My curiosity from a young age about the human experience led me to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Virginia. I then went on to obtain a Masters of Social Work from the University of Denver. My graduate and post-graduate clinical experience focused primarily on children and families and the systems that support them, such as schools, special education and early intervention programs, and social services. I focused a large part of my career in early childhood mental health, which gave me unique insight into how early life experiences influence how people relate to themselves, others, and the world around them.
Over time, it became clear that working with adults was my passion. It also became clear that there was something missing from the traditional approach to therapy, as it didn’t seem like clients could heal as deeply when only focusing on thoughts and behaviors. There was indeed another piece to the puzzle – the nervous system. I had been doing my own work with a therapist trained in Somatic Experiencing® (SE™), a type of somatic therapy. With her, I was educated on what research now shows is the role of the body in healing from trauma. I knew I’d be able to help clients flourish if I could gain more knowledge in SE.
Here’s a quick podcast episode explaining my process.
Finding Your Secure Base, Understanding Psychotherapy with Lauren Goldberg
As a result, I continued my own healing and sought training and consultation in SE™ to help clients learn about the patterns in their nervous systems that helped them survive early life experiences. I am currently a student of SE completing the last year of the three year program and acquiring hours towards a formal certification. With this, I have combined my knowledge of the nervous system and early attachment patterns to develop a unique way of supporting my clients. I now specialize in mood disorders like anxiety and depression, relationship challenges, codependency, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, autoimmune issues, and the effects of being raised by or in a partnership with someone with a personality disorder (please see “my approach” for more information).
One of the many reasons I love being a psychotherapist is that there is always more to learn, and I love to learn. I also take my job very seriously. I am honored to make space for others in their healing, and it’s not a task I take lightly. To continue my growth as a healer, I choose to consult with several mentors per month who pour their acquired wisdom over me. I seek out trainings, read books, and ask lots of questions. Most important, I listen to my clients and never pretend to know everything. I have been on my own personal journey in therapy and continue to do the work, as it is imperative I stay regulated and self-aware.
In addition to the above, I am constantly learning from my clients who are brave enough to teach me about the human experience and, also, from my roles as wife and mother. Feel free to call or email with specific questions about my training.