I believe that every person deserves the space to be seen and heard for who they truly are. Life can be hard and having to deal with mental and emotional challenges in silence should never be the case. I am passionate about providing a safe and non-judgmental space to individuals struggling with their mental health no matter the reason. My clinical counseling experience working with clients ages 12-65 facing a wide variety of mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, OCD, PTSD, self-esteem issues, life transitions, relationship and family issues, mood disorders, and personality disorders. No matter the reason you are seeking therapy, I am committed to working as a team to achieve your goals and improve your overall quality of life and functioning. I use an integrative approach to make sure that each client’s unique needs get met, and she is always operating from a trauma-informed lens. Lauren believes that a strong therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance and she looks forward to building that with you. I am Licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in the state of North Carolina. I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in August of 2024 with a Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling). I also hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia (2021).

Whether you've been to therapy before or this is your first time seeking support, the decision to come to therapy is never an easy one. It takes courage to pause, reflect, and choose something different for yourself, and I honor you for taking this first step. Now that you’re here, we can begin navigating the challenges ahead with clarity, compassion, and a sense of partnership.  I believe therapy is more than just talking; it is a space where you can gently lay down the weight you’ve been carrying and begin to make sense of your story with support. My decision to become a therapist is deeply personal. It began with the realization that I could no longer carry everything alone, and that healing started with honesty. That experience shaped my belief that therapy should be a place where your whole self is welcomed and understood. You deserve a space where you don’t have to edit your story or silence your emotions to be heard. I support individuals, couples, and families, from teens to older adults, who are navigating anxiety, depression, infidelity, parenting challenges, the impact of past experiences, relational disconnection, or simply feeling stuck. Using an integrative approach grounded in Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and family systems work, help clients improve communication, rebuild trust, and better understand the emotional patterns that keep them feeling stuck. Clients often describe me as warm, empathetic, with a touch of gentle honesty. Our work together will be collaborative, at your own pace, and tailored to your specific needs. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Associate and a graduate of Pfeiffer University. If you’re ready to begin making sense of your story and move toward a more grounded and empowered version of yourself, I’m here to walk that journey with you. Let’s begin.

Hi, my name is Luz, my pronouns are she/her/hers, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). I worked as a teacher for over 15 years before making the journey into a community mental health career. I have experience in mobile crisis response, trauma, forensic mental health concerns. To explain who I am as a therapist, I reflect back to my role as an educator. In the classroom, there was a movement for the teacher to be less of a “sage on the stage” (teacher-centered approach) and more of a “guide on the side” (student-centered). To me, therapy is a lesson plan for a learning experience. It's a guide to develop what the client needs to learn in order to cope with whatever barriers are showing up in the client's life, whether that barrier is an internal issue, such as self-image, or how to cope with work stress. My therapeutic perspective is to provide empathetic, non-judgmental, compassionate guidance and support in an atmosphere of respect and safety while allowing clients to be the experts of their lives, much like “a co-pilot, a sous chef, or an assistant manager” of a client-therapist relationship. I am trained in EMDR therapy to address traumatic incidents, I use solution-focused elements to help move toward desired goals, cognitive behavioral techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts, and motivational interviewing to help gain understanding and clarity. Outside of traditional therapy, I enjoy the practices of mindfulness, guided meditation, aromatherapy, and Reiki. Finding a therapist that's the right fit can be a challenging task, but taking that first step towards a healthier you is worth it. I look forward to working with you to help break down those barriers and make progress in areas that most matter to you.