Lauren Goodes

Life can feel heavy when you’re holding everything together on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or unsure of yourself on the inside. You might be a parent watching your child struggle with big emotions, confidence, or school stress and wondering how to help without making things worse. Or you might be a teen or young adult who feels misunderstood, stuck in your head, or exhausted from trying to be “strong” all the time.

Do you find yourself wondering why things feel so hard even when you’re doing your best or noticing these same patterns showing up in your child, especially through behavior that feels confusing or hard to manage?

I work with children, teens, and adults under 40 who are navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, confidence challenges, and the effects of stress or trauma. I also support youth who are struggling with behavioral concerns, school challenges, frequent discipline, defiance, or involvement with systems that often focus more on punishment than understanding. Often, these struggles don’t show up in obvious ways. They can look like emotional shutdowns, panic, irritability, acting out, difficulty at school or work, trouble with authority, or a persistent feeling of not quite belonging.

My approach is trauma-informed and focused on meeting clients where they are. I understand that behavior is communication, especially for youth who haven’t always felt safe, heard, or supported. I help clients make sense of what’s happening in their mind and body, learn emotional regulation skills, and build confidence in expressing their needs and boundaries. Therapy with me is not rushed or surface level; we slow things down, build trust, and focus on practical tools that can be used in real-life situations.

I bring over seven years of experience working with children, teens, and young adults across clinical, school, and justice-involved settings, including incarcerated youth and young adults. My trauma-informed approach is shaped by a background in neuroscience and combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and strengths-based interventions to help clients regulate emotions, manage stress, and build confidence. I provide individual therapy and support clients navigating anxiety, trauma-related stress, identity development, and communication challenges.

When supporting children and teens, I also collaborate with parents and caregivers to help them better understand what’s driving their child’s behavior and feel more confident in how they respond at home. My goal is to help clients feel safer, feel seen, and more capable of navigating life when things get hard.

If you’re looking for therapy that meets you where you are and supports meaningful, lasting change, I’d be glad to connect for a free 20 minute consult.