Dr. Lauren Mays
Licensed Clinican Psychologist
You're holding everything together.
But quietly, it's costing you.
Somewhere between building a career, maintaining relationships, and staying one step ahead, many people lose track of themselves. I help thoughtful, accomplished people who are often focused on others, caught in difficult relationship patterns, and unsure how to assert what they need. Together, we understand what is happening beneath the surface so you can close the gap between the life you have and the one you actually want.
20 minutes. Just a conversation.
Dr. Lauren Mays | Licensed Clinical Psychologist | Washington, D.C.
Welcome
You've built a life that looks like success from the outside, a demanding career, relationships you care about, a calendar that never empties. But somewhere underneath all of it, something isn't adding up.
You show up for your career, your relationships, your responsibilities, and mostly, it looks like you're managing well. But if you're honest, something underneath isn't quite keeping pace.
Whether that's patterns that won't seem to shift, or the weight of grief, loss, or experiences that continue to shape their lives, many of the people I work with are thoughtful and accomplished, and quietly carrying more than anyone around them realizes.
"Together, we slow down and look at what's underneath. As those patterns become clearer, something begins to change."
If any part of this resonates, I'd love to talk.
About Me
Connecting with your therapist in a way that feels authentic, caring, and challenging
is arguably the most important aspect of counseling.
THERAPY STYLE AND APPROACH
Therapy with me is collaborative, honest, and grounded in genuine curiosity about who you are, not just what you're struggling with.
I listen carefully. Not only to what you say, but to the patterns that emerge in how you describe yourself and your relationships, the places where the story gets complicated, where emotion surfaces unexpectedly, or where you've learned to move quickly past something that might be worth slowing down for. Over time, we'll begin to connect the dots: where certain ways of relating came from, what purpose they once served, and how they may now be quietly limiting your relationships, your choices, or your sense of self.
I bring warmth to this work, and I don't shy away from honesty. I also believe that humor and a little irreverence go a long way. Sometimes seeing yourself clearly requires a lighter touch.
My goal is not simply to validate your experiences, but to help you understand them more deeply.
WHY THIS APPROACH IS DIFFERENT
A lot of therapy focuses on managing symptoms, learning to cope better, reframe thoughts, reduce anxiety in the moment. And those skills have real value. But for many high-achieving people, the deeper question isn't "how do I calm down?" It's "why do I keep ending up here?"
My approach goes beneath the surface. Rather than treating each struggle in isolation, we look at the patterns that run through your relationships, your self-perception, and your decision-making, and we start to understand them in context.
This isn't about uncovering a single answer or moment that explains everything. It's about developing a clearer, more complete picture of yourself — one that gives you real choices, not just better coping strategies.
BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
My training has given me a deep foundation in understanding complex emotional and relational patterns, and a genuine appreciation for how much courage it takes to look at them honestly.
I received my doctorate in Clinical and School Psychology from James Madison University and my B.A. and M.A. in Psychology from The Catholic University of America. The clinical program at JMU provided rigorous training in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and evidence based approaches to understanding complex emotional and relational concerns.
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I completed my doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the APA accredited Center for Counseling and Psychological Health at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. During this time I worked with a diverse adult population and gained extensive experience in crisis intervention, individual and group psychotherapy, and comprehensive psychological assessment. The training environment also emphasized consultation, outreach, and interdisciplinary collaboration, further shaping my ability to work thoughtfully with complex emotional and relational concerns.
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​​​​​I am currently practicing as a Licensed Psychologist in Washington, D.C.
(License #PSY1001228).
I also have Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT Commission
(Mobility #23472).
Areas of Specialty
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Understanding recurring relationship patterns
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Self esteem and identity development
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Difficulty asserting needs or setting boundaries
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Navigating life transitions and major decisions
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Complex relational histories and trauma
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Feelings of emptiness, disconnection, or uncertainty
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Internal pressure and perfectionism
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Building more fulfilling relationships
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Grief, loss, and navigating life after meaningful change
Services
I believe that healing is a process and occurs through reconnecting with your
authentic experience within a strong therapeutic relationship.
