Meet the Team
Laura Crow,
Founder and Executive Director
Laura began her professional tattooing career in 2006, following an unexpected invitation to apprentice under master tattoo artist Steve Smith, in her hometown of San Diego. This was quite a shift from her graduate studies in Psychology, however…that background dovetailed perfectly into the intimate nature of tattoo artistry. In another fortunate twist of fate, barely out of her apprenticeship, Laura was hired by retired SEAL Master Chief Mike Martin (1949-2019) at his tattoo shop FSG, and was introduced to the world of Naval Special Warfare. Ever since, she’s worked nearly exclusively with that community on both coasts.
In 2021, Laura relocated to Virginia Beach, after COVID lockdowns in San Diego shuttered her own tattoo studio for over 6 months. Eventually, she leased a space and began transforming it into a working art studio and gathering spot for NSW operators and their families. As renovations progressed, it seemed to speak to her…asking to be made useful in a much bigger way, a far more impactful and robust manner that could bring desperately needed assistance to the NSW community as a whole. That voice, whatever it was, became Last Room.
Since its inception in 2010, many of Laura’s clients and friends have shared their experiences participating in the NICoE clinic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. With very few exceptions, the art therapy portion of this program has always been the clear favorite. Until now, no step-down initiative has existed where operators could continue their therapeutic explorations into art-making. Last Room is that place.
When Laura set foot in the world of special operations over 18 years ago she could not have predicted this moment. What began as a career quickly evolved into a passion. Clients became friends, and friends grew to be family. NSW isn’t just a community she loves. It is her community. Last Room embodies her profound personal interest in healing and growing from trauma, psychology, neuroscience, and her very first love…art. ART HEALS.
Taylor Bishop, MS, LPC, ATR-BC
Clinical Director & Art Therapist
Taylor is a board-certified licensed art therapist and licensed professional counselor. She is currently pursuing her PhD in expressive therapies, where she is researching the therapeutic implications of glassblowing.
Her clinical experience includes schools, detention centers, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and most recently private practice settings. She specializes in anxiety, depression, identity challenges and self-esteem, relationships, and grief. In addition, her personal connection to the military community informs her sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families.
Mike D,
NSW Community Director
Mike D. (BUD/S class 272) is an active duty Naval Special Warfare operator with more than 18 years of service. As a veteran of over eight combat deployments, Mike has seen and lived the immeasurable demands met by special operations forces, and the damaging physical and psychological effects these warriors are often left to deal with. Experiencing these struggles firsthand and witnessing his brothers suffer led Mike to invest in over 8 years of various individual and group therapy modalities, giving him a deep appreciation and understanding of their benefits.
Mike has also been an active artist for decades, exploring the therapeutic healing benefits of drawing, painting, and other media. In 2023, he participated in the 30-day intensive NICoE art therapy program at Walter Reed Military Hospital. There, he felt and witnessed the vast potential this unique modality has to heal the psychological wounds brought on by serving in Special Forces. Since NICoE, Mike has participated in over 40 hours of art therapy.
Mike’s dedication to his own growth and healing, a deep commitment to helping others, and his many years of service in Naval Special Warfare make him a true asset to Last Room.
Shayla Hayward-Lundy, MS, LPAT, ATR-BC, RYT
Operations Director & Art Therapist
Shayla is a board-certified, licensed art therapist with extensive experience across hospitals, psychiatric facilities, addiction treatment centers, telehealth companies, and nonprofits. She specializes in military and veteran mental health, anxiety, chronic stress, self-esteem, and substance use. Shayla integrates her additional training in yoga, mindfulness, and brain injury care to support a holistic approach to well-being.
Beyond her clinical practice, Shayla has over a decade of experience in nonprofit operations and fundraising with organizations such as USO, Blue Star Families, Warrior for Life Fund, SOF to SOM, the Military Special Operations Family Collaborative, and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Her combined expertise in therapeutic care and nonprofit management allows her to bridge clinical insight with community impact.
Kelsey Courage, MS
Art Programming Director & Art Therapist
With a passion for art and healing, Kelsey Courage brings a unique blend of creative expertise and therapeutic insight to her work. Her artistic foundation is rooted in a Bachelor of Fine Art in Metalsmithing & Jewelry Design from the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), complemented by minors in fibers and performance art. After a series of health complications, Kelsey recognized the power of not just creating art but also sharing the creative process. She achieved a Master’s in Science in Art Therapy & Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School, specializing in trauma-informed care, depth psychology, and art in medical and educational settings.
Kelsey is a proud member of multiple arts and maker communities, including the American Art Therapy Association (AATA), The Make(HER) Collective, and the 757 Makerspace. Her work is dedicated to inspiring others to express themselves creatively, whether through her jewelry designs, art workshops, or therapeutic practices.