Licensed Therapist in Charlotte, NC

You’ve set incredibly high standards for yourself most of your life, and it’s pushed you to become the high achiever you are.

But despite all your success, you remain ridden by anxiety and persistent feelings of low self-worth.

Deep down, you question the quality of your relationships, if others will accept the real you, and if you’ll ever be truly enough—and the near-constant worry of it all can sometimes feel almost impossible to manage.   

But the good news is you don’t have to do it alone. Together, we can work towards building a life that feels authentic and that you fully enjoy living.

Lauren Barker, Licensed Counselor in Charlotte, NC

Hi, I'm Lauren.

I support and encourage adults as they process trauma and anxiety, heal relationships to self and others, and step into who they truly are as individuals.

If you're here because...

  • Past and present traumas leave you feeling stuck and anxious
  • You’re struggling to form meaningful connections with others
  • You’re under immense pressure from yourself and those around you
  • Valuing yourself feels impossible to achieve
  • You’re afraid that being yourself isn’t enough, or that others will judge the real you

I can help you...

  • Safely process the painful experiences that hold you back
  • Learn to connect more fully with others
  • Develop coping skills to use when it all feels like too much
  • Enhance your self-worth by connecting more deeply with yourself 
  • Rework faulty core beliefs and build self-confidence 

What's it like to work with me?

I became a counselor first and foremost to help others. It may sound cliché, but it’s true. My ultimate goal is to leave this world somehow better than I found it, and I feel that helping others navigate their own healing journeys is a beautiful way to do this. In my time as a human thus far, I have noticed that our world tends to leave some folks out, let them “slip through the cracks,” or simply tell them they are not enough as they are. I always felt it was important to challenge this unfortunate reality, and I’ve found a lot of passion and purpose in this work through becoming a therapist.

As a therapist, I am soft-spoken, compassionate, non-judgmental, and always aim to meet you wherever you are at. Life can be unforgiving, so I usually start by checking in with you to see what you’re bringing into our session each time we meet. I lead by listening, always making space for you to share your concerns or struggles.

I also believe therapy is a collaborative process and view us as partners in the therapeutic journey. While I do have my own clinical skillset, you are the expert on you, and nothing takes precedence over that. I don’t ever practice from the mindset that coming to therapy means there is something “wrong” or “fixable” about you; you have inherent value as a human and anything we work on together can only further enhance your worth. 

Engaging in therapy can be extremely powerful, but it can also feel scary and intimidating at times. I approach our therapy space as a safe container where the outside noise of the world can be tuned out as we focus on you. When required, I will gently challenge and encourage you in paths of new growth and exploration (hopefully with a little humor where appropriate). 

Lauren Barker, mental health counselor and therapist

Areas of expertise:

Types of therapy:

Brainspotting

Individual therapy

Person-centered

Trauma-focused

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)

Integrative

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Accepted insurance:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Off the clock

In my free time, I enjoy playing with my rabbit, reading psychological thrillers, and watching episodes of older TV shows (I Love Lucy is an all-time favorite!). I also love interior design and frequently upcycle or remodel my environment when the mood strikes.

Ready to get started?

If you think we’d be a good fit, you can click the button below to schedule an appointment now. 

Still have questions? Simply request a free 15-minute phone consultation to get a better idea of what working together would look like. I’m excited to meet you and get started!

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