Laura Delano

Laura Delano is a writer, consultant, and psychiatric liberation activist recognized for her leadership in mental health advocacy and reform. As the founder and executive director of Inner Compass Initiative, a nonprofit organization, Delano has focused her career on empowering individuals to make informed choices about psychiatric diagnoses, medications, and withdrawal. Her work is curated by her extensive experience within the mental health system, which she navigated for more than a decade before becoming a leading voice for patient autonomy and systemic change.

Delano’s professional achievements include the publication of her memoir, "Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance," which blends personal narrative with a critical examination of modern psychiatry and the pharmaceutical industry. Through her writing, public speaking, and media appearances—including features in national outlets such as The New Yorker—she has raised awareness about the complexities and challenges of psychiatric drug withdrawal, the importance of informed consent, and the need for alternative approaches to mental health care. Her initiatives, including The Withdrawal Project, have provided resources and community support for individuals seeking to transition away from psychiatric medications.

A Harvard graduate, Delano is known for her expertise in mental health advocacy, her ability to articulate the lived experience of psychiatric patients, and her commitment to ethical, person-centered care. She consults with individuals, families, and professionals, and has served on the boards of organizations such as the International Society for Ethical Psychology and Psychiatry. Delano’s journey from patient to advocate, and her willingness to publicly discuss the challenges she has overcome, underscore her credibility and impact as a public speaker and thought leader in the movement for mental health reform.