I’m Lauren. I’m a queer, white, cisgender woman. As a therapist, I believe in the importance of establishing a strong, authentic therapeutic relationship that can serve as the foundation for healing. When we feel connected and safe with a therapist, we can begin to take risks to learn more about ourselves and how we operate in the world around us. I work from a person-centered approach in which I believe in your own inner strength and expertise. I incorporate elements of psychodynamic therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into my work. I am also expanding my knowledge of Internal Family Systems (IFS). 

In addition to my role as a therapist, I’ve been working as a school counselor for the past eight years, where I support children in grades K–8 and their families. As a school counselor, I’ve gained extensive experience guiding children and their families through complex emotional and social issues. I bring this knowledge of child development and working with family systems into my work with adult clients as I seek to build insight into how their early attachment experiences shape current ones. I’ve also worked on a suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ youth and have worked with male-identified survivors of childhood sexual abuse. My areas of focus also include non-suicidal self-injury, anxiety, and life transitions. 

I believe in the healing elements of nature and like to incorporate food, physical activity, and the outside world as an aid to our healing journeys. Outside of therapy, I’m an avid yoga and Pilates practitioner, and I love spending time on the beach.

Email me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation: lauren@catherinemccarthylcsw.com