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Lauren Urban, LCSW

Licensed Psychotherapist

Lauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist and the owner of Psychobabble Therapy based in Brooklyn, New York. With over 16 years of therapy experience, Lauren has worked with children, families, couples, and individuals, providing an anti-oppressive, identity-affirming space. Lauren is also a certified hypnotherapist at Moon & Key Hypnosis and the co-founder of Get Right Wellness Collective. She received her Masters in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006, and specializes in working with the LGBTQIA community and with clients in recovery or considering recovery for drug and alcohol use.

Education

  • SUNY New Paltz, BA, Psychology
  • Hunter College School of Social Work, MSW

Professional Achievements

  • Therapist in private practice and co-owner of an integrative wellness space called Get Right Wellness
  • Featured in print and online articles as an expert throughout their career

Certifications & Organizations

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New York (#086979)
  • Certified Hypnotherapist (CHT) with the National Guild of Hypnotists

Favorite Piece of Advice

You are not a problem to solve. Regardless of what you're struggling with or what you'd like to change, you are a person who is worthy of love, compassion and nurturing - from yourself most of all.

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Q&A Comments (117)

How do I know if I'm actually depressed or not?
It really depends on the person. If you have a history of depression, the odds are you're more likely to suffer from depression. Generally speaking, if you're depressed you'll have an increased feeling of apathy and won't care about things you used to care deeply about. You'll likely stop enjoying things you used to enjoy. Not keeping up with your personal hygiene is another big sign as well, and you may start isolating yourself from others. If you have any signs of depression, talk to your parents and/or therapist about getting help.
How do I help my teenager who doesn't want help?
It's really important that they understand mental illness is a real illness, just like the flu. Many teens don't recognize that mental health is just like any other kind of health, so they feel embarrassed about seeking assistance. Teach your teen that there's nothing wrong or shameful about seeking help. Open up to them and try to connect with them to get it through that they need help. You could also talk to one of their teachers or coaches about encouraging them to get help as well so that there's another supportive adult pushing them to reach out.
How do you explain mental health?
The easiest way to explain it is to compare it to physical health. Anyone can get cancer or a cold, the same way anyone can develop depression or anxiety. This helps alleviate the idea that there's something intrinsically wrong with someone suffering from a mental illness, and it's a lot easier to understand it as an actual illness.
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Co-authored Articles (46)

8 Common Family Structures in Modern-Day Society

Plus, the strengths and weaknesses of each type of family How many different family structures are there, and is any one type considered “the norm”? We’re here to tell you everything you need to know. “Family str...

What’s the Difference Between “Queer” and “Gay”?

Everything you need to know about these LGBTQ termsYou may have heard members of the LGBTQ+ community referring to themselves as “gay,” “queer,” or both. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how are they dif...

How to

Talk With a Gay or Lesbian Person

The best tips for chatting with gay people and being a good ally If you are an ally of the LGBT+ community, you may be concerned about behaving in a way that supports that attitude. If you struggle to accept gay people,...

How to

Know if You Are Genderfluid

Gender fluidity refers to changes in a person's gender expression, gender identity, or both throughout time. This shift might be in expression but not in identity, or in identity but not in expression. Both can occur tog...

How to Stop a Gaming Addiction

Learn how to prevent gaming addiction & recognize the signsPlaying video games casually can be a great way to unwind and have fun. But if you’re so fixated on gaming that it feels like it’s taking over your life, you...

20 Things to Consider when Dating a Man Who Has a Child (When You Don't)

Know what to expect from a relationship with a single fatherDating a man with a child from a previous relationship can feel overwhelming, but it can also be a wonderful and rewarding experience, even if you don’t have ...

How to Be and Stay Celibate

A guide to embracing and maintaining your celibacy journey Living a life of celibacy can be hard at times, but it’s also rewarding. Whether you’re celibate by choice or circumstances, it’s possible to live a health...

Telling Your Friend You're Gay & You Have Feelings For Them

Expert tips on how to navigate this sensitive situationSo, you’ve recently had an epiphany: you’ve fallen in love with your friend. It's natural that you want to be honest with your friend about your sexuality and yo...

How to

Quit Drinking Alcohol

If you’re looking at this page, then it means you’re interested in making a positive change in your life. Now's a great time to turn that into a concrete plan and take immediate action, while you feel that motivation...

How to Limit Social Media and Internet Use: 11 Expert Tips

A comprehensive guide to help you manage your social media and internet use Social media and the internet are powerful tools that are an important part of our everyday lives. We use them to learn, communicate, work, and ...

What Is the Black Sheep of the Family? (Plus, 5 Signs to Look Out For)

Discover if you’re the black sheep & how to deal with it You may have heard people describe themselves as the “black sheep of the family,” but what exactly does it mean? This popular term describes a personality ty...

How to Come Out to Your Parents as Gay or Lesbian

A guide to breaking the news and handling their reactionComing out to your parents can be a joyous, empowering experience—but it can also be nerve-wracking and even scary. If you’re unsure how to tell your parents yo...

How to

Practice Nonviolent Communication

Nonviolent Communication ('''NVC''') includes a simple method for clear, empathic communication, consisting of four areas of focus: *Observations *Feelings *Needs *Requests NVC aims to find a way for all present to g...

How to

Help Someone Having a Panic Attack

Witnessing a friend have a panic attack can be an alarming thing. You feel helpless in what seems like a straightforward situation (but often isn't). To help the episode pass as swiftly as possible, follow these guidelin...

How to

Feel Less Dysphoric when Closeted

Transgender and non-binary people often experience distress due to their sex or assigned gender not matching their lived gender identity. This is called "gender dysphoria." Gender dysphoria can be especially hard to cope...

How to

Convince Your Parents to Let You Switch Schools

School is an important part of your life. You want to make sure that you’re somewhere you feel comfortable and enjoy. It might take time to convince your parents that you need to switch schools, but if you have good re...

How to

Cope when You Find out Your Parent Is Having an Affair

When you find out a parent is having an affair, it can be hard to feel like life is normal, but you can cope with this and move forward by establishing productive ways to process your emotions, such as therapy or simply ...

How to Quit Cheating and Rebuild Your Relationship After Infidelity

If you want to know how to stop cheating, you're already on the road to recovery. Not only does infidelity negatively impact your partner, but it can also leave you with unresolved guilt. Here, we'll share expert-backed ...

What Are the Most Important Things in a Relationship? 12 Traits to Make Your Love Last

Sharing your life with someone is a wonderful thing, and having a loving partner can make you feel more fulfilled. While you surely know that love is a key component of a relationship, it takes more than love to make a r...

How to

Discuss Your Lesbian or Bisexual Interest in a Friend

We all get crushes on friends. However, if you and your friend don’t share the same sexual orientation, a crush on a friend can be tricky. When you just can’t hide your interest anymore, it’s time to take some acti...
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