Lauren Garcia (she/her)

Associate Clinical Social Worker #112910

Supervised by Mona Tahsini, LMFT #49806

CLINICAL APPROACH

Most of us are better at helping others. When we see someone struggling, it’s easy to extend compassion and help. However, many of us who are great at helping others struggle to give that same energy back to ourselves. I know how challenging it can be to ask for help, and I want you to know that you don't have to wait until rock bottom to reach out.

Theoretical Orientation

I practice from a client centered, holistic, and strength-based approach. My priority is to always meet clients where they're at. No pressure, no expectations. My objective is to collaborate, assist, and work at a pace that feels as comfortable as possible. You can always count on me to be warm, genuine, and personable.

My experience and interests as a therapist are broad. I decided to become a therapist because I wanted to work with teens and families but have enjoyed working with adults and couples as well. I have a lot of passion for those experiencing or affected by substance abuse, family conflict, relationship issues, low self-esteem/self-confidence, bullying, and abuse (physical, emotional, sexual).

ABOUT ME

My passion for this work is my greatest asset. I became a therapist because of my own struggles as a teenager—I wanted to become the person for others that I needed when I was a teen. As a therapist, I feel an immense sense of gratitude to have the opportunity to stand alongside, assist, and empower clients as they move and work through their own personal struggles.

I deeply value independence and authenticity. It brings me great joy to see others be vulnerable in the pursuit of their goals. It inspires me to witness others take risks and fearlessly be themselves during the process.

In my time away from work you can find me hiking, on a road trip or traveling, exploring a new place, creating jewelry, dancing, or watching live music. I consider myself a well-rounded person who is constantly seeking growth and new experiences.

SERVICES I OFFER

In-person & virtual sessions for:

  • Relationship Therapy

  • Parent Support Therapy

  • Individual Therapy (Teens & Adults)

  • Family Therapy

THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES & PRACTICES I USE

  • Gottman Couples Therapy

  • Humanistic Therapy

  • Mindfulness

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Narrative Therapy

  • Non-Violent Communication

  • Person-Centered Therapy

  • Play Therapy

  • Relational Therapy

  • Solution-Focused Therapy

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

  • Art Therapy

  • Attachment-Based Therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (trauma-informed)

  • Crisis Intervention

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

  • Existential Therapy

  • Family Systems Therapy



SPECIALTIES

  • Interpersonal effectiveness

  • Meditation/Mindfulness

  • Relationship issues

  • Self-esteem/self confidence

  • Substance abuse and the family impact

  • Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual)

  • Bullying

  • Codependency

  • Communication

  • Family Conflict


AREAS OF CONCERN I WORK WITH

  • Illness Within the Family

  • Impulsivity

  • Infidelity/Cheating

  • Learning Difficulties

  • LGBTQ+ Concerns (Anxiety, Coming Out, Depression, Discrimination from Family/Friends/Community, Gender Dysphoria, Gender Identity Exploration, Gender Incongruence, Interpersonal Connections, Parenting, Romantic Relationships, Sexual Orientation Exploration, Transitioning)

  • Life Transitions

  • Loneliness

  • Neglect

  • Oppositional & Defiant Behaviors

  • Parenting Issues

  • Perfectionism

  • Pessimism

  • Phobias

  • Procrastination & Motivation

  • PTSD

  • Relationship Problems

  • School Avoidance

  • Self-Esteem

  • Self-Harm

  • Sensitivity To Rejection & Criticism

  • Sexual Assault (Survivor)

  • Shyness

  • Social Skills

  • Spiritual & Religious Issues

  • Stress & Stress Management

  • Substance Use

  • Suicide (Attempted & Ideation)

  • Trauma

  • Trust Issues

  • Video Game Addiction

  • Abandonment

  • Abuse (Emotional, Verbal, Physical) (Offender)

  • Abuse (Emotional, Verbal, Physical, Sexual) (Survivor)

  • Academic Problems

  • Acting Out Behaviors

  • Adoption

  • Aging & Geriatric Concerns

  • Aggression/Violence (In Children, Teens & Adults)

  • Anger

  • Anxiety (Generalized, OCD, Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder, Social)

  • Attachment Issues

  • Attention Problems/ADHD

  • Autism Spectrum

  • Bipolar

  • Blended Families

  • Body Dysmorphia

  • Body Image

  • Bullied By Others

  • Bullies Others

  • Codependency

  • Communication Difficulties

  • Cultural Issues

  • Death

  • Depression

  • Depression (Seasonal)

  • Developmental Delays

  • Discrimination

  • Disordered Eating (ARFID, Binging, Orthorexia, OSFED, PICA, Purging, Restricting, Rumination)

  • Divorce (Supporting Children, Teens & Adults)

  • Domestic Violence

  • Family Conflict

  • Grief, Loss & Bereavement

  • Health & Medical Problems

  • Identity Exploration

* Areas of concern in bold are areas I'm particularly passionate about working with

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Education:

  • Master of Social Work, Boise State University

  • Bachelor of Social Work, University of Central Florida

Work Experience: 

  • In-Home Teen and Family Coach at Teen Therapy Center (2023-Present)

  • Private practice therapist at Cornerstone Family Therapy, LLC. Provided individual, couples, and family therapy to a wide demographic of individuals experiencing a range of issues and mental health disorders. (2021-2022)

  • Inpatient substance use therapist at Northpoint Recovery. Facilitated individual and group therapy for those struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. (2020-2021)