Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Virginia. I work full time in a crisis mental health center. My primary experience is working with people of all ages in a crisis who are dealing with stress, daily function impairments, substance use issues, risk of homelessness, suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, hearing or seeing hallucinations, mood dysregulation, burnout, etc.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The goal of our fist session together, we'll start with brief introductions, then dive into the specific you are having. This may include an assessment or two in order to get a good picture of what you want out of counseling. We will then end with coming up with goals that you wish to work on while working with me.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths are that I am non judgmental and a huge proponent of trust.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am dynamic in my approach and am comfortable in meeting with people of all walks of life. I am most interested in meeting with people who have experienced complex trauma or feel as though their anxiety and stress is taking over their lives. My clients would ideally be open to practicing yoga therapy techniques to and work to develop healthy coping skills.
About Lauren Cressell
Lauren Cressell offers therapy covered by Kaiser Permanente - Medicaid and UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicaid in Virginia.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Trauma-Focused CBT
I have used TF-CBT in addressing the mental health needs of children, adolescents, and adults suffering from the destructive effects of early trauma. TF-CBT is a short-term intervention that generally lasts anywhere from eight to 25 sessions. In sessions, I will utilize cognitive behavioral techniques to help modify distorted or unhelpful thinking and negative reactions and behaviors
Mind-body approach
I am working towards a certification as a Trauma Sensitive Yoga Therapy instructor. I rely heavily on this approach in my sessions as oftentimes clients lose their ability to connect back with their autonomy over themselves. Sessions with this approach will include guided breathing practices, grounding exercises, yoga practices. The emphasis is not on the external expression or appearance (i.e. doing it "right"), or receiving the approval of an external authority. Rather, the focus is on the internal experience of the participant.
Solution Focused Brief Treatment
I utilize SFBT daily with clients that I deal with in a crisis state. It allows them the chance to take back ownership and power in solving their own problems so that they are the heroes of their own stories. In practice, we will focus on finding solutions in the present and exploring one’s hope for the future in order to find a quick and realistic resolution of one’s problems.