GET TO KNOW ME

Lauren Bayer, MS, LPC

When I was a kid, I wanted to be Deanna Troi. I thought it was amazing the way she connected with others and helped them face different emotions and challenges. It took me a while but I found my way back to that interest in counseling as an adult. I was inspired and encouraged by the support, guidance and self-awareness that I gained in working with a counselor to address my own mental health, questions of identity and plans for my future.

I am a graduate of Texas State University with a BA in History then spent a year teaching history. Teaching helped me realize that I was really passionate about my student’s growth as people but not as passionate about their academic growth. This led me to looking for other ways to support learning and growth in others.  I attended Texas A&M University-Commerce and graduated with a MS in Community Counseling. My graduate internships focused on working with families affected by domestic violence. I provided individual and group counseling to victims, witnesses and perpetrators.

Eventually, I decided I wanted to broaden my scope of practice and left agency work for private practice.  I am passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ identities, neurodivergence, body positivity and chronic illnesses. I aim to provide an affirming space in which clients are not forced to educate their providers before they can receive care. As a queer, fat, neurodivergent woman with chronic illness, I am personally familiar with how important it is for members of a community to have access to providers who understand their experiences.

I work with individuals aged fifteen and up. I have experience working with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity, life transitions, gender identity, sexual orientation, career/education choices, family of origin issues, and relationship issues. I utilize a client-centered approach and tailor sessions to the individual client.  I believe in working with an entire person, not a diagnosis, and aim to work with people on their concerns, not on a preconceived notion of what I think they need. I incorporate EMDR, expressive arts techniques, skill building and Sandtray into my sessions when appropriate. I love a good metaphor and will turn your own words around to make my point.                           

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our pets. We have two dogs, Watson and Lucy, and a cat named Ember. I also love board games, reading, crafting, and baking. I make an awesome snickerdoodle. If I could offer everyone one piece of advice it would be that it is okay to rest, that’s how we keep going later.

Lucy

Hi there! I am a rescue dog who is happy to be in my furever home and excited that I get to go to work with one of my humans to make new friends! I love cuddling up with clients and helping them face big emotions. I believe everyone deserves love and support. Belly rubs are my favorite but head scritches are good too! Mom is working on training me as a therapy dog but I think I’m pretty good at it already! I am also happy to go in my crate for a nap if clients need some space!