Lauren Carballo, M.A., LMFT

Lauren is a LMFT with advanced training in play therapy.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

As a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I am passionate about fostering healthier family dynamics and empowering individuals to navigate the complexities of their relationships and life stressors. In my practice, I use warmth and compassion to create a nurturing and supportive space where families feel heard, understood, and valued. The challenges and struggles we face in life can become heavy rocks that we carry with us. Although I am not able to fully take those rocks out of your hands, in therapy I aim to help hold those rocks with you, making the weight of them lighter.

My journey into the field of therapy began with a strong belief that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’; meaning that when we are able to work together as a team, and by treating the family system as a whole, we are able to yield greater results both for the family unit and for each individual member. I particularly enjoy using mindfulness techniques, self-compassion, and the Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) model to promote value-driven decision making, inner peace, and connection. I am also well equipped in other therapeutic modalities, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to teach individuals and families structured skills for effectively managing intense emotions and strengthening social relationships.

I recognized the transformative power of play: that play serves as a natural language for children, allowing them to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and non-threatening environment. Drawing upon this understanding, I embarked on a path of utilizing play therapy techniques as a therapeutic tool. Through play-based interventions, children find their voice and inner strength to process their emotional experiences in a healthy way. Bringing families into the therapeutic work, caregivers will learn how to speak the language of play too, strengthening understanding and attachment. In therapy, I facilitate communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, empowering children and their caregivers to navigate challenges and conflicts constructively. Whether addressing issues related to communication breakdowns, anxiety, depression, divorce, trauma, ADHD, or behavioral concerns, I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs and circumstances of each family.

With a background in school-based counseling and specialized training in family therapy and play therapy techniques, I bring a unique approach to helping individuals and families overcome challenges and build connection. I firmly believe in the importance of collaboration and teamwork in the therapeutic process. I work closely with caregivers, and other professionals involved in the family's care, to ensure a holistic and integrated approach to treatment. By fostering a sense of partnership and shared goals, I empower families to actively participate in their own healing journey and effect meaningful change in their lives.

In all that I do, my ultimate goal is to empower clients to cultivate resilience, foster connection, and thrive. Through the transformative power of therapy, I am dedicated to helping families build brighter, more fulfilling futures.

When I’m not in session, I enjoy reading new books, spending time in nature, and getting creative in the kitchen with cooking and baking. I also find joy in physical activities such as yoga, volleyball, swimming, and taking long walks with my husband and my dachshund “Taquito”.

Lauren Carballo, M.A., LMFT
LMFT License # 203315
$185 Individual Counseling Session
$195 Family Therapy