About Lauren
"I believe that when people feel truly seen and understood, meaningful change becomes possible."
My Story
I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #135201) with advanced degrees in clinical psychology, gerontology, and health administration. I work with adolescents, parents, and women as they navigate complex life transitions, including anxiety, depression, identity development, and family dynamics.
In addition to my clinical work, I am a parent of two young adults, including one who is gender-expansive. This lived experience informs my work in meaningful ways and strengthens my commitment to supporting families with empathy, openness, and an affirming approach to identity. I am especially passionate about helping parents navigate the evolving landscape of adolescence with greater confidence, clarity, and connection.
My experience working with older adults and their families in a residential treatment setting gives me a unique understanding of the challenges faced by the "Sandwich Generation" — adults caring for aging parents while raising their own children. I help these clients navigate stress, boundaries, and complex family structures with greater clarity and resilience.
I bring a lifetime of rich personal and professional experience to this work. My own years in therapy, the experience of raising children, and decades of living in this community have shaped how I understand developmental needs, family dynamics, and what it actually takes for change to happen.
I'm a parent, a clinician, and someone who believes the work is both practical and deep.
Born and raised in Pasadena, I know this community from the inside. I grew up here, I was shaped by its independent schools, and years later I raised my own two children through them. Pasadena, La Cañada, the San Gabriel Valley — this is home, and it has been for a lifetime.
That means I understand the particular pressures families face here. The academic intensity, the social weight, the quiet expectations that come with the independent-school world — I've lived them from both sides, first as a student and then as a parent. You won't have to explain the context to me.
My Approach
My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in both research and lived experience. I draw from psychodynamic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed principles, along with Hakomi-informed training in mindfulness-based somatic work.
I have a particular passion for working with parents. I believe that when parents feel supported and empowered, it can transform the emotional climate of the entire family. I use SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions), an evidence-based approach that helps parents make meaningful changes — even when their child isn't in therapy.
I am also training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a powerful approach for processing trauma, anxiety, and distressing experiences.
Qualifications & Education
Qualifications
- Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist
- AMFT #135201 (California)
- Supervised by Terese Forster, LMFT #53069 (California)
- SPACE Certified Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions
- CAMS-trained Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality
- EMDR (In Training)
- Hakomi-Informed (In Training)
Education
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) Skidmore College 1993
- Master of Science in Gerontology (MSG) University of Southern California 1998
- Master of Health Administration (MHA) University of Southern California 1998
- Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (MA) with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy Pepperdine University 2022
Languages
English (native) · French (professional) · Spanish & Italian (conversational)
Let's Connect
If you think we might be a good fit, I'd love to hear from you. I offer a free 15-minute consultation — no pressure, just a conversation.
Schedule a Consultation