Laura Turner-Essel

Laura Turner-Essel is adjunct faculty in the Department of Transformative Social Change at Saybrook University, where she teaches Ecological Psychology and Community Organizing for Health & Well-being. She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology (University of Akron, 2013) and a B.A. in Psychology (Bowling Green State University, 2003). Her work bridges mental health, racial justice, and community education.

She concurrently serves as Program Manager in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, leading ethics research, co-leading The Belonging Project workshops, and managing the Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X). Previously, she directed community programs at the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (UC Santa Cruz), focusing on conflict resolution and food access.

Laura specializes in mindfulness programs, restorative circles, and support groups for marginalized communities engaged in social justice work. Her expertise spans clinical psychology, multiculturalism, and intersectional community health.