About Lauren
"To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work." - Mary Oliver
I am a fifth-year PhD candidate of Counseling Psychology at the University of Kansas. I am a researcher and psychologist-in-training, and I'm always looking for creative ways to advocate for others and disseminate transformative information.
In 2023 I received the American Psychological Foundation Steven O. Walfish Competition Award for my work on addressing harm from adverse religious/spiritual experiences in therapy. I look forward to continuing this work and encouraging healing and positive religious/spiritual functioning while also promoting nonjudgmental, empathic, and multiculturally sensitive therapy practices.
Education
2019 - 2025 (In Progress)
Doctor of Philosophy, Counseling Psychology (APA-Accredited)
University of Kansas
Dissertation: Addressing harm from adverse religious/spiritual experiences in therapy: A qualitative study of individual and therapist perspectives
Proposed and Accepted: September 15, 2023
Defended: May 3, 2024
Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology: Lehigh University Counseling and Psychological Services (2024-2025)
2019 - 2022
Master of Science, Counseling Psychology
University of Kansas
2014 - 2018
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, Honors Humanities, Pre-Occupational Therapy
Indiana Wesleyan University
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Graduate Research Assistant
Juniper Gardens Children's Project, University of Kansas
Clinical Experience
2022 - Present
Advanced Practicum Student
Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2021 - 2022
Advanced Practicum Student
Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO
2020 - 2021
Practicum Student
Hope Psychological Care, Lawrence, KS
Funding and Awards
2024
R. Vance and Marilyn Hall Graduate Student Research Award
Juniper Gardens Children's Project, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS
School of Education and Human Sciences Graduate Travel Support
2023
School of Education and Human Sciences Graduate Travel Support
University of Kansas Doctoral Student Research Fund
Financial support of dissertation qualitative coding software
American Psychological Foundation Steven O. Walfish Competition Award
Awarded for manuscript entitled: Addressing harm from adverse religious/spiritual experiences in psychotherapy: A scoping review.
Financial support of research and APA 2024 attendance
2022
Social Justice and Liberation Award, University of Kansas
Awarded for leadership, creativity, and scholastic work connected to action that actively works to dismantle unjust systems.
School of Education and Human Sciences Graduate Travel Support