Lauren

Lauren’s path to counseling began in college, where she discovered her passion for helping others, leading her to pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology at High Point University. She chose social work for her graduate studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore, drawn to its broad potential to make a meaningful impact in various areas of people’s lives. During her graduate program, Lauren found herself particularly drawn to child welfare services, which became the focus of her work over the next decade.

However, after experiencing her own personal grief journey, Lauren felt called to return to counseling in 2019 to help others navigate the challenging emotions she knew all too well. Since then, she has specialized in supporting bereaved families, a community that, while not one anyone chooses to join, she finds deeply supportive and compassionate. Lauren finds it incredibly fulfilling to work with grieving children, particularly when helping them express their emotions through play, allowing them to explore and understand their feelings in a safe and guided space.

In May 2015, Lauren married her husband, Brandon, and together they call Edgewater, Maryland home, drawn to the area's natural beauty and close proximity to the water. Their family has grown and faced great loss. In January 2018, Lauren and Brandon experienced the stillbirth of their first daughter, Mikayla Catherine Reider. The emptiness they felt led them to rescue a dog, Layla, a Husky-Golden Lab mix who has become an integral part of their family. Two years later, their second daughter, Olivia Anne, was born healthy, followed by their third daughter, Ella Felicity, in 2021. In January 2023, they welcomed their son, Noah Anthony Reider, who, like Mikayla, was born with severe congenital heart defects. Tragically, Noah passed away after undergoing open-heart surgery at just 20 days old. Through the support of family, friends, and their faith, Lauren and Brandon have found strength and healing by making meaning of their children’s lives and the impact they continue to have.

Lauren’s ideal client is a child navigating grief, whether through the loss of a sibling, a parent, or even the shifting dynamics of family life, such as separation or relocation. She understands how grief can manifest in many forms and is passionate about helping children work through these emotions in a healthy and constructive way.

Lauren’s professional qualifications include an LCSWC (Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Clinical), a certification as a grief-informed professional, and she is currently in the process of becoming a Registered Play Therapist. Her areas of expertise include supporting both children and adults through the loss of a sibling or child, and she is particularly attuned to the challenges that families face when dealing with the grief of a child’s loss.

Outside of her professional life, Lauren finds solace in hobbies that allow her to unwind and reconnect with herself. She loves getting lost in the pages of a good book, enjoys crafting (even if she isn’t the most creative), and has recently developed a passion for gardening. She and her family cherish spending time together outdoors, creating meaningful memories, and enjoying each other’s company.

Lauren is honored to walk alongside her clients through their grief and is deeply committed to offering the support and understanding they need during some of life’s most difficult moments.