Hi, I’m Lauren.

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I provide counselling with a gentle, supportive and empowering approach.

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About Me

Hi, I’m Lauren. I offer a warm and compassionate approach to adults navigating stress, life’s transitions and challenges. My approach is respectful, and trauma-informed, with a strong focus on creating a safe space where you feel seen, heard, and supported, fostering resilience, confidence and self-compassion.

  • I’m a mother and a Blue Mountains based qualified Social Worker and Counsellor with over 14 years’ experience across different fields, including trauma, child and family health, domestic and family violence, mental health, aged care, disability and chronic illness.

    I’m especially passionate about perinatal mental health where I support mums and fathers during pregnancy, birth and the early parenting years. 

    I’ve supported individuals, parents, children and families through:

    • Perinatal mental health

    • Parenting related stress and challenges

    • Building safe and secure child-parent attachment 

    • Birth trauma

    • Neonatal loss

    • Grief and loss

    • Trauma including childhood trauma

    • Domestic and family violence (DFV)

    • Challenges and changes in relationships and family dynamics

    • Emotional overwhelm, burnout, and stress

    • Identity, self-worth, and life direction

    • Life transitions

    I work with people from diverse backgrounds, including people, who identify as Aboriginal, LGBTQIA+, people from different cultural, spiritual, religious and linguistic backgrounds. 

    • Bachelor of Social Work - 2012

    • Master of Counselling in Social Work - 2020

    • COPE – Applied Skills in Perinatal Mental Health - 2024

    • Essential Skills in Men’s Behaviour Change Programs - 2024

    • Inclusive Practice in Working with People from Refugee Backgrounds with Diverse Genders, Sexualities and Bodies

    • Safe & Together – Domestic and Family Violence - 2023

    • Blue Knot – Trauma-Informed Practice - 2023

    • Dynamic- Maturational Model (DMM) of Attachment and Adaption

    • SafeSide Suicide Prevention Program- 2022

    • Bringing Up Great Kids Parenting Program- 2021

    • Motivational Interviewing - 2019

    • Solutions-Focused Therapy - 2017

    • Psychological First Aid (Red Cross) - 2017

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - 2014

    • Ongoing Professional Development through lectures, courses, memberships and peer consultation across all relevant areas of practice.

    • NSW Justice of the Peace

Get in touch
  • Black badge with a white outline of a heart in the center.

    Compassionate

    Counselling with me is a gentle, supportive and compassionate process. My approach is grounded in empathy, curiosity, and the belief that you are the expert in your own life.

  • Silhouette of a group of people with a badge or seal around it.

    Trauma-Informed

    With advanced training in trauma, perinatal mental health and grief and loss. I offer care that is safe, inclusive, and attuned to your lived experience.

  • Icon of a computer mouse cursor inside a wavy-edged circle.

    Collaborative

    Therapy with me is a shared process. We work together at your pace to help you gain clarity, build confidence and inner strength and a greater understanding of your sense of self.

My Services

  • My areas of focus include:

    • Perinatal mental health from pre-conception to early parenting, including post partum support.

    • Adjustment to parenthood and stress 

    • Grief and loss, including neonatal loss.

    • Trauma including birth trauma, childhood trauma, healing attachment wounds, and past Domestic & Family Violence

    • Anxiety, persistent stress and low mood

    • Burnout, emotional overwhelm and stress

    • Life transitions (e.g. relationships, work, health)

    • Challenges and changes in relationships and family dynamics

    • Self-esteem, identity, and life direction.

    • Chronic illness and disability adjustment

    • Coping skills and emotional regulation

    Therapy is always tailored to your unique needs and lived experience.

  • To ensure safe and appropriate care, I do not currently provide:

    • Emergency or crisis response services

    • Couples counselling or family therapy

    • Therapy for children or adolescents

    • Legal or court-mandated assessments and reports

    • Psychiatric or diagnostic reports

    • Intensive mental health support for complex conditions (e.g. Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder, eating disorders, active suicidality)

    • Emergency services – Call 000 or go to your nearest hospital

    • NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511 -  NSW Health's 24/7 statewide phone service which links people with NSW Health mental health crisis support.

    • Lifeline – 13 11 14 - Provides 24/7 phone support and suicide prevention for individuals experiencing emotional distress or those caring for someone in crisis. 

    • Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 -  Offers 24/7 phone and online chat for immediate support for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention.

    • 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 - Provides 24/7 phone counselling and support for anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of, domestic and family violence and/or sexual assault.

    • Domestic & Family Violence Line – 1800 656 463 - Provides 24/7 phone counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic violence.

    • PANDA – 1300 726 306 (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) Helpline Ph: 1300726306 (Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 7:30pm, Saturdays 9:00am to 4:00pm). Offers phone counselling and support.

    • Parent Line NSW – 1300 130 052 (Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 9:00pm, and weekends from 4:00pm to 9:00pm). Provides free telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 18 in NSW.

  • I currently offer sessions via:

    • Secure video appointments

    • Phone counselling

    These services allow flexibility and accessibility for clients across Australia.

My Approach

Gentle, Collaborative, and Empowering Counselling

Counselling with me is a gentle, supportive and collaborative process. My approach is grounded in empathy, curiosity, and the belief that you are the expert in your own life. I support adults who are navigating the impacts of life transitions, stress and trauma - offering a safe, non-judgemental space where you can feel truly heard, seen, and understood.

Together, we’ll explore your story and how your past experiences may be influencing the present, and how to build deeper awareness so you can move forward and make meaningful change.

I work gently and respectfully to help you feel more empowered and confident in your life and relationships and to foster greater self-compassion and acceptance.

Whether you’re finding it hard to navigate life transitions, feeling stuck and want support with managing stress, or processing grief or trauma, I’m here to walk alongside you. .

I use a range of therapeutic approaches to suit the needs of my clients and their goals, including:

  • Strengths-based Approach

  • Trauma-Informed Care

  • Attachment Theory

  • Grief and Loss Counselling

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Solution-Focused Therapy

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Family Systems Theory

  • Parenting programs such as ‘Circle of Security’, ‘Bringing Up Great Kids’ and ‘Tuning into Kids’

Get in touch

Ready to begin?

  • I offer a free 15 minute intake call, to ensure we’re the right fit and that I can best support your needs.

    Once complete, standard sessions will be made available.

  • 15 Minute intake call: Free

    Standard Session: $170

    Currently I do not offer any rebates through Medicare or any Health Funds.

  • I require at least 24 hours’ notice for appointment cancellations. Late cancellations or "no show" appointments will incur a $100 fee.

Want to get in touch?