My name is Lauren Holst. I am motivated by a desire to help people make sense of challenging relationships or situations, to explore patterns of behavior that may be keeping them from what they want, and to live life more freely, empowered, and full of contentment. I seek to remind you of your resourcefulness and innate goodness.

My down-to-earth, come as you are, therapeutic approach is informed by two decades of social work in a variety of settings, including crisis services, child protection, foster care, and hospice work, as well as in case management services for people with a wide range of special needs and disabilities. My graduate school fieldwork involved providing therapy in a community mental health center and providing medical social work and therapy at a community health center.

I’ve helped adults, adolescents, and children with everything from temporary troubles to some of life’s thorniest problems.

At this time, my work as a therapist is focused on individual therapy for adults aged 18 years and over.

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) by the State of Iowa (License #05503). This allows me to provide therapy under the auspices of a supervising agency to people living in Iowa. I received both my Master’s degree in social work (MSW) and Bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from the University of Northern Iowa.

Outside of work, I’m still captivated by humanity–family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. I also love to garden—everything from moss to trees, all things critter-related, and a good book and a cup of tea.