online or in-person therapist for anxiety, ocd & trauma in south carolina
Think more clearly.
Trust yourself.
Live with ease.
Hi, I’m Lauren. I'm so happy you're here.
I believe we’re all human, we all have our “stuff,” and we all deserve compassion and a safe place to grow.
With 15 years of experience and a warm, relaxed, and direct style, I provide the tools and support you need to feel calmer, more confident, and more in control of your life
When I chose the name Birds of a Feather Counseling, I wanted it to capture something simple but powerful—we’re all in this together.
The saying “birds of a feather flock together” reminds us that we’re not alone in our struggles, even when anxiety or perfectionism tries to convince us otherwise. We all have challenges. We all make mistakes. And we all deserve a place where those parts of us are met with compassion instead of judgment.
I want you to know that whoever you are, you are welcome here. This practice is committed to creating a safe, affirming space for people who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and members of other marginalized communities. I recognize that systems of oppression—such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of discrimination—are real, and they can deeply affect mental health and everyday life.
In our work together, I strive to honor your lived experience, respect how you identify, and use language that reflects your values and self-expression. That might look like using the pronouns and terms you prefer, naming systemic barriers without minimizing them, and always approaching our work with cultural humility and curiosity. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do commit to listening and walking alongside you.
With specialized, evidence-based treatment—you can recover.
It’s possible for you to:
face your fears and live more freely without excessive overthinking, unrelenting pressure, or constant worry about the future.
focus on your biggest concerns, identify what truly matters to you, and tackle the thought and behavior patterns that keep you stuck.
feel more compassionate toward yourself, less overwhelmed by life’s ups and downs, and stronger in your ability to face fears and overcome challenges.
You don’t have to do this alone—I’m here with you every step of the way.
My Approach
We are all humans. We are all doing our best in life. We can all benefit from compassion.
I will remind you of this A LOT in therapy. That doesn't mean we aren't accountable for our actions, but much of the time anxious adults are really, really hard on themselves and forget all the ways you've survived and thrived in life.
I love meeting and hearing people's stories and learning how anxiety has likely been by their side most of their lives. I say a lot of "that sounds really tough" and "you've been through so much" while also encouraging people to take steps outside their comfort zone to prove to themselves that they can do hard things. I will help you feel more at ease in therapy, looking forward to achieving your goals rather than fearing failure.
My style is casual but direct, teaching you tangible skills with lots of compassion, warmth, humor and respect for who you are and what you want to achieve.
I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors related to anxiety.
I am also extensively trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which is an evidence-based treatment specifically effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder. With over three years of specialized training and ongoing consultation with experts in OCD treatment, I’m well-equipped to support clients with mild to moderate OCD symptoms or those beginning their treatment journey.
I utilize Written Exposure Therapy for folx who have lived through a traumatic event that continues to impact their day to day lives. This brief, structured therapy helps people process through the “stuck” memories to help them move through the feelings and into less reactivity.
Additionally, I incorporate a focus on building self-compassion, insight and self-confidence, as these areas often play a valuable role in creating lasting change.
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anaïs Nin
My Specialties
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Your intrusive thoughts and time-consuming compulsions are overwhelming and completely dictate how you live your life. Therapy can help you have more compassion for yourself, be less critical and less driven to perform compulsions in response to your intrusive thoughts.
Generalized Anxiety
Anxiety can feel like living with an alarm that never stops ringing. Your mind jumps to the worst-case scenario, your body feels tense, and even small decisions can feel overwhelming. In therapy, you’ll have a safe, nonjudgmental space to unpack what you’re carrying and start to loosen anxiety’s grip.
Trauma
When memories take hold, you become stuck reliving the past. No matter how much time passes, you still feel on edge or waiting for the other shoe to drop. Therapy can help you make peace with the past and recover from difficult symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance or nightmares. Together, we will reduce shame by re-telling your story to create meaning and hope
How I Can Support You
Individual Therapy
If anxiety feels like it’s running the show, we’ll work together using proven tools from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you untangle from unhelpful thoughts, shift patterns that keep you stuck, and start feeling less weighed down by fear.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
Living with OCD can feel exhausting—your mind stuck on intrusive thoughts, your time eaten up by checking, ruminating, or seeking reassurance. In ERP, we take it step by step, gently facing fears and learning how to resist compulsions.
Family Support
When someone you love is struggling with OCD, anxiety, or perfectionism, it can be hard to know how to truly help. I offer personalized guidance, resources, and strategies so you can support them without feeding into anxiety’s cycle.
Coaching and Consulting
If you’re not looking for a diagnosis or ongoing therapy but want to learn ERP skills for OCD or anxiety, coaching can be a great fit. We’ll focus on practical tools and hands-on practice without the formal therapy framework.
Curious to know more?
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From a young age, I was deeply aware of the struggles those around me faced—even while I was quietly dealing with my own anxiety and trauma. Growing up as a highly sensitive person, I often worried about what others thought and found it hard to take risks. It was through my own therapy journey that I learned how to face those fears, trust my true self, and build confidence. In 2008, I decided to take that lived experience and my natural desire to help others and become a therapist.
Since then, I’ve been dedicated to walking alongside people as they work toward a steadier, more balanced life. Over the past few years, I’ve honed my focus through additional training to specialize in anxiety, OCD, and perfectionism. I’m inspired by the resilience of the amazing clients I’ve had who have overcome doubt, worry, and fear to reclaim their lives. In a world that often demands too much from us, I’m passionate about helping clients see that a different, calmer, and more fulfilling way of living is not only possible—it’s within their reach.
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I deeply value and honor diversity in all its forms — race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, nationality, and culture. I provide gender-affirming care, respect your chosen name and pronouns, and welcome every expression of your identity. I also recognize that there aren’t enough therapists who identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ+, and I understand how meaningful it can be to work with someone who shares that lived experience. While I may not hold those identities myself, I am committed to being an active ally and to weaving social justice practices into both my personal life and my therapy work. If you’d like to know more about my beliefs or approach, I’m always open to a direct and honest conversation — your comfort matters most here.
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My home for now is outside of Charleston, SC. I am a bird nerd and can be found with a constant gaze up at the trees. I find peace in nature except for the 5 months out of the year where you have to change clothes 3 times a day because humidity. I have two kids who I force to walk with me through the woods, listen to me belt out off-tune car ballads, enjoy the beauty of our nearby rivers and oceans and require them to talk about their feelings constantly. I'm sure they'll need therapy someday, too, and that's ok with me.
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Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Sociology, UNC Charlotte, 2009
Master of Social Work, UNC Charlotte, 2011
Fully Licensed Practicing Therapist since 2015
Currently Licensed in California, Georgia & South Carolina
You’re ready for things to feel different—and I’m here to help you get there.
Let’s talk about what’s been holding you back and how we can break the cycle of anxiety together. Book your free consultation today—so you can start feeling lighter, calmer, and more like yourself again.