Hi, I’m lauren (she/her)

As an LGBTQ+ trauma therapist who has experienced transformation in the client chair personally, I am passionate about creating the same space for you to tell your story, integrate your past, and author your future. I offer in-person and virtual trauma- and attachment-informed therapy with a relational and authentic approach.

I aim to help you extend compassion toward yourself for the ways your body has worked so hard to survive and cope with overwhelming experiences, while also empowering you to have choices to move forward as you heal.

I show up in the therapy room as my genuine self (dry humor and all). I practice from an anti-oppressive and intersectional feminist lens, not just as a professional therapist, but as a compassionate witness to who you are becoming.

Outside of the therapy room (out in the “wild”) I love strong coffee, tackling my to-be-read pile, scouting out the Dallas food scene, cooking, strolling an art museum, and playing with my golden-doodle Atticus.

I would be honored to work with you on your healing journey.

You are good as you are,

Lauren

“there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

—Dr. Maya Angelou

lgbtqia + trauma therapy in dallas, texas for adults and children

specialties

  • Childhood trauma

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) / Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)

  • LGBTQIA+

  • Spiritual abuse + Religious trauma

  • Grief + loss

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Play therapy for children with trauma

  • Individuals

  • Adults 18+

  • Children (5-10 years old)

who i work with

  • $135 - 50-minute session

  • $175 - Initial intake session (one-time fee)

  • $250 - 90-minute session

Lauren’s counseling services are not paneled with insurance and therapy appointments are private pay. You may request a superbill to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement if you have out-of-network mental health benefits.

investment

credentials

  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Minor in Psychology - Tarleton State University (2017)

  • Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Tarleton State University (2021)

    Requires completion of 600-hour internship providing counseling services under supervision

  • Licensed Professional Counselor - Texas License No. 86371

    Requires passing score on the National Counselor Exam (NCE) in addition to 3,000 of supervised experience under an LPC Supervisor

    Click to verify licensure

  • EMDR Certified (2023) - EMDR International Association

    Requires 2 years of experience, at least 50 therapy sessions with a minimum of 25 clients, 12 hours of continuing education, and 20 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA Approved Supervisor

  • Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP)

  • Mindfulness-based interventions

  • Child-centered play therapy

  • Intersectional feminist approach

  • IFS/Parts work informed

  • Attachment-based

therapy approach

  • EMDR International Association

  • American Counseling Association

  • Journey Clinical

  • Inclusive Therapists

  • North Texas Play Therapy Association

professional associations

  • Basic EMDR Training (2021) - Rick Levinson, LCSW, EMDRIA Approved Trainer

    Includes 40 education hours and 10 hours of consultation with an EMDRIA Approved Trainer

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) (2021)

  • Trauma and the Brain and Body: Conceptualizing Play Therapy from the Bottom Up (2021)

  • EMDR Therapy with Complex Trauma and Dissociative Personality Structure (2023) - Jim Knipe

  • Religious Trauma: Reclamation as a Clinical Intervention (2022) - Reclamation Collective

  • Polyvagal Theory (2022) - Jackie Flynn, LMHC, RPT

  • Gender Diverse: Myths & Facts about Gender Affirming Care (2023) - Dr. Dr. Ximena Lopez, MD and Vanessa Sanford LPC-S, RPT-STM

  • Anti-Racism in Play Therapy and Mental Health (2023) - Antoinette Martinez, M.Ed., LPC-S, RPT-S

  • Understanding Sexual Abuse Dynamics and How to Incorporate Play in Evidence-Based Treatments for Childhood Trauma (2024) - Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center

  • Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Theory & Methodology (2024) - Journey Clinical

  • Harm Reduction Therapy (2024) - Dr. Andrew Tatarsky PhD

  • Navigating Difficult Experiences (2024) - Dr. Dominque Morisano, PhD, CPsych

  • Fundamentals of Exposure-Based Therapy for OCD and Anxiety Disorders (2024) - NOCD Academy

trainings completed

my practice is committed to anti-racism, inclusive and affirming of all body sizes, abilities, celebratory of diversity in gender and sexual identities, and supportive of agency of bodily autonomy.

my office

Located within EMPOWERED Counseling, LLC

1755 N Collins Blvd, Suite 310

Richardson, Texas 75080

Hours
By appointment only

Accessibility

The office is ADA compliant and accessible with mobility aids

My office furniture is inclusive to all body sizes

In-person appointments may be moved to virtual upon request at any time for those with chronic illness or disabilities

 
Some thoughts on grief I have been processing (and feeling alongside) with clients over the past week. Grief is a natural response to more than just actual death. You may grieve the loss of anything or anyone you had an investment of yourself into
The most common emotions I have processed with clients (and felt myself) this election week are FEAR, SHOCK, and GRIEF. You are not alone and you are allowed to feel what you feel. “Sometimes we are blessed with being able to choose the time,
Shout out to therapists helping clients process election anxiety all week! Scrolling a little more or reading another prediction will not make your anxiety lessen, so consider other ways of coping. Where activism is possible—voting, donatin

Find me on Instagram! @laurenpennertherapy