.
We will collaborate with you to develop a treatment plan based on a shared conceptualization of your goals and obstacles.
Personalized Therapy
Therapy proceeds flexibly based on what is most helpful to you. We are here to serve as your guide, co-pilot, and personal support, while empowering you to be in the driver's seat of your own sessions. Typically this involves meeting for 50-minute sessions once every 1-2 weeks, until you feel you have met your personal goals and are ready to proceed independently, with added strength, flexiblity and perspective.