Lauren Ailslieger, LMSW
Therapist
Practice Location(s)
Topeka, KS
Education
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kansas State University, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Social Work from Washburn University. Lauren is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the state of Kansas.
Skill Set and Expertise
Lauren has worked in a variety of mental health settings, including in crisis stabilization, eating disorder residential treatment, psychiatric residential treatment for youth in foster care, schools, and outpatient therapy. In the outpatient therapy setting, Lauren worked with a variety of clients across the lifespan, including teens and adults struggling with disordered eating, anxiety, OCD, trauma, depression, and life transitions.
As both a former competitive junior athlete and a coach, Lauren understands the complex relationship between body, performance, and self-worth. Lauren integrates her experiences as both an athlete and a coach into her therapy practice to help individuals navigating eating disorders and athletic identity find authentic healing, cultivate a peaceful relationship with movement, and rediscover who they are outside of performance.
Treatment Approach
Lauren views therapy as a collaborative process. Rooted in a person-centered lens, Lauren believes that you are the expert on your own life. Because healing is never one-size-fits-all, she pulls from a variety of modalities to fit your unique needs. Most importantly, Lauren prioritizes the therapeutic relationship itself. With the understanding that growth and change can only happen in the context of safety and trust, Lauren is committed to meeting you exactly where you are with empathy, warmth, and curiosity.
Lauren has completed training in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT), and frequently incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her practice.
Passion
Deeply valuing authentic connection and holding space for our shared humanness, Lauren firmly believes in every person's inherent worth, resilience, and capacity for growth. She is committed to walking alongside her clients in both their darkest and brightest moments. Having been witness to the profound freedom and joy that recovery brings, and because she knows full recovery is possible, Lauren will hold that hope for her clients until they are ready to hold it for themselves.
Personal Hobbies and Characteristics
Outside of the therapy office, Lauren enjoys morning walks with her dog, exploring local farmers’ markets, reading, craft nights with friends, and spending time with family.
