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Our Therapists

Focusing on your strengths to overcome life challenges

Julia M. Rahn, Ph. D.

Owner/Clinical Psychologist

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Amanda Murphy, LCSW, CADC

Clinical Director

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Emily Brown, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist

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Cortney Kingsmill, LCPC

Staff Therapist

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Judy Ranniger-Meza, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Margo Abrams, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist

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Sarah Strauss, LPC

Staff Therapist

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Lauren Roda, LCPC

Child & Family Therapist

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Hallie Rosenthal, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Alexandra Shuman, LPC

Child and Teen Therapist

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Sophie Goldman, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Laura Kramer, LSW

Licensed Social Worker

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Michelle Garcia

Office Manager

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Sarah Strauss, LSW

Staff Therapist

sarah@studioforchange.com

773-281-8130 x 826

With intentionality and skill, Sarah utilizes a holistic approach to therapy that focuses on the strengths and resiliency of individuals. She believes that humans are complex, multi-dimensional beings and seeks to help clients discover their whole selves. Know that your full self is welcome in her presence. Sarah views therapy as a collaborative experience and invites you to explore your authentic self on your path to healing.

Drawing on techniques from Existential Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing, Sarah works with clients to find the meaning in struggles and strengthen individuals’ capacity for self-compassion, joy, and personal growth. She has specific training in trauma recovery, insomnia, substance use disorders and spiritually-integrated care.

Sarah enjoys working with teens, young adults, and adults with a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, loss/grief, life transitions, PTSD, and overall self-understanding. Her appreciation of the delicate nature of the human experience allows her to meet you where you are at and enable you to grow in self-awareness and understanding.

Sarah obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, she has certifications in substance use disorders, spiritually-integrated therapy and assists with research on spirituality and health. Sarah has experience in a variety of settings including non-profit, residential, and community mental health agencies, as well as private practice. Her specialties are complex trauma, life transitions, body image, depression and anxiety. In addition, she has strong interest and experience in helping adolescent deal with the array of stressors connected with being a teenager in today’s world. Sarah does not shy away from difficult topics like death, identity, religion and spirituality, and addiction. She knows you are the expert in your own life and offers opportunities to gain new, fresh perspectives. Recognizing that people are mosaics of their unique experiences, Sarah empowers you to begin your therapeutic journey with hope and confidence.

Outside of the office, Sarah can be found scoping out the city for coffee shops, singing along to Taylor Swift songs, and writing snail mail to her family and friends.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773.281.8130 x826

Laura Kramer, LSW

Licensed Social Worker

Laura@studioforchange.com

773-281-8130 x 825

If something is out of balance in your life, you may be experiencing depression, anxiety, and even unexplained physical pain. Through a process of self-exploration, Laura will help you understand what is causing these symptoms and preventing you from leading the life you would like to live. She offers a caring, supportive relationship to assist you in developing curiosity, self-awareness, and confidence to make the positive changes needed in your life. Your suffering may be life’s way of calling you towards change. Finding your true path, releasing what no longer serves you, and building on your strengths will help you step into your own vibrancy.

Laura has a Master of Social Work and Master’s in Art History from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a B.A. in Medieval and Renaissance Studies from the University of Michigan. Laura also has a dance, yoga, meditation, and musical theater background. She worked as a tour guide in Florence, Italy for 15 years. As part of her professional journey, she has also supported writers, visual artists, dancers, and musicians while in residency at the Ragdale Foundation in Lake Forest. She designed and implemented Social and Emotional Learning curriculum at Alcott College Prep and has worked as a domestic violence advocate and counselor at the YWCA Evanston-North Shore.

Outside the studio, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband, twin bonus kids, two big dogs, dancing, practicing yoga, going to the theater, watching foreign films, and visiting her friends in Italy.

Laura works with emerging adults, adults, older adults, creatives, LGBTQ+, immigrants, trauma survivors, and issues relating to grief, intimacy, anger, self-esteem, career difficulties, and coping with major life changes.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773.281.8130 x825

Sophie Goldman, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Sophie@studioforchange.com

773-281-8130 x 818

In today’s world we find ourselves and others around us struggling in silence with feelings of anxiety, depression and/or uncomfortable emotions. Sophie believes that everyone deserves to have a space where they can be heard and seen without judgment or criticism. To work through past emotions and make positive changes, Sophie helps her clients identify their emotions, learn and utilize healthy coping skill, create adaptive routines, set boundaries, improve communication with themselves and others, and develop meaningful relationships.

