LAUREN BERGER, PH.D.
ABOUT DR. BERGER
Dr. Lauren Berger has worked with adolescents and young adults since 2008. She has worked clinically in a variety of settings (middle school, college, child psychiatric outpatient centers) in addition to working as a professor of psychology. At the foundation of her approach is the fundamental importance of building a strong relationship with her clients. Adolescents and young adults need to feel understood and safe, so rapport is critical. Beyond the humanistic foundation, Dr. Berger will incorporate different therapeutic approaches depending on the presenting symptoms and prognosis. Personally, Dr. Berger is a mom of two children, ages 7 and 13, so she is in the thick of parenting a teen herself! Her favorite things to do are reading books on the beach and coaching cheerleading in her free time.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Dr. Berger received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany in 2014. Throughout her training and beyond, Dr. Berger has worked with children, teens, and young adults. She highly values the importance of the Scholar-Practitioner Model, spending several years working as an undergraduate college professor (Skidmore College and Siena College), as well as spending the last four years working as a middle school counselor. Research, training, and clinical experience goes hand in hand. Dr. Berger is a licensed clinical psychologist in both New York (022016) and Florida (PY10167) seeing clients virtually.
WHY PRETEENS, TEENS, & YOUNG ADULTS?
This is the time with the most developmental change; but, with change comes the opportunity for growth. Many adults remember this time as being extremely challenging with both physical and emotional changes. Psychotherapeutic work with this age group is unique and requires flexibility, creativity, and willingness to meet the child where he/she is at. Dr. Berger thoroughly enjoys working with this age group and finds it incredibly fulfilling to be able to help an adolescent at a time when they need it most and feel most alone. There is so much self-judgment and judgement by others during adolescence that it is helpful for the child to feel they have a space where they can be vulnerable and honest without being judged. Dr. Berger also works with adults as well so feel free to connect and see if it would be a good therapeutic fit.