Lauren Gerardi, LMHC

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. - Viktor E. Frankl

Lauren Gerardi, LMHC's style

Why Lauren Gerardi, LMHC chose to be in the helping profession

From a young age, I became aware of how family dynamics and primary relationships shape a person’s personality and sense of self. Moving during my childhood exposed me to a variety of cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and lifestyles, deepening my understanding of how environment and context impact mental health. These experiences shaped my ability to be compassionate, empathetic, and open-minded, and they sparked a passion for supporting individuals navigating challenges like difficult family dynamics, childhood trauma, relationship struggles, and boundary-setting issues.

I believe the therapeutic relationship itself holds immense power. By providing someone with a space to feel truly heard and validated, we can create a foundation for self-acceptance and openness—key ingredients for meaningful, positive change. This belief is what drives my commitment to this work.

Lauren Gerardi, LMHC's approach

I take a holistic and trauma-informed approach to mental wellness, understanding that the mind and body are deeply interconnected and that past experiences often play a significant role in shaping current circumstances. My goal is to meet you where you are, taking into account the unique interplay of your emotions, thoughts, physical sensations, and personal history to guide the therapeutic process.

My work draws on psychodynamic, attachment, inner child, and parts-of-self approaches to delve into how early relational experiences and formative dynamics influence the way you navigate life as an adult. This foundational work is crucial for uncovering patterns, understanding their origins, and creating a path toward greater self-awareness and growth.

At the same time, I believe in equipping my clients with actionable tools to make meaningful changes in their daily lives. To achieve this, I integrate techniques from CBT, DBT, and ACT, focusing on coping strategies, emotional regulation, and relationship-building skills. This blend of insight-driven and practical work allows us to address both the underlying causes of challenges and the immediate hurdles you may be facing.

Our sessions might include exploring present difficulties, processing recurring patterns, unpacking complex emotions, gaining clarity on new insights, or working through difficult memories. Together, we can also focus on aspects of self-discovery, helping you reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been suppressed or neglected over time.

I aim to create a welcoming, supportive, and safe environment where you feel heard, respected, and understood. This foundation allows therapeutic interventions to be fully experienced and integrated, fostering lasting growth and positive transformation. Through this collaborative process, we’ll work toward achieving the clarity, balance, and resilience you need to thrive.

What you can expect from sessions with Lauren Gerardi, LMHC

I take a collaborative approach with my clients. I aim to strengthen and empower you to connect with your own voice and work toward your goals. Our sessions will be guided by what feels most pressing or meaningful to you, while I strive to maintain a balance of active listening, motivational interviewing, and thoughtful guidance. I may challenge you gently when it feels necessary, but always with the intention of meeting you where you are and supporting your growth at your own pace.

Throughout our work together, I prioritize listening with attentiveness, openness, and unconditional positive regard. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, validated, and truly heard. I often bring warmth, humor, and metaphors into our sessions to make the process feel approachable and relatable while deepening understanding.

Between sessions, I may offer points of reflection, self-care exercises, or other actionable steps to help you integrate our work into your daily life. These tools are designed to support your progress, whether you're working on healing, developing insights, or building agency and accountability.

Most importantly, I believe the therapeutic relationship we build together can serve as a powerful foundation for transformation. By fostering trust, connection, and mutual respect, our work can help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, embrace your strengths, and create meaningful change.

Lauren Gerardi, LMHC's experience working with the Jewish community

Over the years as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I have had the privilege of working with clients across the diverse spectrum of the Jewish community. My experience spans from individuals who identify as culturally Jewish but do not engage in religious practices to those deeply connected to the Orthodox community, as well as many who fall somewhere in between. Most of my work has been with Jewish women who identify as Reform or Conservative, navigating their unique journeys within the framework of their faith and culture.

As someone for whom Jewish identity holds deep personal significance, I am passionate about supporting others who share this connection, however, they choose to define it. Judaism is a uniquely multifaceted tradition, offering countless ways to identify with and express it, whether culturally, religiously, or both.

