New to Grow
Hi, I’m Lauren, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience working in mental health and substance use treatment. I have worked across multiple levels of care and specialize in helping individuals navigate anxiety, trauma, stress, relationship challenges, life transitions, and emotional overwhelm. My approach is direct, compassionate, and collaborative. I strive to create a supportive environment where clients feel safe to process challenges, build insight, develop healthier coping strategies, and create meaningful, lasting change. I believe therapy should feel both supportive and practical, helping clients better understand themselves while improving their day-to-day quality of life.
During our first session, you can expect a supportive, judgment-free conversation focused on understanding what brought you to therapy, the challenges you’re currently facing, and what you hope to gain from the process. I’ll ask questions about your personal history, relationships, stressors, coping patterns, and strengths so I can get a clear picture of how to best support you. Our first session is also a chance for you to ask questions, share any concerns, and see whether working together feels like a good fit. My approach is collaborative, practical, and individualized, and I strive to create an environment where you feel comfortable, heard, and supported from the beginning.
What stands out about my approach is my ability to balance compassion with directness and practical problem-solving. I strive to create a supportive environment where you feel safe being honest while also helping you identify patterns, build insight, and make meaningful changes in your daily life. I take an individualized and trauma-informed approach to therapy, recognizing that every person’s experiences, coping patterns, and goals are different. I integrate evidence-based techniques, including EMDR, to help clients process trauma, reduce emotional distress, and work through negative core beliefs in a safe and structured way. I also focus heavily on emotional regulation, self-awareness, relationship dynamics, and long-term resilience. Clients often appreciate that sessions feel both supportive and productive, with an emphasis on helping you better understand yourself while developing realistic tools you can apply outside of therapy.
I am best positioned to work with adults and young adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, burnout, life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional dysregulation, and co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns. I work well with individuals who are seeking greater self-awareness, emotional balance, healthier coping strategies, and meaningful long-term change. My approach is especially effective for high-functioning individuals, professionals, caregivers, and those who often feel overwhelmed by pressure, responsibility, or difficulty slowing down emotionally and mentally. I strive to create a supportive, collaborative, and nonjudgmental environment where clients can process challenges, build resilience, improve relationships, and strengthen their overall quality of life.
EMDR
I incorporate EMDR-informed interventions to help clients process unresolved trauma, distressing memories, and negative core beliefs in a structured and regulated way. I utilize grounding, resourcing, and emotional regulation techniques to support clients in safely processing experiences while improving present-day functioning and emotional resilience.
Mind-body approach
I utilize a mind-body approach by helping clients understand the connection between emotional experiences, physical symptoms, stress responses, and nervous system regulation. Treatment may include mindfulness, grounding skills, breathing exercises, emotional awareness, and lifestyle-based interventions to support overall mental wellness.
Positive Psychology
I incorporate positive psychology principles by helping clients identify strengths, increase resilience, build self-awareness, and improve overall life satisfaction. My approach focuses on enhancing healthy coping skills, reinforcing progress, and helping clients create meaningful and sustainable changes.
Attachment-based
I use an attachment-based approach to help clients understand how early relationships and relational experiences impact current emotional patterns, self-esteem, communication, and interpersonal functioning. Treatment focuses on developing healthier relationship dynamics, emotional security, and improved self-awareness.
Trauma Informed Care
I practice from a trauma-informed care perspective by recognizing the impact trauma can have on emotional, behavioral, and relational functioning. I prioritize creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment while emphasizing empowerment, collaboration, emotional regulation, and client-centered care.