Sophie fosters a meaningful therapeutic relationship through her nonjudgement attitude, helping clients feel comfortable and secure leaning into and understanding their emotions and behavior.  Sophie encourages her clients to find tools within themselves to help overcome life’s obstacles.
Furthermore, she empowers her clients to approach their emotions in a new way without habitually avoiding them. She does this by creating safe space where clients feel supported on their journey of personal growth and change. No matter where someone is at in their life, she meets them there, and together they design an individualized treatment plan to fit their needs.

Sophie has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and her master’s from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Sophie has been working as a therapist for the past 5 years. She started her career at an outpatient center for women and adolescent girls with
eating disorders performing group, family, and individual therapy. While there she utilized the Unified Treatment Model for Eating disorders in combination with a relational approach to address comorbid mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and trauma. More recently, Sophie has spent the last three years working in private practice. She uses the following therapeutic interventions, CBT, ACT, Unified Treatment Model of Eating Disorders, amongst other methods, to help support clients in their self-discovery and recovery.

Sophie welcomes clients who are struggling to cope in our unpredictable world and may be suffering with high levels of anxiety and depression. Sophie also specializes in the treatment of eating disorders, including Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, ARFID, and Body Dysmorphia. In addition, she works with clients who are struggling with ADHD, OCD, Trauma, Women’s Health Issues, Self Esteem, and life transitions.

For fun, Sophie enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to podcasts, watching Netflix, and working out.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773.281.8130 x818

Alexandra Shuman, LSW

Child and Teen Therapist

AlexandraS@studioforchange.com

773-281-8130 x 810

Alex believes that children and teens need a place that feels safe to explore their inner emotional struggles and understand how these struggles lead to behaviors that make it difficult to adapt and grow in their lives.

Furthermore, she knows that creating a space that allows children and teens to be their authentic self is the key to successful therapy. Through active communication and play, every session is a chance for re-centering, self-exploration, and mindfulness, and over time, the reduction in anxiety, improved mood, and decrease in challenging behaviors. In addition, Alex utilizes a psycho-education approach to help her clients understand what their mind and body are going through and offers strategies to change what is no longer working. This allows her clients to overcome challenges that may come their way in the future. 

Alex also believes that the therapy process should be a unique experience for each child and teenager she works with. She understands the complexities of children’s emotions and behaviors and takes the time to look at the person as an individual and tailors her approach based on their needs. Furthermore, Alex strives to make the therapeutic process feel comfortable and nurturing with a focus on setting and obtaining treatment goals that can be met. She connects to her clients through understanding what motivates them and by developing a working and trusting relationship that her clients can depend on.  

Alex holds a bachelor’s degree from Bradley University and a master’s degree from Barry  University. Alex has experience working as a therapist for 3 years in an array of settings. More specifically, Alex has worked with clients from as young as three to adulthood. Additionally,  Alex has experience and interest in facilitating parenting groups that focus on strengthening the parent-child relationship.  

Alex is available to work with toddlers, children, teenagers, and their parents providing individual and family therapy. Alex has a specific interest in working with children who struggle with anxiety, ADHD, and other child-behavior problems. 

Alex moved with her family from Miami to Chicago at the start of the pandemic. She has had no trouble exchanging the heat of Miami for the unpredictable Chicago weather and is looking forward to experiencing all that Chicago has to offer.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773.281.8130 x810

Hallie Rosenthal, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

hallie@studioforchange.com

773-281-8130 x 812

Hallie believes that the therapeutic process should be a highly personal and transformative experience.

She values and relies on the relational component of therapy and strives for her clients to feel truly heard and understood in sessions. Hallie believes that building a trusting, safe, and collaborative relationship is essential to making progress in therapy. She is committed to working with clients to identify their unique needs and make progress towards their goals.

Hallie’s practice focuses on helping clients explore their values and increase self-understanding to create positive growth and meaningful life changes. Hallie specializes in evidenced-based interventions including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RODBT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).  She also draws on various neuroscience-based approaches to explore the mind-body connection and is specifically trained in the assessment and treatment of trauma through Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics.