I strive to bring openness, comfort, and cultural sensitivity to my work with Jewish clients. My approach is informed by both professional experience and personal understanding, allowing me to meet individuals where they are in their relationship with Judaism. Whether addressing challenges specific to their Jewish identity or more universal issues, I am honored to provide a safe and affirming space for Jewish individuals from all walks of life.

Lauren Gerardi, LMHC's Book Recommendation Zone

• The Gift of Therapy
• Relationship OCD
• Insecure in Love

Approaches

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  A mindfulness-based approach encouraging acceptance of thoughts and emotions, while promoting committed actions aligned with personal values to enhance psychological flexibility and well-being.
• Attachment-based
  A therapeutic approach focusing on building secure emotional bonds and repairing attachment disruptions, often used to address relationship issues and promote emotional resilience and well-being.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented therapeutic approach that focuses on identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and behaviors to promote positive changes in emotions and overall mental well-being.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a holistic therapeutic approach that integrates cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies, fostering the development of essential skills to effectively manage emotions, enhance interpersonal relationships, and navigate life's challenges.
• Existential
  A philosophical approach exploring individual meaning, freedom, and responsibility, helping clients confront life's uncertainties, find purpose, and make choices aligned with their authentic selves.
• Inner child work
  A therapeutic technique aiming to address past emotional wounds and unmet needs by reconnecting with one's inner child, fostering healing, self-compassion, and personal growth.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
  A therapy viewing the mind as composed of subpersonalities, aiming to harmonize and integrate these parts for improved self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.
• Mindfulness and Meditation
  Practices cultivating present-moment awareness and inner stillness. Mindfulness reduces stress by focusing on the moment, while meditation encourages mental calmness and self-reflection for overall well-being.
• Motivational Interviewing
  A collaborative communication approach helping individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about behavioral change, guiding them toward self-motivated decisions and actions for positive outcomes.
• Psychodynamic Therapy
  A therapeutic approach exploring unconscious processes, childhood experiences, and relationships to gain insight into current behavior and emotions, fostering self-awareness and emotional healing.

Concerns

• ADHD
  A neurodevelopmental disorder causing difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, often impacting daily functioning and requiring tailored support and management.
• Anxiety
  A disorder of overwhelming worry and unease, often with physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, impacting daily life and well-being.
• Celiac Disease
  An autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten consumption, causing damage to the small intestine and leading to digestive issues, malabsorption, and various symptoms. A gluten-free diet is essential for management.
• Codependency
  A dysfunctional relationship pattern where one person excessively relies on and sacrifices their needs for another, often leading to emotional distress, low self-esteem, and difficulty setting boundaries.
• Emotion regulation
  The ability to manage and cope with emotions effectively, leading to improved mental well-being. Developing skills like mindfulness, self-awareness, and healthy coping strategies enhance emotional balance.
• Life purpose and meaning
  Seeking significance and fulfillment in life. Reflecting on values, passions, and engaging in activities aligned with personal purpose enhance mental well-being and overall life satisfaction.
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
  A mental health condition involving intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. Therapy and medication can help manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.
• Relationships
  Interactions with others influence mental well-being. Prioritize communication, empathy, and setting boundaries for healthy, supportive relationships that enhance emotional and psychological balance.
• Stress management
  Coping with daily stressors to maintain mental and physical well-being. Techniques like mindfulness, time management, and self-care help reduce stress and promote emotional balance and overall health.
• Transitions & Change
  Navigating life changes can impact mental well-being. Embrace flexibility, seek support, and practice self-compassion to manage stress and foster resilience during transitions and periods of change.
• Trauma
  Distressing events that overwhelm an individual's ability to cope, causing emotional and psychological distress. Seek trauma-informed therapy to process and heal from traumatic experiences, promoting emotional well-being and recovery.

4 years in practice

Licenses

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor 2023. License number 013355

Degrees

• Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling 2021
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration 2018

Average costs per session

$200

Payment Methods

• Insurance
• Sliding Scale
• Free consultation
• Credit Card

Insurances

• Aetna
• MVP
• Optum
• Oscar
• out of network
• Oxford
• United Healthcare