Laurie Pennington

Laurie graduated with a B.S. in Biopsychology and a minor in French and Zoology from Louisiana State University in 2001; an MSW from Louisiana State University in 2005; and a PhD in Social work from New York University in 2017. She obtained her LCSW in 2009. She has over 20 years' experience in the field of social work, and has worked in the field of addiction, addiction research, geriatrics, severe and chronic mental illness in both inpatient and outpatient settings and private practice. She has taught several courses at both Southern CT State University and NYU including Research I and II, Substance Users and their Families, and Foundations of Clinical Practice. She has published articles in the journal of Substance use and Misuse. Her private practice focused on providing therapy and resources to the trans community-she is passionate about advocating for transgender rights. Currently, she works with youth in the Bridgeport Juvenile Residential Center as part of a contract with Yale University to provide suicide safety assessments and crisis intervention to youth detainees. Laurie loves to spend her time engaging as a consumer and maker of art with a special interest in film photography. She also loves to forage, collect rocks, and cook and eat what she forages. She is always reading at least 3 books of nonfiction.