therapy

anxiety & depression

Anxiety and depression can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming; getting out of bed, making it through work or school, or staying connected to the people you care about. Lauren provides therapy for teens and adults who want practical support for anxiety, depression, panic, chronic stress, and emotional burnout, using tools that help you feel more grounded and capable day to day.

Lauren helps teens and adults who struggle with:

  • Low mood, loss of interest, and reduced motivation

  • Overthinking, excessive worry, rumination, panic symptoms, or racing thoughts

  • Sleep disruption and appetite changes linked to stress, anxiety, or depression

  • Isolation or difficulty maintaining relationships due to overwhelm or emotional shutdown

  • Irritability, emotional reactivity, or feeling “on edge” even when nothing is wrong

Using a strengths-based approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and DBT-informed skills, you’ll work on:

  • Building healthier thinking patterns and reducing negative self-talk

  • Developing coping strategies and emotional regulation tools for daily stress and triggers

  • Setting realistic goals and creating small, doable steps that build momentum

  • Improving routines and self-care habits that support stability and functioning

  • Reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression so daily life feels more manageable and connected

couples & family therapy

Relationships can feel strained by stress, parenting demands, financial pressure, or major life transitions. Lauren provides couples therapy and family therapy for clients who want practical tools, stronger connection, and healthier communication patterns without blame or constant rehashing of the same fights.

Lauren works with couples and families who want to:

  • Improve communication and reduce recurring conflict

  • Navigate parenting and co-parenting challenges with more teamwork and consistency

  • Rebuild trust and repair emotional injuries after hurt, resentment, or disconnection

  • Feel more connected, understood, and emotionally supported in day-to-day life

  • Strengthen boundaries and problem-solving skills so conflicts don’t keep repeating

In sessions, Lauren provides structure, clear boundaries, and a supportive space where each person can be heard. Her work is informed by attachment-based therapy and Gottman-informed couples counseling techniques, helping clients recognize patterns, interrupt negative cycles, and build more secure ways of relating.

Lauren has supported many couples and families in Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, and Wheeling, and also serves clients across Illinois through secure telehealth therapy.

school related issues

With over 10 years of experience as a school social worker, Lauren understands how deeply school stress and academic pressure can impact a teen’s mental health, motivation, and confidence. Lauren provides therapy for adolescents who need support with ADHD, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, depression, and school-related behavior concerns with practical strategies that actually translate into day-to-day school life.

Lauren works with teens who struggle with:

  • Academic stress, overwhelm, and school avoidance (attendance concerns, shutdown, procrastination)

  • ADHD and executive functioning skills (organization, planning, time management, follow-through)

  • Peer conflict, social skills, and self-esteem (friendship stress, feeling left out, social anxiety)

  • Anxiety, depression, and mood-related behaviors in school settings (irritability, withdrawal, motivation changes)

  • Emotional regulation and behavior support needs that affect classroom success and daily functioning

Lauren is also well-versed in special education services and the IEP/504 process, and can support families in advocating for appropriate accommodations, interventions, and school-based supports so students receive what they need to learn, cope, and thrive..

autism spectrum support

Lauren provides therapy for teens (12+) and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1, supporting clients who want to strengthen daily functioning, improve relationships, and feel more confident navigating social and emotional challenges. Services are tailored to the individual and may address concerns related to social communication, emotional regulation, independence, anxiety, and sensory overwhelm.

Lauren works with teens and adults who may experience:

  • Challenges with conversation and reading social cues (tone, facial expressions, body language)

  • Difficulty making or keeping friends and feeling connected socially

  • Emotional regulation challenges, including frustration, shutdown, or meltdowns

  • Daily living skills and independence (routines, transitions, life skills)

  • Anxiety, burnout, and sensory overload in school, work, or social environments

Therapy focuses on building practical, real-life skills that support long-term growth, including:

  • Strengthening social communication and relationship skills

  • Practicing coping strategies for sensory and emotional overwhelm

  • Building self-awareness, emotional regulation, and flexibility during stress

  • Improving boundaries, self-advocacy, and confidence in social and professional settings

  • Supporting success in school, work, and community participation, with tools for independence and daily functioning