LAUREN CHEW, LCSW · CALIFORNIA #126717
THE PERSON BEHIND COUNSELING WITH LO
I bring warmth, honesty, and a little humor to therapy. You don’t have to perform, explain everything perfectly, or pretend things are better than they are.
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A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I grew up in a military family, moving, adapting, and meeting people from different backgrounds. I learned that belonging has a lot to do with the people around us. Today, I’m a wife and mother, married to a veteran, and the sister of a police officer. Those connections are part of my life and inform my appreciation for service, family, and change.
Outside work, life with my husband, our young son, and our cat and dog is full and occasionally chaotic. I love scuba diving, snowboarding, being outdoors, and making things with my hands—especially jewelry for someone I care about. I’m a lifelong learner who values good conversation, humor, and moments when we can slow down and be present.
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK WITH ME
I want to understand your story, your relationships, and the ways you’ve learned to navigate the world. I can be gentle and reflective when you need room to process, and direct but kind when a familiar pattern needs a closer look. There is space for difficult feelings and for laughter. We’ll talk openly about what feels helpful and choose our direction together.
A QUESTION WE MIGHT EXPLORE
MY BACKGROUND
Growing up as the only girl among four brothers, I often found myself offering emotional support. I was curious about people, their experiences, and what shapes who we become. I initially studied International Relations and Spanish before that curiosity led me to graduate school for social work. My work has since included hospital, school, child welfare, hospice, and private-practice settings, alongside children and families, survivors of abuse, active-duty service members, and veterans.
MY PRACTICE TODAY
Rooted in San Diego. Here for California.
Today, I offer online individual and couples therapy in California, with a particular focus on women’s experiences, trauma, anxiety, and relationship patterns. What keeps this work meaningful is seeing people reconnect with themselves, recognize their strengths, and begin making choices that feel more like their own.
HOW I APPROACH THE WORK
I draw from several frameworks learned through graduate study and further training. We choose what fits you, rather than fitting your experience into one method.
Emotion-focused therapy
Make space for emotions and explore what they can tell us about needs, experiences, and relationships.
The Gottman Method
In couples work, explore patterns of communication, connection, and conflict.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Notice difficult thoughts and feelings while exploring what matters to you and the choices you want to make.
IFS, inner-child & parts work
Get curious about different parts of yourself and the ways you learned to cope, with room for compassion toward earlier experiences.
WHAT GUIDES MY WORK
I’m interested in the person beyond the concern that brings you here. You can bring complicated feelings, uncertainty, and the parts of your story that are hard to put into words.
Some days call for a practical tool. Others call for understanding a pattern more deeply. I’ll listen closely, ask questions, and sometimes offer a different perspective.
You can tell me when something helps, when it doesn’t, or when you need to slow down. Therapy is a relationship we build together.
FOR ASSOCIATE THERAPISTS
I also offer clinical supervision to ASWs, AMFTs, and APCCs working toward licensure in California. Through individual, triadic, and group supervision via telehealth, I support associates in developing clinical skills, building confidence, and finding their own voice as therapists.
Explore clinical supervision
Please keep your first message brief. Email and text are for initial questions and scheduling, not sensitive clinical details.