A safe space to question, grow, and connect to meaning, confidence, and joy.
Compassionate therapy for anxious high achievers & folks who are questioning their faith and looking for a spirituality that feels honest.
IN PERSON IN WOODINVILLE & ONLINE ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE
“This isn’t working anymore.”
For as long as you can remember, you’ve tried to follow the rules and principles that you were told lead to a good life, like an explorer using a trusted map. Because deep in your core, you desperately want to “get it right.” And you’ve more than tried – you have a long list of right turns and victories to show for your effort and commitment.
But what’s worked for so long is now showing up short. The few times you’ve let yourself reflect on this growing sense of unease, it hints to you that something is missing, that you’re coming to the edge of your map and are about to broach on uncharted territory. You have no idea what to do.
You’re at a juncture.
Maybe it’s one of faith, where your curiosity and hunger to understand have led you to a precipice where what’s familiar and beloved just isn’t enough anymore. To answer these questions of soul, you most go deeper into the unknown than you ever have before. You need new tools, and maybe a guide.
Or maybe this juncture feels more like a reckoning with yourself – after years of living up to high standards you’re starting to realize that you can never get out from under your own constant self-criticism. It’s never enough, but you know no other way to live. Something needs to change… maybe you need to change. But you don’t even know where to begin.
If either of these sound like you, read on.
“I don’t know what I believe anymore... ”
Perhaps some of the following sounds familiar:
You grew up deeply committed to your faith, and have strived to live by it even when it was really hard. But recently more and more questions are percolating in the back of your mind. They have you wondering if what you’ve believed for years is really right. You’ve tried to brush these questions aside, written them off as doubts, but they aren’t going away. If anything, they’re getting louder. Part of you knows you need to deal with these questions. Another part is terrified of what will happen when you do…
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You felt uncomfortable or hurt - something was not ok in what just happened. But others in your community are clear that what’s most important is the truth, regardless of how we feel about it. Now you’re confused - is there something you’re missing?
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If what happened came out, it would harm the church’s reputation and get in the way of ministry. You also fear you’d be blamed for what happened. You’re afraid and don’t know what to do.
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You suspect that some of your perspectives, relationships, and experiences fall outside the bounds of what they “should” be. How can you sometimes feel so comfortable with these people, while other times you desperately avoid being seen?
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You can’t make it square in your mind, it grates against your being. But if this belief doesn’t fit with you, do you still fit in your community?
Maybe the above places are very familiar. You’ve walked this path, and find yourself outside the walls of the community you once called home. Anger, confusion, hurt, regret, and loneliness make creating a new life outside the camp really difficult. How can you look ahead when you can’t make sense of where you’ve been?
Where do you go now?
“... And nowhere feels safe for me to figure it out.”
These experiences are confusing and overwhelming. And chances are, you’ve been carrying them for a while - all by yourself.
Spaces that used to feel safe and supportive can’t hold space for these questions. Your friends outside the community sympathize but don’t understand how hard this is for you.
So all the voices inside you - the questions, “shoulds”, rights, wrongs, fears, self-doubts – keep clamoring away. There’s no space to let them out and really, really get honest with yourself. Sometimes you even wonder: do you want to be honest with yourself?
It’s incredibly lonely.
“I’m tired of trying to be good enough.”
For as far back as you can remember, you’ve been someone who works hard, follows their principles, and has high standards. And you have a lot that you’re proud of. But you know that underneath the wholesome mantra of “do your best,” your inner critic is lurking, and constantly watching, assessing, and judging you –
“Is this good enough?”
High achievement is a socially appropriate gloss for your constant striving for impossible-to-meet standards, so on the outside your life looks like it’s running smoothly along, while in fact behind closed doors you are falling apart as you try to keep it going. You don’t know what else to do, but fear that this may run you into the ground.
You’re exhausted and feel trapped in your expertly-curated life.
Hi! I’m Lauren
I’ll hold space for you to get curious about yourself and your biggest questions, connect with what matters most to you, and find deep contentment in your life.
First off, I want you to know that you are not alone.
Second, I believe it’s essential that you get the space you need to give your journey the attention it deserves.
