Lauren Hales, LMHC, LPC

Lauren Hales is a licensed mental health counselor and licensed professional counselor with 25 years of experience. She focuses on helping people who feel stuck by listening, teaching practical skills, and offering steady support. Her approach aims to reduce overwhelming emotions and improve everyday functioning. Her work draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to change unhelpful thought patterns and on emotionally focused methods to clarify relationship and attachment concerns. She also uses solution-focused strategies and motivational interviewing to build momentum and identify small, useful steps forward. These tools are used alongside mindfulness and activity-based ideas, such as exercise, when appropriate. Lauren has worked in both hospitals and private practice, and she describes therapy as a collaborative process. She starts by accepting people where they are and then helps them add skills to their toolbox. Sessions often focus on managing stress, anxiety, mood changes, sleep and eating problems, and challenges linked to trauma, addictions, or self-harm thoughts. People can expect concrete techniques they can try between sessions and a focus on changing habits that make life harder. She pays attention to relationship patterns, communication problems, control issues, and feelings of isolation or jealousy. Lauren also supports those coping with bipolar mood changes and other mood disorders. Her style is compassionate and practical. She aims to teach ways to feel more in control of emotions, reactions and daily life. Lauren invites clients to work together toward clearer goals and steady progress.