Lauren A. Messina, MS, LGMFT

Licensure: Maryland LGM395
Licensed Since: 2010
Bachelor’s: Communications, 2005, Villanova University
Master’s: Couple & Family Therapy, 2010, University of Maryland
PhD: Family Science, 2013 (expected), University of Maryland

My Background

During my Master’s degree training, I interned at the Center for Healthy Families in College Park, Maryland where I worked with individuals, families, and couples seeking therapeutic services for a variety of concerns. I am also trained as a therapeutic grief mentor by the Hospice of Chesapeake’s Camp Nabi, and worked as a therapy group leader at Greenbelt CARES Youth and Family Services.

I am an active member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), and am a past member of the Society for Research on Adolescents (SRA).

Currently, I am also working towards completing my PhD in Family Science through the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland and expect to graduate in May 2013. As a graduate assistant, I work on research studying the impact of parental feeding practices on child health outcomes and how parents influence children’s eating behaviors. My research interests are in parent-based interventions aimed at increasing parental self-efficacy and family adaptation and resilience when coping with child psychopathology.

My Expertise

I am skilled at addressing a full range of issues experienced by individuals, couples, and families, including:
• communication problems
• anger management
• trauma recovery
• parenting
• co-parenting with divorced and separated couples
• issues unique to gay and lesbian couples and individuals

Additionally, I have extensive experience working directly with children and adolescents coping with developmental milestones, family and life transitions, and DSM diagnosis, such as ADD/ADHD, depression, and anxiety.

I am certified in providing Filial and Play Therapeutic services to families and children and in performing therapy with military families. I am also certified to provide pre-marital counseling using the Prepare/Enrich program.

About Me

I strongly believe that ‘life is not a destination, but a journey’ and that what makes this journey so wonderful is enjoying it with the people around us. Yet all relationships, whether between parents and children or between romantic partners, can sometimes be difficult to navigate.

What drives my work as a Family Therapist is my belief in people’s ability to make positive changes in their lives. My interest in improving child outcomes has led me to particularly value my therapy work with parents and children. Here, I focused on building family cohesion and improving communication between family members, as well as the positive expression of emotion.

When engaging in some personal self-care activities, I enjoy cooking, arts and crafts projects, spending time outdoors, exercising, and taking both local and international adventures with family and friends.

I look forward to working with you and your family.