about lauren

I came to this career after experiencing the benefits of therapy myself and it deeply informs my approach. I consider the decision to begin therapy the best thing I ever did for myself, resulting in growth, insight and a more authentic life than I ever imagined possible. I have utmost gratitude for the unconditional faith my therapist showed me, that gave me the courage to make big changes in my life. This positive experience is my wish for you.

This experience created an approach that recognizes our shared humanity and seeks to generate greater insight in pursuit of a more authentic life. I believe that increased awareness leads to growth and change, allowing us to make intentional decisions that feel aligned with our truest selves. I have been privileged to work alongside many teens, young adults, and couples as they move towards growth.

I work from a social justice lens that seeks to recognize each of our intersecting identities and make space for conversations about how they may impact our work. I believe that just as your identities matter, mine may too, and part of my approach includes acknowledging this and sharing some with you as you're considering how we might work together. I identify as a white, queer, able-bodied, and cisgender therapist and recognize the privilege that comes with this.  I'm aware of how privileged therapists have historically harmed marginalized folks through discrimination and mistrust and hold myself accountable to ongoing self reflection and growth. I'm also a Millennial, animal lover, creative, and Midwesterner - although San Francisco has been home for the past decade, and I feel deeply connected and inspired by this community.

I look forward to learning more about your values, identities, and experiences and exploring how we might partner together to help you move towards a more meaningful life.

education & experience

  • MA in Counseling Psychology, University of San Francisco

  • BS in Advertising and Sociology, University of Illinois

  • School Based Adolescent Therapist, Richmond Area Multi Services

  • California State Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor, Rape Trauma Services

 FAQs

  • Therapy can benefit anyone! You don't have to be at your breaking point, in crisis, or even struggling. Therapy can benefit those looking to strengthen relationships, increase coping skills, and find insight and self-awareness.

    My practice is particularly suited to LGBTQIA+ adults. Therapy can be hard work, and an investment, so it tends to work best for those who are prepared to make a meaningful commitment to the process. I encourage you to reflect on this and consider multiple resources for support and growth. Some folks may find other options including spiritual and cultural communities, movement practices, or creative outlets to be a better fit. We can talk more about this during an introductory call.

  • This is such a great question to ask! The relationship between you and your therapist is the largest predictor of successful outcomes in therapy. I encourage you to meet with multiple therapists to decide what feels like the best fit. I offer a free 20 minute consultation call where we can get to know one another and determine if it's a good fit. It's possible that through the conversation, I decide another therapist might be better specialized to meet your needs. In this case, we can discuss more and I'll help you get connected to a better fit.

  • My standard fee is $160 per 50-minute individual session, and $200 per 50-minute couples session.

    I offer limited sliding scale spots with the goal of making therapy an equitable investment for my clients. We can discuss more during an introductory call.

  • I offer both in-person and virtual sessions.

    In-person sessions are held in San Francisco's Marina district at 2082 Union Street.

    Virtual sessions are held on a secure Zoom platform and available to anyone living in California.

  • Currently, I do not take insurance or work directly with any insurance providers. Some insurance companies offer reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services. In these cases, I can provide you with a monthly statement with your diagnosis for reimbursement.