Laura Hazekamp, LMSW - Clinical
She/her/hers
River City Psychological Services
Areas of care: directory categories
Reason for joining the directory
Providing support to the LGBTQ+ community is a passion of mine. When I started out, the CMHC that I worked in had no resources and no education on working with the queer and trans communities. It was vital for me to provide that, create space for that and educate my peers. The world is a scary place, especially right now. I want to make sure that the queer and trans communities have support, safe places to exist and to process, and to be able to connect them to affirming resources.
In their own words
Good allyship means stepping up and out to support the queer community. It means amplifying queer voices, educating yourself on the obstacles facing the community and shouldering the burden of educating others. Good allyship means being mindful of the emotional labor that the queer community is constantly asked to provide, and offering to help in ways that they deem helpful (not ways that YOU deem helpful). It means being humble, knowing you'll never be an expert but you can listen to queer stories and struggles and inform yourself so that you can advocate effectively. It means creating a safe, comfortable place for people to just exist - to be able to take a deep breath in and truly exhale.
Specific specialties
Languages
Inclusive practices
Intake and forms
Office environment
Location
- Grand Rapids, MI
LGBTQIA+ training
I have worked with the LGBTQ+ community for a decade, ever since starting at community mental health when I graduated with my MSW. I moved states in 2020 and sought out a practice in Grand Rapids that specifically requires providers to be affirming to the queer community. I have learned from self-study, researching topics like gender and sexuality, educating myself on gender affirming care and learning from colleagues and peers.
Practice and availability
- In person (fixed office)
- Offers virtual visits
- Serves MI