Lauren Matern

Seeking Feminist, body-neutral, LGBTQIA+ celebrating depth therapy? Culture, race, ethnicity, class, gender, sex, & sexuality all impact the stories we are told about who we can be, should be & are. You’ve come to a point where you know old narratives aren’t serving you: they're playing out in your relationships, career, family, internal narrative, & you want to create more joy, freedom & ease in your day to day. These narratives affect how we think about ourselves and require time, attention, & care to unpack, process, & heal. The feminist LGBTQIA+ affirming & celebrating lens can foster healing, empowerment, & liberation for all!

Intersectionality, curiosity, openness are foundational. You deserve to be fully seen, affirmed, & celebrated for your values, strengths, resilience, spirituality/religion, politics, activism, and culture—as well as experiences of discrimination and oppression though racism, sexism, disability, body size, ageism, relational structure, gender and sexuality.

I understand the considerable energy, contemplation, and courage it takes to trust someone with your story based on a photo and a few paragraphs. Set up a consultation for us to talk by calling, emailing, or via my website scheduler. You can tell me a bit about you, I'll answer any questions you might have, and we will make sure it's a great fit!

Call or Email Lauren Matern now for a free 15 minute consultation - (310) 455-8053

My Practice at a Glance

Available online only

Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Sunnyvale, CA 94086

I have current availability on weekdays in the afternoon and evening. Call, email, or schedule a consultation call directly via my website!

I specialize in LGBTQ+, Relationship Issues and Trauma and PTSD

$275 Per Session, I accept insurance

I see individuals, couples and families

Let's Connect (310) 455-8053

My Practice at a Glance

Available online only

Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Sunnyvale, CA 94086

I have current availability on weekdays in the afternoon and evening. Call, email, or schedule a consultation call directly via my website!

I specialize in LGBTQ+, Relationship Issues and Trauma and PTSD

$275 Per Session, I accept insurance

I see individuals, couples and families

Finances

Fees

Individual Sessions $275
Couple Sessions $375

Payment Methods

American Express, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

Insurance

Aetna
Blue Shield
Carelon Behavioral Health
Central California Alliance
EAP
Flexible Health Savings
Health Savings Account
HealthComp
Medi-Cal
Out of Network
Partnership Health Plan
Personify Health
Out of Network

I am in network with Aetna, Carelon Behavioral, & Medi-Cal with: Partnership & Central CA Alliance only. For other insurances, I am an out-of-network provider and can provide you with a superbill. As a courtesy, we can also verify your benefits for you with our in house insurance concierge service.

Lauren Matern

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (310) 455-8053

Lauren Matern

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (310) 455-8053

Qualifications

Verified by Psychology Today Prelicense by State of California / 140681 Supervised by Dylan Cimbura-Hernandez (California / 120829) Lauren Matern

Additional Credentials

Certificate from Pacifica Graduate Institute: Ecotherapy Advanced Training Certificate

Certificate from Gottman Method of Couples Therapy Level 3

I have experience & training in working relationally with Gottman & EFT. I am enm & poly celebrating. When vulnerable conversations need to be had we create a brave, compassionate space to improve communication. Clear is kind.

Lauren Matern

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (310) 455-8053

Lauren Matern

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (310) 455-8053

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

LGBTQ+
Relationship Issues
Trauma and PTSD

Expertise

Anxiety
Bipolar Disorder
Bisexual
Body Image
Codependency
College Stressors Including Pre/Post Transition
Coping Skills
Couples & Relationships
Depression
Family Conflict
Grief
Lesbian
Life Transitions
Marital and Premarital
Mood Disorders
Peer Relationships
Polyamory & ENM
Self Esteem
Sex-Positive & Kink Friendly
Stress
Transgender
Women's Issues

The feminist LGBTQIA plus affirming & celebrating lens can be a healing, empowering, & liberating way of looking at the world for everyone! Many of us have some stuff to unpack, process, & heal around painful familial & societal narratives. You may notice these narratives not serving you and you would like more joy, freedom, & liberation in your life & in your community.

Lauren Matern

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (310) 455-8053

Lauren Matern

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (310) 455-8053

5 Endorsements

Brooke Bayles

Lauren does outstanding work with couples, making all partners feel heard and supported. She is an attentive and compassionate therapist who is committed to advocating for clients and implements current research for the best treatment outcomes.