Hallie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in clinical mental health from Loyola University Chicago. 

Hallie has experience working with clients who are managing depression, anxiety, OCD, interpersonal difficulties, disordered eating and trauma-related disorders. She has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient community mental health, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment. Hallie is currently available to work with adults and adolescents for individual and group therapy. 

Outside of work, Hallie enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and two cats. She also loves walking or biking by the lake, listening to podcasts, and reading fiction. 

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773.281.8130 x812

Amanda Murphy, LCSW, CADC

Clinical Director
amanda@studioforchange.com
773-281-8130 x 824

Amanda’s approach to therapy begins with creating a safe and trusting relationship that empowers you to make positive behavioral changes in pursuit of your goals and values.

Amanda is dedicated to helping you overcome obstacles so that you can engage in your life more fully and live in line with what is truly important to you. Amanda utilizes evidence-based coping tools to help you gain insight into harmful thoughts and patterns to lessen their impact on your daily life. Amanda values compassion, authenticity, and humor in her work and has a warm and empathetic style allowing you to deepen self-awareness and connectedness.

Amanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare and Gender Studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. Amanda specializes in binge eating disorder, compulsive over eating, body trust, HAES, self-esteem, substance abuse, stress management, and trauma informed therapy. Amanda’s experience includes being a sexual assault advocate, a domestic violence advocate, working with veterans, working as a counselor at a women’s halfway house, and working at Eating Recovery Center in the Binge Eating Treatment and Recovery Program.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773.281.8130 x824

Cortney Kingsmill, LCPC

Staff Therapist
cortney@studioforchange.com
773-281-8130 x 808

Cortney’s work focuses on helping others to feel empowered and to identify strengths within themselves in order to achieve a happier, healthier state of being. She offers an emphasis on mindful and holistic health and works towards a greater sense of self-awareness and self-love.

Cortney guides clients along their journey by offering a warm and supportive environment to process the challenges or stressors a person may be experiencing. Her person-centered viewpoint allows her to tailor her sessions to each specific client in order to explore what will work best. She offers empathy and direction while helping clients to challenge thoughts and behaviors that may be negatively serving them, while building on positive insight and the tools to cope with life’s ups and downs. Cortney encourages clients to explore the way they relate to themselves and the world around them and to improve relationships, awareness and self-love. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Eastern Illinois University. Her experience is in a variety of settings, including community mental health centers, residential facilities and private practice and holds a certificate in Trauma-Informed Yoga. 

Cortney is available to work with adults, adolescents and children providing individual and family therapy. 

Outside of the studio, Cortney enjoys spending time with her husky (Enzo), trying new fitness classes, listening to podcasts and exploring the food culture of the city. 

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773.281.8130 x808

Margo Abrams, Psy.D.

Clinical Psychologist
margo@studioforchange.com
773-281-8130 x 802

Margo brings a warm and empathic approach to her work with clients, striving to meet the unique needs of each individual in her care. She views every client as a complex individual with both strengths and areas for growth. Starting with creating a strong and trusting relationship, Margo engages each client in the therapeutic change or assessment process. Margo works with children, adolescents, and young adults providing individual, group, and family therapy.

Margo also provides comprehensive pediatric psychological diagnostic and learning evaluations for children and adolescents. As Margo has had many years of experience working in schools, she is available to consult directly with schools and help advocate for families regarding Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) as well as school behavior plans. She feels strongly that collaborating within the school system is an essential component when working with children. Furthermore, she believes regular communication with parents, schools, and other medical professionals is essential in supporting the child to do their best.

Margo holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communication studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a doctorate in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at a private school in Manhattan, New York. Upon receiving licensure, Margo was asked to stay as a licensed supervising psychologist for the school’s APA accredited training program. She has also worked in other settings including community mental health clinics, outpatient clinics, and a therapeutic day school.

Outside of work, Margo enjoys taking advantage of all the city has to offer! She can be seen walking by the lake, shopping at her local farmer’s market, attending street festivals, and spending time with family and friends.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773.281.8130 x802

Julia M. Rahn, Ph. D.

