About Your Therapist Lauren Brymer graduated in 2004 with a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, also receiving a certification in Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling. Lauren maintains a Illinois Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) license and a certification as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC). In 2018-2019, Lauren obtained her certification in Internal Family Systems Model in Chicago from the Center for Self Leadership. In her time at Adler, Lauren learned a holistic approach to humankind with a strong emphasis on social interest. She later adopted this theory as a practice model because of its strength based approach to humankind. Lauren's beliefs in people's strong emphasis toward social purpose, positive functioning occurring from encouragement rather than discouragement, and drive to "belong in the world" laid the foundation for her private practice. From 2002 to 2005, Lauren worked with individuals suffering from chronic and severe mental illness at Lincoln Park Psychiatric Unit. While adhering to Adlerian theory, exploration into where the individuals came from and treating the individuals inferiorities helped drive them toward successful treatment. In 2004, Lauren shifted her focus toward assisting underprivileged children and families with the Illinois Youth Advocate Program in Harvey, IL. She had the opportunity to provide counseling services to children and adults involved in the child welfare system due to poverty, legal, and/or substance abuse issues. Lauren found herself working toward reuniting families after successful treatment outcomes, and advocating for children lost within the welfare system. During this time, Lauren also worked at the Will County Health Department - counseling both adolescents and adults suffering from substance abuse issues. In 2008, Lauren founded 21 Reflections, Professional Corporation in Naperville, IL. Her mission remains to provide psychotherapy treatments encouraging individuals and families to explore the influences in their lives most affecting their overall functioning. Clients attending therapy understand that the therapeutic relationship is critical toward achieving client-driven goals. Clients are encouraged to evaluate and understand the influences in their lives stemming from parenting, birth order, lifestyle, career, relationships, and life experiences using various ther-apeutic techniques. Lauren resides in Naperville with her husband and two children. Lauren's practice has been molded by her professional experiences and training. However, personal struggles, life experiences, and accomplishments have provided a continuous foundation for Lauren to relate to clients on a personal level. Lauren has counseled clients with grief and trauma experiences from the beginning of her career. In 2014, Lauren experienced a personal tragedy by losing her father to a long battle with cancer. Her father was an integral part of Lauren's life and the starting of her therapy practice. Even in the passing of her father, he has continued to influence her practice by creating a new found strength and empathy inside Lauren for client's. Personal battles can rip us apart and can create unimaginable pain, however; we need to decide how we want to rebuild around those experiences. For Lauren, her father will always be the butterfly on her shoulder. Lauren's therapeutic approach continues to center around a holistic model utilizing Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Adlerian Psychodynamic Theory, and Family Systems. Gaining an understanding of oneself from a holistic perspective can provide insight into the connection between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors - leading to a happier and healthier style of life.