Lara graduated from Northwestern University summa cum laude with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has spent the last few years working with a diverse range of clients in the clinical field. Lara is Nationally Board Certified as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor.
Lara travelled extensively through her early career, including spending several years living in London, England, and worked in a variety of fields including non-profits, public relations and as a features writer for various magazine publications. Lara obtained her Undergraduate degree in Psychology, Media & Writing & English from the University of Cape Town and her Honors in Psychology from the University of South Africa.
Lara works with individuals: adults and adolescents on a variety of needs including:
Relationships: peer & friendship conflict, dating, pre-marital & marital counseling, marital enrichment, intimacy, communication, codependency, boundaries, family of origin & attachment issues.
Life Stage Transitions: navigating young adulthood; career & vocation concerns, parenting, midlife and empty nest challenges, relocation adjustment, spirituality and faith issues.
Parenting: preparing for parenthood, postnatal challenges, navigating evolving stages of parenting (early/middle/adolescence/young adulthood).
Anxiety & Stress Management: perfectionism, self-esteem/worth, stress management, sleep disturbances, mind-body connections
Grief and Loss: Trauma, emotional dysregulation, resiliency following loss.
Lara uses an integrative approach to therapy, including elements of psychodynamic theory, existentialism and person – centered counseling. She is passionate about working alongside her clients as they make sense of their life changes and challenges. Her training and varied life experience have prepared her well to help clients navigate their lives to thrive and find meaning and purpose. Lara is a Certified Trauma Professional and has pursued training in Youth Mental Health and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Lara enjoys spending time at home and outdoors with her husband, two young children and their chocolate Labrador Retriever.
