Dr. Lauren is an Indigenous scholar-practitioner whose work centers on supporting children, youth, and families in navigating the complexities of growing up in today’s world. Known professionally as Dr. Lauren — and affectionately by some as Dr. Lou — she is committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, understood, and supported in meaningful and lasting change.

With more than a decade of experience in acute, complex, and community-based mental health settings, she brings both clinical depth and a steady, relational presence to her work. Her approach is developmentally responsive, trauma- and violence-informed, and grounded in culturally aware, strengths-based care. She supports Indigenous, non-Indigenous, and equity-deserving children, youth, young adults, and families navigating anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, emotional regulation challenges, identity development, performance pressure, and major life transitions.

At the center of her clinical work is a process-based approach that looks beyond diagnoses and surface-level symptoms to understand the deeper patterns shaping a person’s experience. Rather than focusing only on what is visible, she works with the whole person — exploring how thoughts, emotions, nervous system responses, relationships, family dynamics, and social contexts interact. By identifying key emotional and behavioural processes — such as avoidance, perfectionism, self-criticism, anxiety cycles, and relational disconnection — she supports clients in building practical, sustainable skills that foster meaningful and lasting change.

Dr. Lauren holds a PhD in Applied Health Sciences and is a Registered Social Worker. She has extensive experience in post-secondary and professional education, with roles in teaching, curriculum development, and clinical supervision across Ontario universities and colleges. Her work bridges research, practice, and community, with a focus on making knowledge accessible, applicable, and responsive to real-world contexts.

As the founder of Mimikej Integrated Services, she brings this same approach to her broader work — offering direct care, guiding professional learning, and contributing to the development of environments where connection, belonging, and well-being can grow. Her practice is grounded in accessibility, relational accountability, and a deep respect for the lived experiences of those she works alongside.