Lauren Macdonald, MSW, LCSW-A
Primary Therapist for Seasons Group (students ages 10-13)
With over a decade of experience in therapeutic and wilderness settings, Lauren brings a wealth of practical and clinical knowledge to her role. She began her career as a field guide in a well-known wilderness therapy program and then spent several years as a lead instructor at Outward Bound. In her undergraduate studies, Lauren pursued Social Work and later earned her Master’s from Western Carolina University.
Lauren has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings, including TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communicationally Handicapped Children and Families) at UNC Chapel Hill, in the public school system working with elementary and middle school aged students, and most recently as a primary therapist at a residential treatment center.
In her therapeutic work, Lauren leans into attachment based modalities. She individualizes the therapeutic experience of each student, bringing in a variety of approaches including polyvagal theory, somatic experiencing, ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy).
“I meet students and families where they are with acceptance, empowerment, and strengths-based approaches to enhance relationships with themselves and those around them,” says Lauren. “Helping build self-awareness, self-compassion, and develop insight into themselves and others is my overarching process through treatment.”
