Dr. Lauren

A Psychologist's Take on What It Really Means to Celebrate Yourself As a Lesbian or Queer Woman Jacklyn has been eagerly anticipating her Pride weekend since April. She is ready; her outfit is chosen, and the hottest spots to visit are all mapped out. Her friend’s group chat, called "dykes do June," has been buzzing for weeks. She loves Pride, genuinely and wholeheartedly. The music, the visibility, the feeling of moving through the world in a crowd of people who understand her. Each year,...

A psychologist's framework for dating from wholeness instead of hunger She walks into my office glowing. It's been three weeks. Maybe four. She's met someone, and it's different this time. They've been texting nonstop. They stayed up until 2 a.m. last Tuesday talking about their childhoods. She's already said the words: “I've never felt this way before – she really gets me.” And I take a breath. Because I know what's coming. It’s not that Sapphic romance shouldn’t be intense, passionate, or...

There are moments in our minds that change everything: the instant you realize you’re spiraling, bracing, hiding, people-pleasing, or overexplaining. That tiny step back, which I call "zooming out," is more than just insight. It’s a shift in consciousness and your nervous system, working together to open a new way of operating. Fascinatingly, the power of this experience is rooted not just in philosophy but also in neurology. When you observe your inner experience—your thoughts, urges,...