Lauren Bruce
Educational Therapist & Counsellor
Lauren brings together two worlds that don't always meet: more than 20 years in education and a deep understanding of mental health and therapeutic support.
A qualified counsellor and experienced teacher, Lauren has spent much of her career working alongside children and young people, understanding not only how they learn, but the emotional, social and developmental factors that can influence how they experience school and life.
Lauren holds a Master of Counselling, Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Arts, and is an ACA Level 2 registered counsellor. Her experience spans education, mental health, family violence recovery and alcohol and other drug support.
At the heart of Lauren's work is a desire to meet people where they are.
Warm, compassionate and person-centred, she creates a safe, non-judgemental space where children, young people and adults can explore what's happening for them, recognise their strengths and develop practical ways forward.
As an Educational Therapist, Lauren brings extensive experience across primary, secondary and tertiary education, with particular depth in literacy, English, VCE, curriculum and individual education planning. She understands that what's happening academically is often only one part of the picture.
Learning, anxiety, confidence, emotional regulation, relationships, neurodivergence, family circumstances and mental health can all influence how a young person engages with education. Lauren works collaboratively with students, families, schools and other professionals to understand the whole person and build support around their individual needs.
As a Counsellor, Lauren's experience includes trauma-informed counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, family violence recovery and alcohol and other drug support. Her practice draws on evidence-based approaches tailored to the needs and goals of the individual.
Lauren has also undertaken professional development in trauma safety and stabilisation, trauma processing and integration, trauma and addiction, family violence risk, and mental health assessment.
Whether she's supporting a child who is finding learning difficult, a teenager navigating school and mental health, or an adult moving through a challenging chapter of life, Lauren's philosophy remains beautifully simple:
Start with the person. Understand what matters to them. And walk alongside them from there.