Lauren Strailey

LAPC, ATR-P (Provisional Registered Art Therapist)

Therapist (She/Her)

About Lauren Strailey

My name is Lauren Strailey (she/her), and I am an Art Therapist and trauma-informed counselor. I practice person-centered and trauma-informed orientation with the integration of artistic and creative expression. I am a firm believer that anyone can be an artist, and that each creation is an authentic representation of the individual. Sometimes words can’t communicate the emotions we are struggling with or feel too difficult to express. Art therapy provides a new mode of expression and emphasizes freedom through both mediums and topics.

I obtained a Master of Science in Trauma Counseling and Art Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. My clinical experience includes working with anxiety, depression, ADHD, ASD, trauma, life transitions, relationships, and eating disorders. I am very passionate about providing services to members of the LGBTQ+ community and am committed to being culturally competent and social-justice oriented. I work with adults, adolescents, and children. Prior to my work at Ellie Mental Health, I was an emotional support counselor for high school students and led therapeutic social skills groups for autistic youth. I also facilitate weekly creative arts therapy groups at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for teens recovering from eating and mood disorders.

My personal art practice serves as a safe space for me to express myself by exploring and communicating my struggles and triumphs. I hope to share this sentiment with my clients and provide a comfortable space to process creatively. However, I believe each individual is the expert on their life. Therefore, if creating visual art isn’t something that aligns with your therapy journey, it doesn’t have to be included in treatment. I prioritize each client’s unique needs above methodology and hope to maintain an open dialogue so that you feel seen, heard, and validated.

I practice traditional person-centered psychotherapy, art therapy, narrative therapy, play therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Working through difficult emotions can feel heavy at times but I am ready to move at your pace and incorporate any modalities that feel comfortable or interesting to you. My goal is to create a trusting relationship where you feel validated and safe as we work through vulnerable topics.

Outside of work, I enjoy painting, sewing, playing drums, and collecting vinyl records.