About Laurel

As a counselor, professor, social worker, speaker, and writer, Dr. Laurel Shaler’s goal is to live out the words of Isaiah 61:1-3…To proclaim good news to the poor, 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! Why? Because at the age of 18, Laurel experienced a life changing event when it was discovered that she had a 14 pound ovarian cyst that needed to be removed before it ruptured and killed her. Realizing that we must anchor all our emotions to God, her desire is to help others work through their own challenging experiences and grow in all areas of their lives, including faith.

In order to help others in this way, Laurel earned her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University (and is a Licensed Social Worker) and earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University (and is a National Certified Counselor). She has provided psychotherapy services to hundreds in need, many of whom were veterans of the United States Armed Forces. She is now an Associate Professor, Department Chair, and Program Director at Liberty University.

In addition to other professional interests, Laurel speaks and writes on the intersection of faith, culture, and emotional well-being, including but not limited to women’s issues; trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder; and issues related to adoption and infertility. You can learn more by visiting her speaking page.

Laurel has been published professionally and in the well-known Extraordinary Women, P31 Woman, and Lifeway’s Journey Magazines. In addition to maintaining a blog on her website, she has written for the American Association of Christian Counselors and “Coffee Break” (out of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA). She has also been a contributor to Believe.com, the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, To Save a Life, Bound4Life, For Every Mom, and more.

Laurel’s first book “Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events” was released by David C. Cook on June 1st, 2017. Learn more on the “publications” page.

Laurel and her sailor husband, Nick, live in the South, and enjoy spending time family and friends. They are excited to be adopting! Laurel enjoys being involved in church activities & ministries, keeping up with political & world news, and volunteering with local organizations.

Note: I agree with Southern Baptist Convention Baptist Faith & Message (2000).

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.

To learn more about Dr. Laurel Shaler, including her professional