Lauren El-Assad, LCSW
License #55130
Therapy is personal
Therapy must be tailored to the individual. Some people need help working through a specific situation or event. Others are looking for ongoing support. Some of my clients have specific life events that they need help in working through. Others have a desire for life to feel better. Maybe both. I am here to provide a safe, reliable space where we may work through these feelings and collaborate on solutions in a time frame that makes sense for you.
Having experienced my own benefits in therapy, I know what a great investment it can be. Benefits may include:
- Identifying your emotions and learning how to express them
- Understanding what you need and how to ask for it
- Working through life transitions
- Being more engaged in life
We all could use some help
In life, we develop coping mechanisms to deal with difficult situations and feelings. While these strategies worked at the time, they can start to inhibit us from being fully engaged in life. I’m here to help you better understand your emotional and behavioral patterns, identify and maximize your strengths, and make choices that will increase your sense of purpose and agency in life. Areas of particular interest include self-esteem; anxiety; depression; stress management; post-partum support; relationship issues; self-exploration; and life transitions.
Background and training
I hold a master’s of social work from The University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s in English literature from The University of Illinois. My training and education reflect my love of learning each other’s stories and emphasize a systems approach that highlights how social justice issues and environmental factors impact our lives. I have experience working with adolescents and adults who present with a variety of issues. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and stay current on best therapeutic practices by attending continuing education trainings and by participating in consultations.
EMDR
I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is an evidenced-based treatment approach that aims to help people heal from emotional distress that are rooted in life experiences. These experiences can be singular or ongoing, and can range from troubling to traumatic. The basic premise is that the mind has the power to heal itself, as it usually does during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. However, sometimes we experience distress that causes our natural coping mechanisms to become overwhelmed. The experiences are then thought to get “stuck” in our nervous system. During an EMDR session, you will bring up an associated memory or image while I facilitate dual stimulation of your brain (similar to REM sleep) in a non-invasive manner. (Please note: EMDR does not involve hypnosis; you will always be aware and in control). This technique is thought to assist you in processing painful feelings and thoughts until they become less disturbing. With this experience of feeling less encumbered by painful memories and negative beliefs, many clients report they are able to live more fully and flexibly in the present. I believe that EMDR works well because it focuses on all of the ways we process information: cognitively, emotionally, and physically. Prior to using EMDR in session, we will meet to assess whether this is a good approach for you. You may read more about EMDR here.
Interested in learning more? Contact me via email or phone to set-up a free consultation
lauren@centralaustintherapy.com
512.537.9661
Fees
My fees range from $80-$120 for a 55-minute session. I require that this fee be paid at the beginning of the appointment. I accept personal checks, cash, and most credit cards. If you need to cancel your appointment, I ask that you give me at least 24-hours notice. If you cancel within 24 hours of the scheduled time, you will be charged the full fee for the missed session.