Lauren Casas

Lauren Casas, MA, MEd, LPC, ACS, is the founder of Symbol of Hope Counseling, LLC and a seasoned clinician with more than twenty years of experience supporting children and families. She has led programs within New Jersey’s nonprofit mental health sector and was honored with the 2026 Diamond Courage and Compassion Award for her leadership in children’s services.

Lauren is a licensed professional counselor and approved clinical supervisor with graduate training in counseling and in neuroscience and trauma. A volunteer with the Attachment and Trauma Network, she has dedicated her career to understanding how adversity shapes the developing brain and uses this trauma‐informed lens to guide her work.

Warm, steady, and deeply attuned, Lauren creates a nurturing space where children can heal and grow, especially those recovering from trauma, navigating anxiety, or adjusting to family changes such as divorce or other significant life challenges. She places strong value on a team approach, working closely with parents and actively collaborating with schools, teachers, and other providers involved in a child’s care to ensure consistent, connected support across all environments.

Please visit www.symbolofhopecounseling.com for more information about Lauren's approach to counseling with childre

During the first session, Lauren meets with parents to learn about their child’s history, strengths, and current challenges, and to begin building a strong, collaborative partnership. This conversation helps create a shared understanding and sets the foundation for meaningful teamwork throughout the therapy process. When children begin their own sessions, the work is playful, sensory‐based, nurturing, and fun, giving them a safe and engaging space to express themselves, explore their feelings, and begin healing in ways that feel natural and comfortable.