Laurie Barkin

Winner of the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year and Nautilus awards, Laurie Barkin has worked as a staff nurse and head nurse on in-patient units and day treatment centers, as a psych liaison nurse, and as a psych nursing instructor at University of San Francisco School of Nursing. Before writing The Comfort Garden: Tales from the Trauma Unit, Laurie worked for 22 years as a psychiatric nurse. Along the way, she has designed and facilitated nurse retreats and led support groups for staff. She is a consultant to the University of California, San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry, providing support for psychiatric staff at San Francisco General Hospital. She is an active member of the Bay Area Red Cross Disaster Mental Health group.

Laurie Barkin began her nursing career on a surgical ICU before transferring to psychiatric nursing. After five years working on in-patient units in and around Boston, she returned to Boston University School of Nursing and earned a masters degree in adult psychiatric nursing with a focus on psychiatric consultation-liaison nursing. During those years, Laurie sang jazz standards in dinner clubs and hotel lounges in the Boston area. These days, Laurie has neither lost her voice nor her love for singing: she practices daily and sings with friends and family at neighborhood and holiday parties.

With her husband, attorney Brian Brosnahan, Laurie raised three children.

In combining her creative spirit with her passion for nursing, Laurie continues writing and welcomes stories you would like to share about the work you do.

She has said, "In my role as a psychiatric nurse working on the surgical trauma unit at San Francisco General Hospital, I listened to hundreds of trauma stories. When I listened deeply and without judgment, my patients seemed to feel heard and validated, an uncommon experience for many. Together we examined the twists, turns, and tragedies that had complicated their lives--and the feelings that accompanied them. Working with patients in this way required all of my skills as a psych nurse. The work was meaningful and fulfilling."

Laurie Barkin is available for lectures and workshops.