Lauren Ball, LCSW

Lauren Ball is a licensed clinical social worker with 21 years of experience helping people who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, depression, relationship troubles, or major life changes. She helps clients handle parenting strain, anger, substance use concerns, and issues tied to trauma or past abuse. Lauren writes plainly and aims to make starting therapy less intimidating for someone worried about taking the first step.

Her style centers on practical, present-focused work. Sessions aim to identify clear goals and break those goals into manageable steps. She emphasizes skills people can use between meetings to reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

Lauren draws from cognitive behavioral approaches to help people shift unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. She also uses dialectical behavior tools for emotion regulation and distress tolerance when intense feelings get in the way of progress. Trauma-focused methods guide work when past events continue to affect current life.

She favors straightforward conversation over clinical jargon. Progress is reviewed as a team, and strategies are adjusted when needed. The plan is built around each person’s strengths and real-life demands.

Lauren practices in California as an LCSW, and she offers sessions in English. Her background includes long experience with relationship conflict, adoption and foster care concerns, blended family issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness, workplace problems, and young adult challenges.

How CBT and DBT work online

CBT helps people notice and change thinking and behavior patterns that keep problems going. Online CBT sessions focus on identifying specific thoughts and actions, practicing new skills, and assigning simple exercises to use between meetings. This approach is often used for anxiety, depression, and day-to-day stress.

DBT teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and better communication when feelings run high. In remote DBT work, therapists coach practical skills and help clients apply them during stressful moments, which can reduce reactivity and improve relationships. Both approaches pair well with trauma-focused techniques when past events affect current functioning.

Choosing the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't worked before. Together they will try strategies and adjust the plan as needed to find the best fit for the client’s needs.

Online formats offer flexibility for busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and screen sharing for worksheets. Phone sessions can fit into a short break and need less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging work for quick check-ins, coaching between sessions, or if someone prefers writing to speaking. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, school, or caregiving duties.