Lauren Hajisafari
Hi, I’m Lauren! I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the owner of Ride the Wave Counseling. The decision to start therapy can come with anxiety, uncertainty, and self-doubt, but choosing to prioritize yourself and your well-being is an important first step. While starting therapy can feel hard, finding an approachable and empathetic therapist doesn’t have to be. While it’s my job to support and guide you through therapy, it’s my passion to empower, encourage, and help you work toward your goals. I believe that building a strong relationship and creating a space where you feel safe, heard, and comfortable being yourself allows therapy to become truly supportive and collaborative. I want you to feel like you can show up as your authentic self, move at your own pace, and know that we’re in this together. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you start. I’m so happy you’re here, and I look forward to hearing from you soon!
First session
Your first session is really just a chance for us to get to know each other. It’s totally normal to feel nervous, whether you’ve been in therapy before or this is your first time. Just come as you are and be yourself! You don’t need to know exactly what to say, and there’s no pressure to share everything right away. We’ll talk about what brought you in, what you’re hoping to get out of therapy, and go from there. The first session doesn’t determine everything, and it’s completely okay if it takes a little time to settle in and feel comfortable. More than anything, I want you to leave feeling heard, safe, and welcome—and knowing that we can take things at your pace.
Strengths
I think one of my biggest strengths is making people feel comfortable and like they can really be themselves with me. I’m supportive and understanding, but I’ll also be honest with you and challenge you when you need it. I love bringing humor and personality into sessions because therapy doesn’t always have to feel so serious or clinical. Some days we’ll work on tools or look at things from a different perspective, and other days you might just need to talk—and that’s okay too. At the end of the day, I want you to know that I’m in your corner and we’re figuring it out together.
Ideal clients
I welcome adults from all walks of life who are looking for a supportive space to better understand themselves, navigate challenges, and create meaningful change. I especially enjoy working with young adults and individuals navigating life transitions, such as college, relationships, career changes, moving out, or adjusting to new stages of adulthood. Many of my clients are also working through anxiety, depression, ADHD, OCD, self-esteem, or feeling overwhelmed or stuck. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy—if you’re interested in exploring what therapy could look like for you, you are welcome here.
Treatment methods
Strength-Based
Strengths-based therapy is one of my favorite approaches to use in sessions because I love finding what is already working for you and building on that. I think sometimes people assume therapy is all about focusing on what’s wrong or what needs to change, but I think it’s just as important to recognize the good. We’ll look at your strengths, what you’re already doing well, and what has helped you through difficult times, and use those things to help you continue to grow.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I use a person-centered approach by letting you take the lead in your sessions. I always tell my clients that you’re in the driver’s seat, and I’m in the passenger’s seat with the map. You know yourself and your experiences better than anyone, so I’m not here to tell you what to do. My role is to support you, help you explore different paths, and offer guidance along the way. We’ll move at your pace and focus on what feels most important to you while creating a space where you feel heard, supported, and free to be yourself without judgment.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use CBT to help you understand the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A lot of times, we can get stuck in certain ways of thinking without even realizing how much they’re affecting the way we feel or respond to situations. In sessions, we’ll work together to notice those patterns, challenge thoughts that may not be helping you, and find different ways to look at or handle situations. My goal isn’t to tell you that your thoughts or feelings are wrong, but to help you understand where they’re coming from and give you tools to respond in a way that feels healthier and more helpful for you.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Licensed in
- ConnecticutLicense 58.016825
- New JerseyLicense 44SC06064500