Hi! I’m Laurel

 Dr. Laurel Shaler’s goal can be found in Isaiah 61:1-3… to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, to release prisoners from darkness, to comfort all who mourn, and to bestow joy! 

In order to help others, Laurel earned her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University in 2005 (and is a Licensed Social Worker) and earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University in 2011 (and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and National Certified Counselor). She also holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University. Dr. Shaler is a Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Practitioner and a Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) Facilitator. 

Laurel has a  wide variety of clinical experiences including working with adolescents, veterans, couples, and groups.  Her private practice focuses on helping women with parenting and work-life balance.  She also has a passion for adoptive and foster families, and works with caregivers on attachment based interventions. Additionally, she provides assessments for prospective adoptive parents (including embryo adoption).

After serving as an adjunct at several institutions, Dr. Laurel Shaler has been a core faculty member at Liberty University since 2012, where she has served in various leadership roles as a department chair and program director. Most recently, she served as a program director in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, co-leading a program with over 10,000 students. She is a member of numerous professional organizations, and actively presents and publishes.  Having had a range of research interests, Laurel is currently focused on learning from adult adoptees.

In addition to her professional work, Laurel has been featured on many Christian  podcasts and radio programs, including Boundless by Focus on the Family, Building Relationships with Gary Chapman, and FamilyLife Today. Check out the speaking tab for more information, or contact Laurel to speak to your group. Laurel has also been published in the well-known Extraordinary Women, P31 Woman, and Lifeway’s Journey Magazines. In addition to her years of blogging (now on hiatus), she has written for many other well known publications. Check out the writing tab for links. 

Laurel’s first  book “Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events” was released by David C. Cook (2017), and her second book “Relational Reset: Unlearning the Habits that Hold You Back” was released by Moody Publishers (2019). Her most recent book was co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman and is titled, “Loving Adopted Children Well: a 5 Love Languages Approach” (Moody, 2024). You can learn more by clicking on the “Books” tab. 

Laurel, her husband Nick, and their three precious children live in the deep south.  Laurel enjoys spending time with family and friends, being involved in church activities & ministries, and volunteering with many local organizations. She loves the Lord, her family, her friends, and all the sweets.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed on this page belong solely to Dr. Laurel Shaler, and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization she is affiliated with.