Kimberly LaPorte, MSW, LCSW-S
Your story matters to me.
All my life, I’ve been captivated by stories—reading them, writing them, watching Hollywood dramas or historical documentaries, and listening to my grandfather’s tall tales. Stories help us understand who we are, how we relate to others, and how we move through the world. They can either inspire healing or keep us stuck. I believe the stories we tell ourselves have the power to transform us.
I became a therapist because I know what it’s like to carry a story that feels too heavy, too confusing, or too silent. My own journey includes both tragedy and triumph. For years, I was stuck inside a self-defeating narrative—until I discovered the power of reclaiming my voice. We can’t change the past, but we can choose what comes next. Let your story be one of growth, reclamation, and empowerment.
Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it... Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.
— Brene Brown
For the past 20 years, I’ve walked alongside others as they heal and reclaim their truth. My background is diverse and eclectic, and provides me with a great number of tools to help my clients. I’ve worked as a therapeutic foster care trainer, directed youth therapeutic recreation programs, was an assistant director for two residential mental health programs for children 5-17, and I worked as a behavioral specialist and extensively in community mental health and case management. My specialty has always been focused in trauma recovery—particularly for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, spiritual and systemic abuse, and complex PTSD. I’ve served as a trainer, clinician, advocate and outreach coordinator for organizations like InterAct of Wake County and Compass Center for Women and Families.
After birthing my two children at home and assisting others during delivery as a Doula, my work with women became focused on reproductive transitions—from Pre/Postnatal support, healing from birth trauma and loss, providing education and access to informed reproductive choices and best practices for best outcomes, all the way through hormonal changes in the menopausal years. I love helping couples navigate the beginning stages of parenthood and parent coaching from an attachment and positive behavior reinforcement approach. Additionally I have both professional and personal experience with Hospice work and enjoy “Death Doula” work, helping families find peace, spiritual connectedness and closure as they transition their loved ones.
In private practice, I bring a warm, compassionate, humorous and a “tell-it-like-it-is” presence. My approach is integrative and body-based, rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Somatic Experiencing, Polyvagal and Attachment Theory Informed, and Psychodynamic. I’m also EAGALA-certified and deeply attuned to the healing power of animals—having ridden horses and trained dogs all my life and witnessed their spiritual wisdom in therapy settings.
As a licensed clinical social worker, I see individuals through both a personal and systemic lens. Social work is inherently political, and my work addresses the impact of trauma within broader systems—particularly spiritual, racial, and cultural oppression. I provide affirming care to LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. As a bisexual, cisgender able bodied neurodivergent woman married for 18 years and a proud mom to two teens, I aim live what I teach every day. I believe in the body’s innate ability to heal when we tap into its divine wisdom, and I am passionate about helping women reconnect to their inner voice, their power and THRIVE!
Healing begins when we feel seen, safe, and supported. I would be honored to hear your story—and walk with you as you write the next beautiful chapter.
My additional certifications include:
- Masters of Clinical Social Work from Boston University 2016
- Bachelor of Psychology and Theater Arts from University of Arizona 2003
- Certified LMSW Supervisor by the National Board of Social Workers
- Certified Functional Mental Health Practioner
- Certification in Neuroscience for Mental Health Providers
- Somatic Experiencing Practioner (2.0 intermediate)
- Certified Internal Family Systems Level 1
- Certified Complex PTSD Practioner
- Certified ADHD and Neurodivergence Specialist
- Certified Family Centered Treatment Specialist
- Certified Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association Provider
- National Certified Professional Organizer
- Certified Event Planner