Drawing on insights from attachment theory and neuroscience, I work collaboratively with clients to understand the patterns that shape how they experience themselves and their relationships. My goal is to help you recognize how these patterns function in your life so that we can begin to shift them, strengthening your sense of self and your relationships.
CONSULTATION
Not sure where to start?
That's exactly what the consultation is for. In 20 minutes, we'll talk about what's bringing you to therapy, a bit about your background, and whether working together feels like a good fit. There's no pressure and no commitment, just a conversation.
I'd love to hear from you.
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Within a safe and trusting environment, we actively explore the roots of these challenges
and how they are maintained through past and present experiences.
You don't have to be in crisis to be here. Most people who reach out have spent a long time wondering whether what they're dealing with is "enough" to warrant therapy. It is.
The people I work with tend to be self-aware, capable, and quietly stuck. Composed at work. Reliable in their relationships. And still carrying something that won't seem to shift such as a persistent self-criticism, a pattern of shutting down when things get close, a loss that changed something fundamental.
What these experiences often share is this: the ways you learned to protect yourself can quietly become the thing keeping you from the connection and sense of self you're actually looking for.
That's what we work on. Not just the symptom but the pattern underneath it.
Sessions are 45 to 50 minutes. Most clients find that meeting weekly gives the work enough continuity for something to actually shift but we'll figure out what makes sense for you.
COUPLES THERAPY
Sessions are centered on understanding emotional reactions, unmet needs, and recurring patterns
that tend to show up in real time during interactions.​​
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Most couples don't come to therapy because they've stopped loving each other. They come because they keep having the same fight and neither person understands why it keeps going the same way.
One person shuts down. The other pushes harder. A small conflict somehow becomes about everything. And over time, the distance between you starts to feel less like a bad week and more like a pattern.
What's usually driving those cycles isn't what the argument is about. It's the unspoken needs and fears underneath it, the ones that are hard to name, let alone say out loud to each other.
Using an Emotionally Focused approach, one of the most well-researched models in couples therapy, we slow those moments down together and begin to actually shift them.
Questions
What can I expect in the first session?
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and begin understanding what has brought you to therapy. We will talk about your current concerns, relevant background, and what you hope might change through therapy. I may ask questions about your relationships, life history, and patterns you have noticed in yourself. There is no pressure to share everything at once. The goal is simply to begin building an understanding of your experience and determining how we might work together.
​How often do we meet?
Most clients begin with weekly sessions, which allows us to build momentum and develop a deeper understanding of the patterns that are affecting your life and relationships. Over time, some clients choose to meet less frequently depending on their needs and goals.
How long does therapy take?
The length of therapy varies depending on what you are hoping to work on. Some clients seek short term support around a specific challenge, while others engage in longer term work focused on deeper patterns and relationships. We will regularly check in about your goals and whether therapy continues to feel helpful.
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes. I offer both in person and telehealth sessions for clients located in Washington, DC and participating PSYPACT states. Many clients find virtual therapy provides flexibility while still allowing for meaningful work together.
What are your fees?
My fee is $250 per 45-50 minute session. Payment is due at the time of service. I am an out of network provider, which means I do not bill insurance directly. However, I can provide a monthly superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement depending on your plan.
​How do I get started?
You can reach out through the contact form on this website or by email to schedule an initial consultation. In that conversation we can briefly discuss what you are looking for, answer questions, and determine whether working together feels like a good fit.
What if I’m not sure therapy is right for me?
Many people feel uncertain about beginning therapy. It can be helpful simply to start with a conversation. An initial consultation allows you to ask questions, learn more about how I work, and decide whether moving forward feels helpful.
Contact Me
Please note that the confidentiality of information transmitted electronically is not guaranteed. Because I am committed to your privacy, please use my contact form and e-mail for scheduling and brief non-emergency-related matters.
By Metro: My office is conveniently located next to the South Entrance of the Dupont Circle Metro Station. The building entrance is right next to Krisp
By Car: Metered and street parking are available.
​The closest Colonial Parking garages are located at 1333 New Hampshire Ave. (Lot 386) and at 1300 19th St. (Lot 741). They cost about $12/hr and $21/day.​
Central Parking is also located at 1800 Massachusetts Ave. and costs about $10/hr.