About Me
Hello! My name is Lauren (she, her) and I am a licensed independent clinical social worker and therapist specializing in individual psychotherapy with equine and animal interaction.
For the past several years, I have met with children, adolescents, families, and adults of various identities and backgrounds, dealing with a wide range of concerns within residential, school, and community-based outpatient settings. My educational background involves brain and cognitive sciences, the impact and healing of psychological trauma, and autism research. I became an LICSW in 2019, started an independent practice in March 2020, and began practicing psychotherapy with equine interaction at Moonlight Ranch in May 2021.
My approach to therapy is non-blaming, collaborative, and curiosity-driven which helps me get to know you as a person and learn about what is important to you, rather than seeing you as a “diagnosis” with a one-size-fits-all approach to “treatment”. We will learn together how you want to respond to problems or challenges and bring forward your strengths, skills, and knowledge to help you with the process of change towards living and relating in more preferred ways.
I am certified in Embodied Equine Psychotherapy™ which encourages growth and healing through an embodied, experiential, and relational approach. This means learning to listen to your body and feelings within real-time experiences with the horses, facilitating connection between you and the horses while caring about the experiences both you and the horses are having when interacting with one another. Within this approach, the horses are co-therapists meaning they are respected as having their own knowledge and skills to offer within the therapy space. Although ultimately, they can choose how they want to be involved, and are free to roam and be themselves as well loved and cared for equines!
Personally, I have a long history of loving animals and the outdoors. I have had the privilege to learn from horses since early childhood, and have experienced first hand the growth and healing that can happen when we are open to what we can learn by developing authentic relationships with them. I continue to refresh my knowledge and skills on ethical horsemanship practices that help support safety, respect, and shared language for both animals and people.
Alongside everything the outdoor environment and the animals have to share, my hope is to create an experience together that is helpful and meaningful in some way.
Professionally, I am involved with the Narrative Therapy Initiative, the New England Society for the Treatment of Trauma and Dissociation, and the Institute for Equine Assisted Practices which have provided connections and resources that influence my practice.
For the past several years, I have met with children, adolescents, families, and adults of various identities and backgrounds, dealing with a wide range of concerns within residential, school, and community-based outpatient settings. My educational background involves brain and cognitive sciences, the impact and healing of psychological trauma, and autism research. I became an LICSW in 2019, started an independent practice in March 2020, and began practicing psychotherapy with equine interaction at Moonlight Ranch in May 2021.
My approach to therapy is non-blaming, collaborative, and curiosity-driven which helps me get to know you as a person and learn about what is important to you, rather than seeing you as a “diagnosis” with a one-size-fits-all approach to “treatment”. We will learn together how you want to respond to problems or challenges and bring forward your strengths, skills, and knowledge to help you with the process of change towards living and relating in more preferred ways.
I am certified in Embodied Equine Psychotherapy™ which encourages growth and healing through an embodied, experiential, and relational approach. This means learning to listen to your body and feelings within real-time experiences with the horses, facilitating connection between you and the horses while caring about the experiences both you and the horses are having when interacting with one another. Within this approach, the horses are co-therapists meaning they are respected as having their own knowledge and skills to offer within the therapy space. Although ultimately, they can choose how they want to be involved, and are free to roam and be themselves as well loved and cared for equines!
Personally, I have a long history of loving animals and the outdoors. I have had the privilege to learn from horses since early childhood, and have experienced first hand the growth and healing that can happen when we are open to what we can learn by developing authentic relationships with them. I continue to refresh my knowledge and skills on ethical horsemanship practices that help support safety, respect, and shared language for both animals and people.
Alongside everything the outdoor environment and the animals have to share, my hope is to create an experience together that is helpful and meaningful in some way.
Professionally, I am involved with the Narrative Therapy Initiative, the New England Society for the Treatment of Trauma and Dissociation, and the Institute for Equine Assisted Practices which have provided connections and resources that influence my practice.
"Animals are the bridge between us and the beauty of all that is natural. They show us what's missing in our lives, and how to love ourselves more completely and unconditionally. They connect us back to who we are, and to the purpose of why we're here." ― Trisha McCagh