Lauren Smith, LCPC

You might be stuck, but you’re not broken

I know that trying even harder than you already are in these moments feels impossible; that’s not laziness, that’s exhaustion. No matter how many false starts (in life, or in therapy) you’ve had, being stuck doesn’t mean being broken. And it’s not an issue of “not trying hard enough.” It’s an issue of having the right support.

I’m here to support you; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And regardless of whose idea it was for you to come here, we’re going to take those steps at YOUR pace.

Lauren Smith’s Background and Approach to Therapy:

The idea of therapy can seem daunting. Usually when someone feels this stuck, there’s something underneath it. Could be anxiety, trauma, a fear of failure (or maybe a fear of success), or just feeling like nothing’s going to work. I believe anyone and everyone is capable of making positive changes with the right tools and support. In my opinion, the most challenging and most impactful step is acknowledging that you need that support. For some clients, figuring that out is exactly where we begin. Wherever you’re starting from, I balance being warm, direct, and engaging.

I work with tweens, teens, and adults, with a special love for teens. If you’re a teenager reading this, I want you to know that YOU are my client and I prioritize YOUR mental health needs first and foremost. And if you’re their caregiver, please trust that I’m bringing a healthy and trained perspective to your child’s goals. Raising a teenager is hard! While I can’t directly be your parent coach, I can and will hold you in an empathic light while also honoring your child’s perspective.

I hold a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Over the past several years, I’ve worked with children, adolescents, and young adults in inpatient behavioral hospitals, residential programs, and partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs.

No two treatment plans look the same, because I tailor my approach to who you are, your strengths, and your goals. My clinical training includes Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). I also bring my love of movies, TV shows, and music into therapy. Media can be a powerful catalyst for self-reflection, emotional expression, and connection, so I may draw on your interests and bring in scenes, characters, or lyrics that deepen our conversations. Alongside expressive approaches like art and sandtray, this helps make therapy more personal to you.

Professional Licensure

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Maryland
Licensed Professional Counselor (LCP), Virginia

Get to Know Lauren Smith

Beyond the Therapy Room

Originally from the Montgomery County area, I have spent most of my life here. When the weather warms up, you’ll often find me immersing myself in live music events and engaging in outdoor training sessions with my dog in public spaces.

Along with this lovable larger-than-life pup, Malu, my boyfriend and I embark on exciting outdoor adventures. As the colder months settle in (although, let’s be honest, this applies year-round), I find immense joy in playing board games, indulging in video games, refreshing my living space, and immersing myself in captivating books or tv shows. Traveling is another passion of mine, and I recently acquired my passport, opening up exciting opportunities for future adventures.

Contact Lauren Smith

Email: lauren@mccounselingcenter.com

Blog and Publications

The 8 Phases of EMDR: An Adventure to Emotional Healing and Recovery