Focus: Individual and group psychotherapy related to substance use, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, grief and trauma, relationships, and life transitions.

Biography: I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I earned my Master’s degree in Social Work with a specialization in substance use disorder treatment from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration in 2016. Before joining Midwest Counseling in 2019, I worked on an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers in residential and outpatient treatment centers. I have over ten years of experience supporting adults struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, bipolar disorder and co- occurring substance use and eating disorders.

I believe in the inherent resilience and potential for growth within each individual. I see my role as therapist as a guide to help you foster a greater sense of self- awareness, while you serve as the expert on your past experiences and current thoughts, and feelings. I have extensive experience helping clients build skills using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing (MI), however, I am passionate about using Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients use curiosity and compassion to unburden unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to increase inner harmony. I have completed over 100 hours of training, including Level 1 Training, in Internal Family Systems (IFS) through the Internal Family Systems Institute. I value the opportunity to continue to expand my clinical knowledge and stay up to date with current research and models.

I’ve worked for years in programs that encourage abstinence from substances, and I also have a passion for helping individuals who are able and interested in moderation of substances in alignment with their values. When I work with individuals around food and body image, I am guided by Health at Every Size (HAES) principles, intuitive eating, and the body liberation movement. As a Social Worker, I believe our family, environment, culture, society, and intersecting identities affect our health and well-being and I strive to contextualize my treatment approaches with each client and their individualized background.

Outside of my work as a therapist, I enjoy being creative, reading memoirs, and spending time in nature with family, friends, and my dog, Cali.

I feel honored to hear other’s stories and look forward to the possibility of meeting you in the future! Please feel free to call or text me at 312-834-4089 or email lauren@midwestcounseling.com to schedule a free consultation or ask any questions you may have.