Lara Garwood-Martin

When you come to therapy, you get to drop the pretensions. You get to be vulnerable and explore the fears and tough feelings that you worry you can’t reveal to the people you love.

As you get more comfortable talking to me about and discovering your real wants and needs, you build the skills that will enable you to show yourself to your family, friends, and colleagues and make decisions that help you create the life you want.

Who I really am as a therapist

I am an experienced Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor operating in Schaumburg, IL and I have a dynamic, eclectic approach to psychotherapy. Your story, your pain, and your collection of struggles are unique to you. There is no one-size fits all approach to therapy.

I see it my role to listen and watch and meet you where you are. I create a safe, confidential, peaceful space where you can drop the mask and begin to reveal and heal your true self.

Your stories, your needs, your darkest hours, and your brightest moments take center stage when you’re in my office. I bring respect, kindness, and a sense of fun so that you feel empowered to make changes in your life.

A few more details about me:

I graduated from the Concordia University of Chicago with a Master’s in Counseling. I specialize in treating people with relationship issues, depression, adjustment issues, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, and social phobia. I am a certified educational counselor with a passion for helping others discover their ideal educational experience, career and lifestyle. I have been a youth soccer coach and a mentor for high school and college students. I am a work in progress and have personal and professional experience with the techniques I ask you to engage in, whether it be mindfulness, self-compassion, cognitive restructuring, etc. I’m looking forward to working with you.