Lauren Oates , LPCC

Lauren Oates is a Kentucky-based clinician who brings several years of experience supporting individuals and families through stress, anxiety, grief, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, trauma, and a wide range of life transitions. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) - a credential that denotes training and licensure to provide clinical counseling - and she also holds credentials in art therapy, including Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT) and national board certification in art therapy (ATR-BC).

Her clinical style emphasizes a person-centered, adaptable approach that meets each client where they are. Rather than focusing solely on diagnoses, she works to identify and build on a person s existing strengths to foster healthier functioning and greater overall wellbeing. Her background in community mental health has shaped a practical focus on real-life challenges and family-centered support.

For clients who prefer creative expression, she offers art therapy as an option - a way to explore feelings that can be difficult to put into words and to experience the therapeutic benefits of making art. Lauren views mental health as an integral part of general health, and she encourages people who are considering support - even if they feel hesitant - to reach out as a step toward improving wellbeing.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Lauren Oates uses client-centered therapy to prioritize the client s perspective and goals, creating a collaborative environment where the therapist supports each person in using their own strengths to move forward. This approach is helpful for people seeking individualized care for stress, life changes, and relationship concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is another core approach she uses; it focuses on identifying and adjusting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and related challenges. CBT is practical and solution-oriented, often useful for clients who want clear tools and strategies.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is applied when relationship patterns and emotional bonds are central to the presenting issues. EFT helps people and couples recognize and shift interaction patterns to build more secure emotional connections.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Lauren collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She works alongside clients to adapt techniques and try different strategies until the best fit is found.

Online sessions - including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging - offer flexibility that helps make therapy more accessible for busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities, or limited local options. These formats allow licensed professionals to provide ongoing support in ways that suit each client s life and comfort level.