Lauren Smalling

Sometimes you can recognize that something in your life isn’t working, but figuring out how to change it can feel overwhelming. You may be navigating mental health challenges, healing from trauma, struggling with substance use, or experiencing family conflict that leaves you feeling disconnected from the people who matter most. I’m Lauren, a social work professional who has been helping people navigate life’s challenges since beginning my career in the field. I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2011 and my Master of Social Work from Louisiana State University in 2013. My experience includes intensive outpatient treatment, case management, assessment and diagnosis, substance use counseling, mental health, and trauma-informed care. I’ve also worked with adolescents experiencing substance use challenges and have a particular passion for helping families repair relationships and build healthier connections. In 2024, I presented at a conference on the treatment and diagnosis of schizophrenia and taught a class on developing effective adolescent substance use programs. I believe people are more than the challenges they face, and therapy can help you reconnect with your strengths and move toward a healthier future.

Our work will focus on understanding who you are beneath the coping patterns you’ve developed and helping you build healthier ways to navigate life. I believe you are the expert on your own experiences, and my role is to listen, understand your perspective, and help you discover what works best for you. I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you recognize how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another and practice more helpful responses. Solution-Focused Therapy helps us identify your strengths and establish practical steps toward your goals, while Narrative Therapy allows us to examine the stories you tell yourself about your life and consider new perspectives. Motivational Interviewing can help you explore uncertainty and strengthen your own motivation for change, and trauma-focused approaches can support you in processing difficult experiences at a pace that feels manageable. When family relationships are a concern, we can explore communication patterns, identify barriers to connection, and work toward healthier ways of relating to one another. My approach is collaborative, focused on your perspective, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change is possible when we understand the patterns that no longer serve you and develop healthier alternatives.

Our first session will begin with reviewing your assessment, getting to know you, and understanding the challenges that have brought you to therapy. I’ll listen to your concerns, learn more about your experiences, and work with you to identify what you hope to accomplish. Together, we’ll develop a treatment plan with goals that are realistic, measurable, and meaningful to your life. As we continue, sessions will focus on understanding patterns, strengthening coping skills, and making progress toward the changes you want to see. You can expect thoughtful questions, collaborative conversations, and an approach that respects your perspective while helping you recognize opportunities for growth. Whether you’re working through personal challenges, addressing substance use concerns, healing from trauma, or trying to repair family relationships, we’ll focus on building skills that support lasting change. My goal is to help you move beyond simply getting through each day and toward a life with healthier coping strategies, stronger relationships, and greater resilience.