Questions & Answers
Who are you?
My name is Lauren and I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I have worked in a variety of settings to include partial-hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and online telehealth platforms. My clinical specialties include anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and general malaise/ennui with life.
While most of my clients are US-based, I do see folks elsewhere across the world, time zone permitting. I’ve spent some of my life living overseas and understand the unique pains and frustrations that rise from an expat lifestyle.
How about your credentials?
I am licensed as an independent practitioner in the state of Maryland (LC8760), Virginia (0701009257) and Pennsylvania (PC016280). I am also a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) in the US and certified in EMDR. I have specialized training in trauma processing, eating disorders and anxiety utilizing methods such as ACT, CBT, DBT and UP. I also do a lot of parts work and will start formal IFS training Fall of 2025.
I received my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from GWU (George Washington University). I went to UVA for undergrad (Wahoowa!). I am a member of the American Counseling Association and the EMDR International Association. I’m also a veteran of the US Army.
How does this all work?
Step 1 – reach out to me. You can shoot me a message through the contact form on the home page or book a free 15-minute consultation by clicking the button below.
Then what happens?
MAGIC!
Just kidding. We talk. I ask you what’s going on. Maybe you tell me, maybe you don’t. I listen. I tell you a little bit about how I operate. You get a read off me, I get a read off you. We decide if the vibe is mutually sufficient to move forward and try this whole thing out. Then you book the intake.
That intake appointment will be much longer and more in-depth than our quick chat. I’ll ask you all sorts of questions about things that may or may not relate to what you’re most concerned about. Lots of history questions, your feelings about your mother, etc. Then, together, we figure out what it is that you want changed and come up with a plan to get you there. Unlike many doctors appointments, therapy is not prescriptive. I don’t tell you want you need to do in order to fix whatever is troubling you. WE discuss the issue and WE talk through ideas that may help. Ultimately, this is YOUR therapy. I follow YOUR lead. If there are areas you’re not ready to address, that’s okay. Let’s work on the areas you ARE ready to focus on. Or, focus on the fact that you’re NOT ready to focus on changing.
That being said, change doesn’t magically come about on it’s own and growth doesn’t happen while you’re comfortably snuggled in your bed avoiding the world. Getting something out of therapy will take some work and it may not always feel good. But I will be there with you every step of the way, metaphorically holding your hand or giving you a little push, depending on what’s needed.
How do we do sessions?
Session can be done by video or in-person in Bethesda, MD. I use a HIPAA-compliant video platform (ie, secure) that you can access via computer, phone or tablet. I always recommend wearing headphones that have a little mic included. It cuts down on noise and helps keep our sessions just between us. If possible, the connection is most stable if you’re using a laptop/desktop hooked up to your home network. You can use your phone and cell network, but the connection is a bit more spotty. If we have trouble connecting via the primary platform, I do have a couple of backups, and if absolutely necessary, we can fall back to audio-only.
If you’re interested in in-person session, I see folks in a cutesy little office off East-West Highway. a 5-10 minute walk from the Bethesda metro stop. As a warning, the office sees a lot of kiddos, so there will be plenty of toys and games and potentially weird noises coming through the office walls.
**For those living in the US: I am only able to provide online therapy for those living in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. If you live in one of the other states or territories but really just KNOW in the bottom of your heart and soul that I was destined to be your therapist, let me know – some states are making reciprocity easier than others.
How much will all of this cost?
Initial consultation (20min) – Free!
Intake assessment (up to 60 min) – $305
Individual therapy (45min) – $230
Family/Couples therapy (45min) – $240
What about insurance?
I am considered an “out-of-network” provider by most insurance companies. If you would like to use your insurance benefits, I’d recommend that you contact your insurance company and first verify that your plan covers 1) mental health services and to what extent [some require a specific type of practitioner – a MD of PhD for example], 2) telehealth specifically 3) out of network providers [some insurers require that you ONLY work with clinicians on their list]. If it seems good to go, we proceed. You provide a credit card which is charged following each session, and then I send you something called a superbill, which is a specially formatted receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.