Meet Laurie Strand | Licensed Mental Health Therapist, Yoga Instructor & Senior Faculty for The Trauma Resource Institute

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laurie Strand and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laurie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I worked for 14 years in the non-profect sector, community mental health, and in school-based mental health in public education. I loved and still love serving my community in a variety of capacities. As I began to entertain the idea of starting my own business, I began to explore working for myself through the formation of what many call a “side hustle.” When I began doing some business exploration on the side,I realized that I could share more of my talents in a way that felt more genuine and true to myself. While I enjoyed the work that I did in the agencies, organizations, and schools I worked for, I was, understandably, being asked to fill the roles they wanted me to, without much room for creativity and growth potential. After the pandemic, I realized that I wanted to explore mental health and therapy in a way that more fully resonated with me!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am deeply committed to effecting real systemic change, particularly in educating others about the biological impacts of stress on our nervous systems and how it affects our overall physical and mental health. My focus lies in dismantling misconceptions, emphasizing that these effects are rooted in biology, not indicative of mental weakness. Utilizing principles of neuroscience, I strive to engage individuals who may not otherwise seek out supports focused on well-being and mental health.

In addition, I find fulfillment in providing one-on-one support through somatic-based therapies, teaching yoga, and experiential therapeutic approaches, aiming to foster individual well-being and traumatic reprocessing. As a Senior Faculty of The Trauma Resource Institute, and through private training and consulting, I am profoundly passionate about collaborating with schools, organizations, and businesses to integrate practices that promote the well-being of their staff and foster cultural shifts, which are primarily rooted in the evidence-based model The Community Resiliency Model.
I firmly believe in the transformative power of nervous system regulation and community as agents of health and growth.

A source of immense pride for me is navigating the path of entrepreneurship as a woman, and thriving in the rural landscape of northwest mountain and resort towns. Despite witnessing many peers relocate for what is described as “greater opportunities”, my soul finds its home in the mountains of the west. While I relish opportunities to travel and engage with diverse communities, landscapes, and cities, there’s a special joy in returning home to the mountains. Celebrating my third year as a fully self-employed individual, I acknowledge the steep learning curve and the relentless effort it has demanded. Through Resiliency Rising, my mission is to amplify what we already know but often forget, fostering growth and resilience in ourselves and our communities.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I LOVE where I live, and I love when people visit because then I get to be a tourist in my town which is usually filled with tourists! Our family has had property out Warm Springs road in Sun Valley for over 100 years now. We still own 11 acres, much of which is on Warm Springs Creek Riverfront. Before I say more, I do want to pay respects to the Shoshone-Bannock first-nation who migrated, or lived long-term in the Wood River Valley region. With that said, I would first take them out to our property, and hopefully ride one of my most favorite mountain bike rides out the canyon. I’d then head back to property where my camper is and make some buffalo burgers from a local buffalo rancher our family knows in Southern Idaho, as well as eat some local produce grown from our friends in Bellevue, Idaho — Sara & Ed of Squash Blossom Farm (you should DEFINITELY meet these two gems!), and have a little campfire and make some really good fireside cocktails.
The next day we’d head north to Stanley, Idaho and ride bikes along the way. We’d take our paddle boards and check out Redfish Lake, eat some really good fish tacos and drink their special Paloma, and of course have some soft serve. We’d either campout, or splurge and stay at The High Country Inn in Stanley. That night, we’d hopefully visit the Casino Club as they often have great live music, and fun street parties on Thursday nights in the summer. I’d take them to The Stanley Baking Co to eat some of the best breakfast to be found! Then we’d head out on a hike, bike, or spend a lazy day by the river. Heading back south, I’d love to share some of the best of Ketchum. I love the ballet and the symphony in the summer at Sun Valley. I’d set up a beautiful picnic in the lawn at The Sun Valley pavilion next to the Sun Valley lodge and enjoy watching world-class art and music as the sun is setting, with views of both Dollar and Bald Mountain in the background. My favorite restaurants that I’d want to share would be Rickshaw and Cookbook. Hands down creative, beautiful, and thoughtful food. For lunch we’d visit my friends the Rasberries, at their eclectic restaurant “Rasberries.” Heading further south, is the town I live in, Hailey, with my partner, my two bonus children, dog and cat. I’d take them on a walk down by the Draper Preserve which is just a block from our house, and ride bikes out Democrat Canyon or Croy Canyon. We’d ride our bikes up to Ck’s “slow food” restaurant who buys as much locally sourced food as possible and serves incredible cocktails and wine. We’d also have to visit Della Cafe and Black Owl for some killer coffee and great morning bites! Powerhouse is a must for high-quality pub food and incredible ever changing beer list! Looks like I have quite a few more questions to answer and I’ve been writing for almost an hour…..i need to move to the next one!

