Hello, I’m Lauren Matos, and I’m here to support you on your journey toward healing. With 12 years of experience providing therapy for trauma, addiction, and anxiety, I understand the challenges these struggles can bring. My approach is rooted in empathy, compassion, and non-judgment, creating a safe space where you can openly explore and work through the issues you’re facing. Together, we will identify your strengths and develop personalized strategies to help you overcome obstacles and move toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. I’m committed to providing the understanding and support you need to feel empowered and resilient as you work toward lasting change.
For the first session, we will go over your reasons for signing up for therapy, along with your history, and discuss your goals. Feel free to ask questions of both the therapy process and of myself, as a strong-working relationship is key to your healing.
My strengths are my ability to break down complex information into easy to understand bits. I am also strong at empowering my clients to take charge of their lives and take back their power from others who work to keep them small and broken. I tend to use a lot of metaphors to help with building understanding and also humor to assist with keeping things down to earth. I am also a direct person and I think this helps to show authenticity, as you will always know what to expect in terms of my personality and our interactions.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapy that helps clients process and heal from negative experiences that may still affect their daily lives. By focusing on specific traumatic or distressing memories, EMDR works to desensitize the emotional impact and replace these negative associations with more adaptive thoughts. This process enables clients to reduce the emotional intensity of these experiences, allowing them to move forward with a greater sense of peace and empowerment. Through EMDR, clients can gain relief from painful memories and begin to reconnect with their inner strengths.
I often tailor my approach based on the individual needs of my clients and, therefore, it is often necessary to combine approaches to help a person get the most out of their sessions.
Using motivational interviewing, I work collaboratively with clients to explore and resolve any ambivalence they might feel about making changes. This approach helps clients clarify their own motivations and values, making it easier for them to identify goals that truly matter to them. By focusing on clients’ strengths, encouraging their own ideas for solutions, and helping them build self-confidence, I support them in taking manageable steps toward their goals. This process is rooted in empathy and non-judgment, empowering clients to achieve personal growth at their own pace.
Through reality therapy, I help clients focus on the present moment and identify actions they can take to improve their lives right now. By working together to explore their choices and how these align with their core needs and goals, clients can learn to manage anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges more effectively. Reality therapy emphasizes taking responsibility for one’s actions and developing solutions that are practical and achievable. This approach empowers clients to make positive changes in their lives, resulting in improved mental health and more fulfilling relationships.