Teletherapy for Mountlake Terrace, WA

I believe that therapy can be a very difficult process, but with the right connection you are able to feel comfortable enough to let go and express negative thoughts/worries without fear of judgement. I have been working in private practice for the last 3 years, beginning in 2017. Prior to my experience in private practice, I worked for a non profit organization that focused on the stability and rehabilitation of the family unit. I am licensed in both Washington and Ohio as an independent clinician counselor. I received my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University in 2014.

I am a geek, and a therapist. I work with individuals, couples and families and I specialize in working with geeks, gamers, and people who work in the tech industry. If you're struggling in your relationships with your partner/family members, or simply feeling anxious or sad and you're not sure why, I can help. We can work together to find the tools and strength that you need to create positive change. I often help people with social skill growth, anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorders, grief, and communication. At this time I am only providing teletherapy services and not in-person services.

As we struggle with life’s inevitable challenges, sometimes we get stuck in survival mode and lose touch with our sense of peace, joy and wholeness. We may feel lost or overwhelmed, unable to change or move forward. We may feel defective in some way, disconnected from Self and others, or as if we are not seen or accepted for who we are. Having a safe, non-judgmental, confidential relationship in which to explore our thoughts, feelings, challenges and hopes can be deeply healing and help us to find our way. It would be my honor and privilege to provide this for you as an ally on your path to wholeness.

Whether you’re recognizing that your relationship with food or your body aren’t working for you or you’re totally ready to divest from diet culture, I’m here to support you. I understand how food and movement choices meant to put you on the path you’re wanting for yourself can get out of hand and seem to knock you off your path completely. If your relationship with food, movement or your body are causing anxiety, depression, or overtaking things that matter to you, know that you don’t have to walk that path alone. I will support you to feel empowered to fully step into who you are - wherever you currently are on that journey.

Lauren graduated with her Master of Social Work from Colorado State University and is now a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Associate in the state of Washington. During her time at CSU she completed an internship counseling children and adolescents on the Family Youth Intensive Team in a community mental health center in Northern Colorado and then spent her final internship year counseling college students at the CSU Health Network. Prior to receiving her MSW, Lauren had 5 years of experience working in various residential homes for children, adolescents, and adults; ran exposure therapies for clients in eating disorder

*Currently accepting New Clients* I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor for the state of Washington. I have held positions that involved working with and supporting individuals of all ages, backgrounds, social and economic statuses. I work with individuals and couples from the age of 11 and up. My focus is mainly anxiety, depression, grief and trauma. To me, the therapeutic journey is a partnership. Together, we will find a way to get you where you need to be.

No matter the reason a person seeks counseling, a listening ear and safe place to share can foster healing and allow progress toward wholeness. As your counselor, I hope to provide a space for you, free of judgement, where we address your concerns and help you work toward a fulfilled and free life. I work with a variety of different issues, including anxiety, depression, relationships, low self-esteem, grief, family systems, anger management and parenting concerns. I see women, men, adolescents, couples and families. My experience and education has given me knowledge on diverse approaches and orientations to use in counseling.

Congratulations on taking the first steps to becoming the person you want to be. I believe in empowering people to overcome the difficulties in their lives. My passion is helping clients to overcome barriers to living their best life by bringing out their inner strength, using therapy for insight, self-exploration, healing, and personal growth. My theoretical approach is eclectic and relational. Together we can explore how your personal history and learned habits may influence your emotions, coping patterns, and behaviors,- ultimately affecting your sense of self for the better.

Life often feels messy and leaves people forgetting our own worth, brilliance, and capability. Clients may be so overwhelmed by everything going on in their lives by the time they come to therapy that emotions become challenging to cope with, let alone understand. I take a collaborative strengths-based approach by empowering clients to examine and challenge the stories that they have come to believe about themselves. I seek to provide a safe space for you to understand your own life story and the contextual factors that impact that story and to grow more into your own authentic Self.

I'm here to help you heal childhood wounds and live the life you want. Caregivers, Scapegoats, People Pleasers, Codependents — I welcome you all and hold space for all of your pain. Through therapy, we can tend to old wounds, repair ruptures in relationships with self and others, and increase your sense of self-understanding and acceptance. I am so glad you are here and celebrate your taking a step towards inner healing and growth.

Sometimes we struggle to make meaning where life has thrown us a curveball: a death, a divorce, coming out, or even a pandemic. It’s overwhelming trying to bring order to chaos, at times having to impossibly reconcile competing truths. “It gets better” fails to appreciate the acute pain of the moment, only going so far in moving the needle towards hope. In an age where humans are increasingly polarized, buoyed by deeply held beliefs, there remains a need for something more than personal happiness alone. As a relational Therapist, I help clients find sustainable wellness; prioritizing relationship with self and others over ideology.

I work with kids and adults who want to understand themselves better and improve their relationships. In my work with clients I often address anxiety, confidence issues, social issues, sexuality, gender, conflict, trauma, and depression. I am a person-centered therapist who encourages both trust and growth nurturing long-term relationships with clients. Each client is different, however I encourage the use of mindfulness and meditation in and out of session as well as art therapy to help express feelings. I also use CBT, DBT, EFT, and Lifespan Integration.

I am accepting new clients on weekends and a few evenings. I encourage people to tell me what they need from me, whether that is just to listen to their concerns or help them come up with solutions to their problems when they want help. I believe that everyone deserves to have the opportunity to have the life that they want to live whatever that looks like for them. I tailor my approach to each individual client based on their needs.

My aim is to help those clients who want to use therapy for insight, self-exploration, healing and personal growth. My theoretical approach is holistic and relational, which means - together, we can explore the ways in which your personal history and learned habits may still be influencing your emotions, coping patterns and behaviors -- ultimately affecting your sense of self. Together we’ll sort out your feelings so that you can more fluidly access your innate capacity for compassionate self-care. I encourage a mindfulness focus to engage your “in-the-moment” experience. Our therapeutic connection can serve as a rich resource.

My passion is helping and empowering others to build self-confidence and create their own path and journey in life. Herd path term means when hikers create new paths and maintain those trails. Life's main trails and paths don't always bring us happiness. I am trained and experienced in many holistic therapeutic approaches to guide and help you toward your goals in therapy. www.herdpathcounseling.com

Searching for a guide to better mental health, wellness and growth? I am excited to be part of your rewritten story. I look forward to working with a committed and engaging client willing to increase self-awareness and open to exploring uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. Your choice to reach out for help defines your character and is a quick snip into your courage to stare inside yourself and around you for answers with me acting as your reflective board and offering an alternative perspective.