If your present juncture is one of faith, I use therapy as just this space. My priority is to focus on what is most important to you, and to help you figure that out as we make sense of your experiences, FREE from any pressure to arrive at a particular conclusion. Pressure’s off. Take the time and space you need to wonder, wander, grow, change your mind, and do it all over again, till you find what works and step into a life that is in alignment with your values and full of deep connection.
If your present juncture relates to anxiety and achievement, I use therapy as a space for us to get curious and take a deep dive into your history with success. I’ll help you untangle the patterns that are causing you suffering, gain insight about yourself, find freedom from constantly feeling not-enough, and gain confidence so you can connect to what matters most to you and take on challenges from a place of empowerment and self-trust.
Specialties
DECONSTRUCTION
“Walk Your Path”
The “unknowing” process of taking apart your beliefs can often feel destabilizing and threatening, especially if you grew up in a tradition where safety was found in certainty.
Therapy can serve as an invaluable container that helps you make sense of your experiences and engage your journey in a way that feels right for you.
RELIGIOUS TRAUMA
“Heal and Restore”
Experiences that overwhelm the body’s ability to cope can happen in faith communities, and working through these experiences is often a significant part of the spiritual journey.
Together we will process what’s hurt you and help you regain a sense of trust, connection, and hope for your future.
PURITY CULTURE
“Reclaim Yourself”
The Purity Movement of the 90’s- early 2000’s wrought shame and alienation from peoples’ bodies and sexuality, leading to immense suffering for millions of people - suffering that for many was in silence.
Together we will help you find healing from the impacts of purity culture and empower you to understand and connect with your sexuality in ways that feel safe and supported.
HIGH ACHIEVERS WITH ANXIETY
“Rest in Real Excellence”
Anxiety and perfectionism often feed off each other to keep you from being present to the present moment - trapped in worry and shame and trying harder and harder instead.
Therapy is a place for you to explore what’s driving your perfectionism-anxiety cycle with a trained therapist you can trust, so you can step out of the loop, find relief, and focus on what really matters to you.
Therapy that works for you
ONLINE SESSIONS TO SUPPORT YOU FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE
Online therapy is an amazing resource that enables you to receive care with maximum flexibility, convenience, and comfort. I use an online HIPAA-compliant video conferencing platform, so that rather than spending time and gas money sitting in traffic, you can log into session from the comfort of your living room, office, or back porch! Most importantly, online sessions mean that you can access therapy from anywhere in Washington State. All you need is a private in-state location and secure internet connection, and we can work together!
IN-PERSON OFFICE SESSIONS TO PROVIDE YOU FACE-TO-FACE CARE
In-person therapy remains a preferred option for many, and for good reason. There is something about physically sitting down together with a cup of hot tea or coffee that really helps us drop in and focus. I am so excited to welcome you to my cozy space in downtown Woodinville! The aforementioned hot tea and cozy chairs to settle right in await.
IN PERSON WALK-AND-TALK SESSIONS TO GET THE JUICES FLOWING
In addition to online and office settings, I also provide walk-and-talk trail therapy in downtown Woodinville! During walk-and-talk sessions, we meet at an agreed location and have an-otherwise regular talk therapy session, all while walking on a local, flat, & accessible trail. My clients have noted the incorporation of movement, fresh air, and green spaces around us makes opening up in therapy feel easier and more natural. I hold sessions in rain or shine, and locals will know it’s often rain. If the adventure of getting outside and moving your body appeals to you, trail therapy may be a great fit!
Ready to get started?
You’ve taken a big step by looking for support! Let’s make the next ones easy:
1.
Book a Consult - Click below to request a free, no-obligation 20 minute consultation with me.
2.
We’ll Connect - During our call, you’ll be able to share what’s brought you to therapy, and I will answer any questions you have. We’ll decide if we’re a good fit to work together! If we’re not, I’m happy to provide you names of other qualified professionals who can help.
3.
Dig In & See Change - We’ll meet weekly and encounter your story with curiosity and non-judgement. We’ll grapple with your questions, process your wounds, and help you step into a life of authenticity, meaning, and connection.
Your story is sacred and your journey is worth it.
If taking the next step of getting curious, getting honest, and discovering this deepness excites (and maybe terrifies) you, you’re in the right place.