Owner/Clinical Psychologist Julia@studioforchange.com 773-281-8130 x 820

Over more than twenty years, Dr. Julia Rahn has built a varied career in clinical practice, over the span of which a unifying theme has clearly emerged: to achieve the best outcomes, you must work with the whole person. This is the key to Dr. Rahn’s success in helping individuals and families to define personal goals and to make progress towards those goals. Harnessing the depth and diversity of her clinical experience, Dr. Rahn helps her clients to leverage their strengths to alleviate depression, manage anxiety or other difficult emotions, and to improve relationships with others—as well as with themselves.

Dr. Rahn’s own professional journey has taken her throughout the Midwest, with numerous clinical externships culminating in an internship at the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Dr. Rahn has developed her practice as program director for a pediatric development center, professor of psychology at two universities in Illinois as well as an entrepreneur. As Director of Studio for Change®, Dr. Rahn has sought to create a space within which her clients have access to a rich variety of therapeutic efforts and resources; adding to the Studio’s primary focus on psychotherapy, Dr. Rahn’s practice makes frequent referrals to professionals in nutrition, fitness and hypnosis, and makes frequent recommendations for external resources such as books, art, and social or networking events.

Dr. Rahn is available for speakerships, and has experience in public speaking, television and radio appearances, as well as in publishing for both professional and lay audiences.

When Dr. Rahn isn’t wondering how the world could be a better place to live in and what her role in this change should be, she enjoys participating in spin classes, taking walks by the lake, and visiting her heartland in Northern Michigan.

Please note: Julia is not taking new clients at this time

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773-281-8130 x 820

Our Therapists

Embracing change by empowering you

Michelle Garcia

Office Manager
michelle@studioforchange.com
773-281-8130 x 802

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773-281-8130 x 802

Jodi Daniel, MA, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker jodi@studioforchange.com 773-281-8130 x 812

Jodi embraces a practical approach to therapy, encompassing a variety of therapeutic modalities, to address numerous emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, adjustment issues, adolescent issues, family dysfunction, LGBTQ issues, OCD, personality disorders, mental health disorders, and trauma. She has worked with individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities.

Jodi knows that we all view life through our own lens, and equally that all our lenses are cracked. Each experience adds a new “crack,” skewing our view (for better or worse) of ourselves, others, and the world around us. Exploring our own, unique context allows space for understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, empathy, healing, growth—and change!

Jodi’s practice begins where the client is at, and remains centered on the client and their strengths. She establishes safety and trust to allow for a collaborative and authentic therapeutic relationship, dynamically re-evaluating as therapy progresses to ensure that the client’s primary concerns and needs are met. Jodi firmly believes that successful therapy not only relieves symptoms but fosters inner capacity and resources to allow clients to live with greater freedom, contentment and possibility.

Jodi helps her patients to understand and accept themselves as the foundation for emotional insight, mood regulation and improved interpersonal patterns and attachment styles. She empowers clients with greater skills for communication and self-expression. Such self-acceptance, emotional insight and skillful communication combine to foster greater empathy for others.

Jodi is available for therapy with individuals (teenagers and adults), couples and families.

Jodi and her husband enjoy sharing their lives with their two mini-dachshunds (their “furry children”). The beach is Jodi’s happy place and she loves traveling as much as possible to broaden her concept of people, herself, and the world we live in.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773-281-8130 x 812

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Judy Ranniger-Meza, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
judy@studioforchange.com
773-281-8130 x 806

In a varied career spanning over twenty years, Judy has worked in foster care, residential therapy, adoption preservation, community mental health and in both group and solo private practice. Her roles in these settings have been clinical, supervisory and administrative.

The unifying theme of Judy’s work has been recognizing innate wholeness and potential within each individual—and then helping to unlock it. Judy guides others to discovering this wholeness and accessing it to facilitate their own healing. Those facing grief and loss, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties and life transitions all benefit from Judy’s approach. In addition, Judy applies her strength-based, holistic approach to assist struggling families and in her individual work with children. She emphasizes that collaborative effort is key to meeting individual or family goals, such as increased functioning, clarity, sense of purpose, a greater sense of peace and an increased capacity for joy.

Judy holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has received training in Theraplay® and done advanced work in Internal Family Systems therapy.

Judy is available for work with children, adolescents, adults and families. She is also available to lead mindfulness groups and other psycho-educational groups.

