Laura Cooley, LAc, is a licensed acupuncturist and Registered National Acupuncture Detoxification Association (NADA) Trainer. She received her acupuncture and Chinese herbal training through a 4-year apprenticeship in Austin, Texas. Nationally certified in acupuncture (NCCAOM), she holds a license in Vermont and New Hampshire. Laura is trained in Somatic Experiencing, a nervous system based trauma resolution therapy developed by Peter Levine, and Hakomi, a body-centered psychotherapy.
New England- Founder of New England Public Health Acupuncture Network, LAcs and ADSes dedicated to integrating acupuncture, ear acupuncture and other self regulating techniques into the public health system and into the hands of community members in New England.
Legislative Work- Facilitating the passage of a NADA Bill in Texas, Louisiana, Rhode Island and New Hampshire successfully allowing for AcuDetox Technicians, and advocating for expanded access to Acudetox in NH, VT and Montreal, Medicaid coverage of acupuncture for pain management.
Texas-Volunteer Director of acupuncture services for the Austin HIV Wellness Center and for 9 years in Texas and had a private practice specialized in treating those who are HIV+. Texas Organizer for the Hakomi Institute.
Disaster Work-Post 9/11, Katrina, and Gulf Oil Spill. Volunteered with CRREW (Community Relief & Rebuilding through Education and Wellness). CRREW was formed in the aftermath of 9/11, offering ear acupuncture based and wellness education to First Responders and others directly affected by the events of 9/11, the devastating Gulf Coast hurricanes, and the Gulf Oil Spill.
NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association)-
Trained over 700 professionals in the use of AcuDetox, including the staff of St Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan post 9/11, First Responders and laypersons in New Orleans after Katrina, numerous Native American Reservations and Pueblos, Vermont and Montreal. Supervises programs that use this tool in drug treatment programs, jails, hospital settings, homeless and HIV outreach programs, among others. Served as NADA’s legislative liaison, initiating and assisting in the passage of laws allowing increased access to acupuncture for the general public.
Media and Educational Tools-
For four years wrote for Guidepoints; a Professional Newsletter for Innovative Treatments for Addictions and Mental Illness.
Produced, directed, and co-edited “Unimagined Bridges, Ear Acupuncture for Disaster Trauma”, an 18-minute film documenting the ear acupuncture program at St Vincent’s Hospital in lower Manhattan, post 9/11 attacks.
Freedom & Unity: The Vermont Movie: A 9-hour documentary on the history of VT culture, Barnstorming Tour through Vermont, bookkeeping, Youth Film Contest, general assistant to the Executive Director, Nora Jacobson.