Dr. Lauren Laifer, PhD, Clinical Psychologist

My name is Dr. Lauren Laifer, and I am a clinical psychologist who provides online therapy and counseling services to individuals and couples throughout the Pittsburgh and greater Pennsylvania area.  My Psypact certification is pending, which means I will soon be seeing clients in all 42 active Psypact states.

As a person, I like to joke that I'm a grandma at heart. I love cross-stitching, gardening, a good mystery novel, and early bedtime.

As a therapist, clients have described me as someone who is genuine and easy to talk to. I strive to show up as a real person in the therapy room - I'm warm and authentically myself, and I work to create a space where clients feel seen and heard rather than judged or analyzed. I think Dr. Medilinger, a colleague at our practice, captured this well when he wrote the following: "she recognizes and understands both her clients and herself in the therapy room... She is notably aware of her own emotions, how those emotions would impact the clients, and has demonstrated the ability to share those emotions when that genuineness serves the client’s progress." That authenticity is paired with being thoughtful and intentional about the work I do with clients. I'm flexible in adapting treatment to each client's individual needs while remaining grounded in evidence-based care and focused on helping clients make meaningful progress toward their goals.

My Therapeutic Background

I am currently a clinical researcher at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. This tie to ongoing scientific trends keeps me at the top of my field, which continues to benefit my clients. I completed my undergraduate degree at Tufts University in Clinical Psychology. After that, I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. I then completed a one-year internship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center/Western Psychiatric Hospital.  I have specialized training in treating clients during the perinatal period, performing trauma therapies, assisting client’s with perfectionism and burnout, women’s health (perinatal and postpartum depression), and mood issues like depression and anxiety. I am currently a postdoctoral fellow and have 8 years of treating clients.

Evidence Based Treatments Offered in This Clinic

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) • Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills (DBT - not a full DBT residential program) • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) • Motivational Interviewing (MI) • Schema Therapy • Narrative Therapy Skills

I select each therapy modality depending upon individual client presentation, preferences for psychotherapy engagement, and information about a patient’s strengths and goals.