I adore the valley I call home and relish the chance to play tourist when visitors come, infusing my enthusiasm into their experience. With deep familial roots dating back over a century to our property out Warm Springs Road in Sun Valley, I want to first pay homage to the ancestral Shoshone-Bannock inhabitants of the Wood River Valley. Inviting guests to explore our property, nestled along the serene Warm Springs Creek Riverfront, I’d share one of my most favorite single-track mountain bike rides further out the canyon. Returning to our camper, I’d whip up some buffalo burgers sourced from a local rancher, a friend of our family in Southern Idaho, accompanied by fresh produce from our friends at Squash Blossom Farm in Bellevue. As the evening settles, we’d gather around a campfire, crafting artisanal fireside cocktails and share in some spectacular views of the milky way.

The following day, we’d venture north to Stanley, embarking on another favorite mountain bike ride and cool off in the tranquil waters of Redfish Lake atop our paddle boards. We’d indulge in some fish tacos and signature Palomas, and savor the laid-back ambiance before retiring to the rustic charm of The High Country Inn or possibly a cozy tent. In the evening, we’d enjoy live music at the Casino Club and the next morning make our way to The Stanley Baking Co for their famous Oatmeal Pancakes, though I love all their savory dishes too.

Returning southward to Ketchum, I’d share the cultural extravagance of living in a rural resort town and enjoy the summer ballet and symphony performances. Picnicking on the lawn of The Sun Valley Pavilion, we’d enjoy world-class artistry against the backdrop of Dollar and Bald Mountain. Rickshaw and Cookbook would be high on the list of dinner locations, while Rasberries would be visted for lunch or a killer cookie, or two!

Continuing south to Hailey, where my family and I live, we’d go for a walk through the Draper Preserve and of course head out for some more mountain bike trails out Democrat or Croy Canyon. I’d have to share CK’s “slow food” haven, where locally sourced ingredients are part of most every dish, complemented by incredible cocktails and a very thoughtful wine list. No visit would be complete without some coffee and treats from both Della Cafe and Black Owl, or the Powerhouse, renowned for its high quality and creative pub fare and dynamic beer selection.

I could go on and on!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people to give a shoutout to! First, one of my mentors in the beginning stages of my experiential therapy career is Tim Ballard in Missoula, Montana. He started a program called The Youth Harvest Project, a therapeutic, service-oriented, work program for teen furthest from opportunity. This is a project of the non-profit Garden City Harvest in Missoula. Tim supported me in completing my undergrad degree and moving forward with my masters in Social Work. He also handed the program off to me to lead, grow, and expand — providing me with supervision, and support as I continued to gain skills in leadership, program development and experiential therapeutics. Garden City Harvest and Tim helped me begain my journey in learning the power of experiential ways of working with individuals, developed my love for farming, and showed me that my true passion lies in being of service to others, while taking care of myself as well.
There have been countless mentors along the way! I could go on and on.

Website: www.resiliency-rising.com

Instagram: @laurie.irene

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-strand-lcsw-0052014a/

Facebook: Laurie Strand

Image Credits
Photos taken by AMANDA RENE PHOTOGRAPHY