Lauren Shaw

I have learned and grown as a counsellor through my education and my real world experience, living and learning around the world and meeting people from all walks of life. My goal is to provide the community with various supports that will not only support my clients but Sarnia as a whole. This world is a very challenging place and we need to help those around us as best as we can.

As a counsellor I like to use a trauma informed holistic approach to support my clients. My studies has supported me in understanding each person as a whole and how drastically important it is to not only focus on thoughts and feelings but about the body, mind and soul connection. The body can be a powerful tool in identifying triggers and supporting calmness and I love to explore this using mindfulness and somatic approaches with my clients.

People need safety before anything else to be able to properly explore past history, trauma or to see through current issues. Whether the client needs mental, physical or emotional safety I am here to support them in finding that. Once that safety is found I use a collaborative approach with my clients in exploring what areas from various therapies that can be used to support them on their journey. I draw from many approaches, more specifically I tend to lean into somatic therapy, mindfulness based approaches, strengths based therapy, person center approach, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). I encourage my clients in choosing their own therapeutic path by providing them with education about these approaches so they can make an informed decision about their own care.