Manon Goodrich

Lauren is one of the most well-informed therapists that I know. She is intentional in all aspects of her work with clients. She is a non-judgemental, open, and genuine person, and will meet her clients exactly where they need.

Mish Lowery

Associate Clinical Social Worker, ASW

Lauren holds a belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual, recognizing the importance of being fully seen, affirmed, and celebrated for one's values, strengths & resilience creating a safe space where clients can explore their unique identities.

Cayla Mayer

Lauren pulls from constantly expanding tool belt of Anxiety and OCD treatment approaches she tailors to each individual. She offers a kind, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment for healing. Lauren is an asset to our community and her clients.

Dylan Cimbura-Hernandez

Lauren is a skilled clinician that offers a calm and gentle approach in her work. Clients can expect a therapeutic relationship that fosters an environment of trust and growth.

Client Focus

Age

Adults

Participants

Individuals ,

Couples ,

Family

Communities

Bisexual Allied ,

Gay Allied ,

HIV / AIDS Allied ,

Immuno-disorders ,

Intersex Allied ,

Lesbian Allied ,

Non-Binary Allied ,

Queer Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied ,

Sex Worker Allied ,

Single Parent ,

Transgender Allied

Age

Adults

Participants

Individuals ,

Couples ,

Family

Communities

Bisexual Allied ,

Gay Allied ,

HIV / AIDS Allied ,

Immuno-disorders ,

Intersex Allied ,

Lesbian Allied ,

Non-Binary Allied ,

Queer Allied ,

Racial Justice Allied ,

Sex Worker Allied ,

Single Parent ,

Transgender Allied

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Attachment-based
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Culturally Sensitive
Emotionally Focused
Family / Marital
Feminist
Gottman Method
LGBTQ+ Affirming & Celebrating
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Narrative
Person-Centered
Psychodynamic
Relational
Trauma Focused

Welcome! You're in the right place. I am a Feminist Narrative therapist who is widely trained to use an array of amazing interventions to create a therapy space that is a unique process specific to you. We will start with coping to create a solid foundation, then we delve into childhood, culture, society & begin processing around what to leave, take, & transform.

Lauren Matern

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (310) 455-8053

Lauren Matern

Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT

Call or Email me for a free 15 minute consultation now - (310) 455-8053

Groups

Body Acceptance & Empowerment Group

Hosted by

Lauren Matern

Join a group of like-minded people who are ready to rip into patriarchy and let it all hang out! This is a group for those ready to transition from the cultural scripts of body positivity/negativity into acceptance. Society, culture, gender, race, ethnicity, values, family of origin, and more affect the stories we are told, learn, and tell ourselves about our bodies. This is a space to shine light, feel the feels, and be in community. All bodies welcomed & celebrated!

Expertise

Peer Relationships

Women's Issues

Age

Adults

Session Cost

$50-$80

Group Meets

Every Thu 6 P.M. - 7 P.M.

Location

Telehealth

Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Email Lauren Matern about this group or call - (310) 455-8053

Communication & Connection Couples Group

Hosted by

Lauren Matern

Communication skills are the number one piece that couples request when starting out in therapy. This group has a Gottman framework that leads couples through weekly communication exercises to deepen and strengthen love and admiration. Many couples report seeking therapy 5 years after the problems began. This group is a great refresh & reset early on, or as a primer before seeking direct couples therapy. All partnerships welcome!

Expertise

Peer Relationships

Women's Issues

Age

Adults

Session Cost

$130-$150

Group Meets

Every Wed 7 P.M. - 8 P.M.

Location

Telehealth

Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Email Lauren Matern about this group or call - (310) 455-8053

Friendship & Intimacy Process Group

Hosted by

Lauren Matern

Friendships are some of the most enlivening relationships in our lives & they can be difficult to make, maintain, and deepen as we grow into new phases of life, new cities, new interests, and new ideas. This group is for people who want to learn skills and receive support around the sometimes daunting task of making new friends, deepening existing ones, & the person who doesn't even know where to start, but is ready to take the first step.

Expertise

Peer Relationships

Women's Issues

Age

Adults

Session Cost

$50-$80

Group Meets

Every Tue 7 P.M. - 8 P.M.

Location

Telehealth

Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Email Lauren Matern about this group or call - (310) 455-8053

Location

Primary Location

Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274

Email Me

Additional Location

Sunnyvale, CA 94086