Lauren Bark

Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee

My name is Lauren Bark (she/her). I take a person-centered, relational approach to therapy. My practice primarily incorporates IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapy, along with Psychodynamic, Somatic-Mindfulness, and Emotion-Focused therapies.

As a clinician, I am dedicated to creating a safe, trusting, and authentic environment that fosters collaboration between the client and therapist. I approach my work with gentleness and compassion, helping you navigate your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with kindness and patience. I emphasize the importance of self-love, self-understanding, and the connection between mind and body, aiming to strengthen your relationship with yourself.

While I believe that therapy and self-discovery are beautiful processes, I also acknowledge that vulnerability and exploring the deepest parts of ourselves can be daunting. My goal is to support you through these challenging moments as another human being.

My clinical interests include anxiety, emotion and mood regulation, self-esteem and confidence, self-exploration, identity, familial or romantic relationship issues, communication skills, stress management, and life transitions.

In my free time, I enjoy experimenting with new recipes, immersing myself in nature, and listening to podcasts or reading thrilling novels. I have a deep appreciation for comedy and aim to find humor in everything—yes, even in the serious world of therapy. I believe that laughter is a universal language that can work wonders for our well-being. After all, a good laugh can be just as therapeutic as a good cry.

Education

BA in Psychology at Sonoma State University 

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Sonoma State University