Director and Licensed Professional Counselor
Hi, I am Lauren Hartz (She/Her/Hers),
To begin, you should know that I’ve worked in the field of counseling and supporting people in various ways for a little more than 15 years. I was the face at the information desk while in graduate school helping guide visitors at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh and talking to parents, with sick kids, that just needed someone to talk to. As a volunteer, with the Child Life Department, I became as touched and attached to the kiddos on the 9th floor as you would expect of a 20-year-old empath.
I finished grad school and worked as a research assistant/coordinator under some pretty brilliant, passionate women and supported teen girls in areas related to sexual health. Then I was hired to work with more brilliant, passionate women as a Drug & Alcohol Liaison in which I supported teens in local school districts who were at risk for substance use. I left that job because I had a baby and couldn’t stand being away from him.
I accepted a position as a mobile therapist working with kids and their families off and on for the next six years as I learned to balance all of the roles in my life, including two little boys, one with some special medical needs. It helped me to have compassion but to set some boundaries that my 20-year-old empath self still had to learn.
I started working in a private practice setting once I became licensed and loved the work and environment so much that I decided to start my own. I worked as a solo clinician for a few years before I convinced my friend, Angela, to join me because one of the best parts of being a therapist is having friends and colleagues who feel as passionate about the work as you do! We continued to expand because we want to create a space where therapists receive great support so they can serve their clients in a very impactful way. When we have full cups, we help our clients fill their cups, and those people connect with their families, friends and communities in a very impactful way.
I love the Michelangelo quote “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” I see my strength as having the ability to see people in all of their goodness and strengths and to help them to see it. I help my clients to dig in and learn about themselves because with that awareness, we can grow and thrive. I will point out the inconsistency in your beliefs with the reality, usually in a loving way but I can be a bit feisty if necessary. I work with adults, teens and children and love the shift from doing trauma work with an adult to then playing Uno and talking to a kid about a tantrum, what he was thinking and how he can start paying attention to cues and use coping tools.
My availability is limited at this time, but if you think we’d be a good fit, give Shannon a call at 412.228.8489 to ask. I accept Highmark, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, and Cigna insurance plans. If you don’t have or don’t prefer to use insurance, I have a private pay rate of $130 and a sliding scale if that’s not affordable.