Hi, I’m Lauren.

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the states of New Jersey and New York. I help people find their way as they navigate the complexities of motherhood, parenthood and midlife. I try to be the kind of therapist that I would like to see: I am passionate about supporting people to become their best selves, I truly care about my clients, and I am continually expanding my knowledge and skill set. I have been working as a therapist for nearly 15 years.

WHAT ARE SESSIONS LIKE?
Sessions with me are conversational and relaxed. I provide warmth and a safe connection as I actively listen, support you, and gently challenge you when necessary. We will work to develop tools for you to use beyond your time in therapy. We might practice grounding, breathing or mindfulness techniques. Or we might put pen to paper if that works for you. It is very likely that we will share a laugh at some point. Typically, you’ll leave a session with feedback or a new strategy to experiment with in daily life. It is important to me that you feel comfortable giving me feedback, too, and that you feel comfortable asking questions. I believe good therapy is a collaborative process. We will focus on what you find to be helpful and move on from what you don’t.

MODALITIES, TRAINING AND APPROACH
In my work, I take an integrative view of wellbeing and account for mind, body, spirit, culture, and environment. I hold a certificate in Maternal Mental Health from Postpartum Support International and continue with ongoing reproductive mental health education. I offer talk therapy, rooted in the premise that you are the expert in your own life. I also practice several modalities that allow for deeper processing, channeling the nervous system and its natural healing capacity, including EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS-style parts work and Inner Relationship Focusing (IRF). I have completed two years of Somatic Experiencing training out of a three-year course of study. I also draw on concepts from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I approach my work with openness to all experiences, identities, body sizes, races, cultures and backgrounds.

MY EXPERIENCE
Working with parents and caregivers—moms, most frequently—is a thread that runs through my career as a therapist in various settings. When I became a mother myself, I understood how important it is to have dedicated support. Over the past decade, I have served a wide range of people and symptoms from mild to severe. I provided therapy in community clinics in New York City for nearly 10 years, primarily at the Jewish Board for Family and Children’s Services. I have served as a generalist and I have done specialized work with children, mothers, teens, young adults, and autistic clients and their families. I have also completed 300+ hours of Pilates teacher training, and this informs the body-centered work we might do together. Clinical social work is my second career. I worked as an editor for 10 years in publishing and media settings.

DEGREES
I received my Master’s in Social Work from New York University. I also hold an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. I received my B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from Washington University in St. Louis.