Ordained an interfaith/ interspiritual minister in 2017, Judy pursues her lifelong commitment to living a spiritual life through creating and maintaining community, spiritual study and growth, spiritual activism, and assisting others in their life’s journey through spiritual counseling and performing marriage, funeral, and other sacred ceremonies.

Learn more about Spiritual Therapy

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773-281-8130 x 806

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Emily Brown, Psy.D.

​​Clinical Psychologist
Emily@studioforchange.com
773-281-8130 x 804

With a deep base of experience, Emily brings a focus on mindfulness and self-awareness to her clients, helping each to identify their authentic values and craft lives more fully in line with what is truly important to them.

Emily builds client relationships enriched by honesty, flexibility and good humor. Warm and direct, Emily helps each client to explore the thoughts and behaviors that shackle them, the patterns in which they feel “stuck”. She helps clients to build the insights, perspectives and coping skills needed to dislodge the patterns that serve them poorly, to accept conditions beyond their control, and to engage their lives authentically, intentionally and productively.

Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington and a doctorate in psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She enriched her training during a pre-doctoral internship in addiction treatment and a post-doctoral fellowship at Regional Mental Health Centers in East Chicago. More recently, Emily has been a primary therapist and Clinical Manager of a program specializing in Mood, Anxiety and Trauma-Related concerns. She has employed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in her work. Emily’s work has exposed her to a wide range of practice setting and levels of care, to include residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient and community mental health.

Emily works with adults and adolescents providing individual, family and group therapy.

Outside of work, Emily waves the banners of Chicago and Seattle in her passion for sports, and nourishes her appetites for exciting food and exploration by scouting and sampling Chicago’s amazing culinary landscape.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773-281-8130 x 804

emily-square

Emily Brown, Psy.D.

​​Clinical Psychologist
Emily@studioforchange.com
773-281-8130 x 804

With a deep base of experience, Emily brings a focus on mindfulness and self-awareness to her clients, helping each to identify their authentic values and craft lives more fully in line with what is truly important to them.

Emily builds client relationships enriched by honesty, flexibility and good humor. Warm and direct, Emily helps each client to explore the thoughts and behaviors that shackle them, the patterns in which they feel “stuck”. She helps clients to build the insights, perspectives and coping skills needed to dislodge the patterns that serve them poorly, to accept conditions beyond their control, and to engage their lives authentically, intentionally and productively.

Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington and a doctorate in psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She enriched her training during a pre-doctoral internship in addiction treatment and a post-doctoral fellowship at Regional Mental Health Centers in East Chicago. More recently, Emily has been a primary therapist and Clinical Manager of a program specializing in Mood, Anxiety and Trauma-Related concerns. She has employed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in her work. Emily’s work has exposed her to a wide range of practice setting and levels of care, to include residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient and community mental health.

Emily works with adults and adolescents providing individual, family and group therapy.

Outside of work, Emily waves the banners of Chicago and Seattle in her passion for sports, and nourishes her appetites for exciting food and exploration by scouting and sampling Chicago’s amazing culinary landscape.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773-281-8130 x 804

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Lauren Roda, LCPC

Child & Family Therapist
lauren@studioforchange.com
773-281-8130 x 816

Lauren’s approach to therapy is collaborative and family oriented. Emphasizing integration, Lauren builds relationships not only with the child and family, but also with schools, physicians and other members of the child’s community. Lauren helps your child to build skills and behaviors to guide them to their fullest potential.

Because she understands the process can be intimidating. Lauren creates a safe, inviting environment for children and their families to explore and grow. Throughout, strengthens communication and attachment between the parent and child.

Lauren’s practice includes parent-child relationships, early childhood, parent training, behavior management, divorce, and autism spectrum disorders. Lauren has experience providing individual, family, and group therapy in an array of settings, including private practice, behavior hospitals, and schools as a therapist and coordinator.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University, with honors in Psychology, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice) from Roosevelt University. Lauren is a published author in the Child and Care Youth Forum, based on research with Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.

Lauren is available to work with toddlers, children, and parents. She will also provide parent training and social skills groups for children and their families.

Outside of the studio, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family and dog, Charlie, and participating in winter and summer activities in Northern Michigan.

START THE CONVERSATION TODAY

773-281-8130 x 816