Lauren Riddles (she/her)

Mental health comes to us in a variety of settings. It impacts our lives in a number of ways: personally, socially, in our careers, and academically. I believe in approaching each prospective client holistically. You exist outside of the therapy room, in your everyday life, so why not treat you in all your dimensions? I specialize in working with those with anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as those experiencing trauma. I chose to specialize in military social work throughout my graduate education because of my lived experience as a military child. I had the honor of supporting my parents during their military careers throughout my childhood! My passion for serving and supporting our country's military members and their mental health runs deeper than a "thank you for your service"! I have grown to understand the complexities that military service members and their families face throughout their careers and what they face when they transition back into the civilian world.

Behind every personal struggle and angry outburst is a whole person who craves safety, love and reciprocity within interpersonal relationships. We all have learned reactions, whether positive or negative, that have served us in our past experiences and it is up to us to take back control of our lives and build emotional strength that serves us moving forward. Every person deserves their humanity to be restored, no matter their past history. Our past does not have to define us, instead it gives us something to grow from. None of us exist in a vacuum. Many factors play into our reactions, hardships and daily stressors. We all have multiple identities that come together to paint our unique selves, therefore therapy needs to address this intersection. Most importantly, we know that experiencing hardship in life is inevitable, but it is how we move forward and grow from it that defines our personal journey. Post-traumatic stress can lead to post-traumatic growth if given the opportunity!