Lauren Vallee M.A., MFTC.
Education and Research
Lauren is a graduate of Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. Lauren's graduate research focused on the process of individuation, Jung's concept of becoming a more whole person, and the intersection of a life in individual sport.
Her Master's thesis Constellating Solitude: The Path of the Hero and Orphan Archetypes in Individual Sport explored how depth psychology can help athletes tend to their souls in a way that sport psychology cannot. In her thesis she wrote, "Much attention is paid to an athlete's performance. Little attention is paid to an athlete's soul." This perspective underlies much of the therapeutic work she does with her clients.
Lauren is a professionally trained Ketamine-Assisted psychotherapy practitioner.
Lauren has also has a Master's degree from The Ohio State University in Sport Management.
Clinical Experience
Lauren completed her clinical internship at the Mind Springs Health Clinic in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Her focus was treating individuals with challenges around eating disorders, anxiety, depression, gender identity exploration and expression, communication, sex and intimacy, and relationship concerns.
Lauren served as a support group facilitator for Bulimia Nervosa patients at The Center for Balanced Living, an eating disorder clinic in Columbus, Ohio.
Lauren’s tenure grew to include a board of trustee position and the opportunity to work closely
with founder, Dr. Laura Hill where she was able to raise awareness and increase funding for
ongoing research at the center.
Personal
Lauren has been a lifelong athlete. She is a World Championship level long course triathlete. She has competed as a high performing triathlete for 20 years.
Lauren is also been a high-performance endurance coach for over a decade and is the owner of Valiant Endurance.
She understands athlete's lives and appreciates how life as an athlete or high performer can impact relationships, family dynamics, and an individual's sense of oneself.