Licensed to practice in California and accepts 49 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Trauma and PTSD and 6 more.
(she/her)
Often rebooked
I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and for over 25 years I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside people on their healing journeys. My work has included supporting adults, children ages 3–18, transitional age youth, families, and young people facing behavioral health challenges. Over the years, I’ve worked with individuals navigating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post‑traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and personality disorders. What I love most about this work is helping people discover their own capacity to heal and grow. I draw from approaches like CBT, DBT, supportive therapy, trauma‑informed care, and strength‑based therapy. At the same time, I believe therapy is never one‑size‑fits‑all. Each person is unique, and together we’ll find the approach that feels right for you. Above all, I believe you are the expert of your own life. My role is to provide a safe, affirming space and a supportive relationship where you can explore, grow, and move toward the life you want
During our first session we will explore your reasons for seeking therapy at this time in your life. We will gather pertinent information and clarify treatment goals. Most of all, we will begin to get to know each other and start building a therapeutic alliance.
Strengths I Bring to My Sessions Warmth — I create a welcoming, compassionate space where clients feel safe to share openly. My presence helps people feel cared for and supported, even when they’re facing difficult emotions. Empathy — I listen deeply and strive to understand each person’s unique experience. This allows me to connect with clients in a way that validates their feelings and helps them feel truly seen. Authenticity — I show up as a genuine human being, not just a clinician. Clients can trust that I am real, honest, and present with them, which builds a strong foundation for our work together. Intelligence — I bring decades of knowledge and clinical expertise, but I also use insight and creativity to tailor therapy to each individual. My intelligence helps me integrate different approaches and find strategies that fit each client’s needs. Together, these strengths allow me to offer a therapeutic relationship that is both supportive and empowering. Clients experience sessions as a place where they can grow, heal, and discover new possibilities for themselves.
An ideal client is someone who’s ready to explore their inner world with openness and courage. They may not have all the answers—most people don’t—but they’re willing to look inward, reflect on patterns, and experiment with new ways of being. They value authenticity and are prepared to share their thoughts and emotions honestly, even when vulnerability feels challenging. They understand that therapy is a collaborative process: they bring their lived experience, and the therapist brings tools, insight, and support. This client is motivated to make meaningful changes, whether that means healing old wounds, improving relationships, or building a stronger sense of self. They show up consistently, engage thoughtfully, and remain curious about their own growth. Above all, the ideal client believes in the possibility of change. They’re ready to invest in themselves, embrace discomfort as part of the process, and work toward a life that feels more aligned, grounded, and fulfilling.
Cash - $140 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Blue Shield of California - Medicare
Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
IHSS Healthy Workers
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Keystone 65 HMO
Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO
L.A. Care Covered
L.A. Care Covered Direct
L.A. Care PASC-SEIU
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Scripps Health Plan
Surest (formerly Bind)
Sutter Health Plan
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
I use CBT as a practical, evidence‑based framework that helps clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In session, we work together to identify the patterns that keep them stuck—whether that’s self‑critical thinking, avoidance, or automatic reactions that no longer serve them. Once those patterns are visible, we can begin to shift them in intentional, sustainable ways. CBT in my practice is collaborative and tailored rather than rigid. I don’t simply teach skills; I help clients apply them in real time to the situations that matter most. That often includes: Thought work — noticing automatic thoughts, evaluating their accuracy, and practicing more balanced alternatives. Behavioral strategies — identifying avoidance cycles, building approach behaviors, and experimenting with new actions that support growth. Emotion regulation — helping clients understand how thoughts shape feelings and how small cognitive shifts can reduce emotional intensity. Skill practice — using worksheets, journaling prompts, or between‑session experiments to reinforce what we’re working on in therapy. I integrate CBT with a warm, relational approach. Clients aren’t just learning techniques—they’re developing insight, confidence, and self‑trust. CBT becomes a tool for empowerment: a way to understand themselves more clearly and make choices that align with their values.
I use DBT as a practical, skills‑based approach that helps clients navigate intense emotions, build healthier coping strategies, and create a more stable, grounded life. In my work, DBT isn’t just a set of worksheets—it’s a collaborative process where clients learn to understand their emotional experiences and respond to them with greater clarity and intention. DBT in my practice focuses on four core areas, each woven into sessions based on the client’s needs: Mindfulness skills — helping clients slow down, observe their internal experience, and respond rather than react. Distress tolerance — building the ability to survive emotional crises without making things worse. Emotion regulation — understanding emotional patterns, reducing vulnerability, and increasing emotional stability. Interpersonal effectiveness — strengthening communication, boundaries, and relationship skills. In session, I help clients identify the dialectics—the “both/and” truths—that shape their lives. They learn to hold two realities at once: acceptance of where they are and commitment to meaningful change. This balance becomes a foundation for growth. My DBT approach is structured but flexible. I integrate skills training with a supportive therapeutic relationship, helping clients apply DBT tools to real situations: navigating conflict, managing urges, tolerating discomfort, and practicing new behaviors between sessions. Over time, clients build resilience, emotional clarity, and a stronger sense of agency. DBT becomes a roadmap for living more intentionally—one skill, one choice, one moment at a time.
Supportive therapy in my work is built on the idea that people heal best when they feel genuinely heard, emotionally safe, and consistently supported. I use it to help clients stabilize during difficult periods, strengthen their coping skills, and build confidence in their ability to navigate life’s stressors. Rather than focusing on deep restructuring of thoughts or intensive skills training, supportive therapy emphasizes connection, encouragement, and practical guidance. In session, I help clients clarify what they’re experiencing, validate their emotions, and identify strengths they may not realize they have. The goal is to reduce distress, increase resilience, and reinforce the internal resources that help them move forward. Supportive therapy in my practice often includes: Emotional validation — helping clients feel understood and less alone in their experience. Strengths-based reflection — highlighting existing coping skills and personal qualities that support growth. Practical problem-solving — working collaboratively to break challenges into manageable steps. Encouragement and reassurance — offering steady, grounded support that helps clients stay motivated and hopeful. Psychoeducation — providing information that helps clients understand their symptoms, stress responses, or relational patterns. The tone of supportive therapy is warm, steady, and collaborative. Clients experience the relationship as a stabilizing force—something that helps them feel anchored while they work through difficult emotions or transitions. Over time, they develop stronger coping skills, greater self‑trust, and a clearer sense of direction. Supportive therapy becomes a foundation: a place where clients can regroup, strengthen themselves, and move forward with more confidence.
3 ratings with written reviews
July 29, 2026
First session with this provider and so far thumbs up. She is very easy to talk to look forward to our next session.
July 16, 2026
I feel like Lauren really cares about me. I look forward to our sessions to get her insights. She is helping me a great deal and I’m glad I have her as a therapist!
June 12, 2026
Lauren McFarland is a great listener. She asked questions and carefully responded to my answers . In one session, we covered my basic life story and major losses/trauma. Pretty amazing for one session!