It’s nice to “meet” you! I’m Dr. Lauren Smithee (PhD, LMFT). I’m a queer, trauma-informed therapist who also identifies as white, able-bodied, and cisgender. As a queer person myself, I understand firsthand how challenging it can be to discover who you are, to build relationships, and to thrive in a culture with so much heteronormativity and marginalization of LGBTQ+ people. I keep this in mind and approach therapy with my clients with a trauma-informed and strengths-based lens.

I love to encourage my clients, to help them to build confidence and self-compassion, and to work to trust themselves and their innate strengths. I use approaches in my work such as mindful self-compassion, DBT skills, emotion-focused work, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and EMDR. I have been told that I am a good listener and that I have a a calming and compassionate presence. It is my goal to help my clients to feel seen, empowered, and respected in therapy.

During both my master’s and doctoral programs, I have worked with LGBTQ+ people (including many transgender people in individual, couple, and family therapy). I have years of specialized training in providing trauma-informed and affirmative therapy practices and I continue to stay up to date with training and research.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. I hope to hear from you soon!