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Therapy for real life.

Most people I work with have been thinking about therapy for a while before they reach out. They want a place to talk through what's been on their mind. Relationships. Family. Work. Parenting. Or why they keep finding themselves in the same patterns.

I believe therapy works best when it feels like a real conversation. My role isn't to tell you what to do. It's to understand your experience, ask thoughtful questions, and help you see yourself and your life from a different perspective. We'll be curious, honest, and make room for humor along

the way.

Whether you're navigating a life transition, working through relationship challenges, or simply trying to understand yourself better, therapy gives you the time and space to pause, reflect, and move forward.

Who I Work With

Relationship Patterns
You may find yourself repeating the same dynamics in your relationships by overfunctioning, feeling unseen, struggling to ask for what you need, or putting everyone else's needs ahead of your own. We'll explore where those patterns began, why they continue, and how to create relationships that feel healthier, more reciprocal, and emotionally safe.

Parenting
Parenting brings joy, responsibility, and constant change. I also work with parents of neurodiverse children, where the emotional and cognitive demands are often greater than others realize. Therapy offers a place to think through those challenges without carrying them alone.

Divorce & Co-Parenting
Separation often brings grief, uncertainty, and difficult decisions long after the relationship ends. Together, we'll work through divorce, co-parenting, rebuilding trust in yourself, and creating a life that reflects where you are now.

Life Transitions & Identity
Career changes, becoming a parent, loss, changes in a relationship, or an empty nest can leave you questioning who you are and what comes next. These moments often invite a closer look at the life you've built and the one you want moving forward.

Caring for Others While Losing Yourself
Many adults reach a stage where they're raising children, supporting aging parents, managing work, and trying to keep everything afloat. Over time, your own needs can become difficult to recognize. Therapy offers the opportunity to reconnect with yourself without feeling guilty for taking up space.

Anxiety in High-Functioning Adults
From the outside, you appear capable and composed. Internally, you may be overthinking, anticipating problems, carrying constant responsibility, or feeling like you can never fully relax. Together, we'll work to understand what drives that anxiety rather than only managing its symptoms.

Childhood & Family Relationships
Early family experiences often shape the way we see ourselves and relate to other people. If you grew up feeling responsible for others, walking on eggshells, staying small, or learning to read the room to keep the peace, those patterns may still influence your relationships today. Therapy provides the opportunity to understand those experiences, heal from difficult family dynamics or emotionally abusive relationships, and build greater trust in yourself and others.

Who I Work With
Contact

Get in Touch

I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re exploring therapy or ready to schedule, you’re welcome to reach out. I look forward to connecting with you.

Tel: ‪(312) 291-1491‬

© 2026 Lauren Smith Psychotherapy PLLC
All rights reserved.

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