Lauren Woolley(She/Her/Hers)

I’m Dr. Lauren Woolley, a psychologist in San Diego, and I work with individuals and couples who feel overwhelmed, stretched too thin, and disconnected from themselves or each other. Many of the people I see are thoughtful, capable individuals who are trying to be everything to everyone — a supportive partner, a present parent, a reliable employee — while quietly running on empty. Over time, that exhaustion can show up as anxiety, panic, numbness, irritability, or a low mood.

In therapy, I focus on helping you slow things down and reconnecting with what brings you a sense of calm and meaning. My style is warm, collaborative, and non-judgmental. I want therapy to feel like a place where you can finally take a breath, be honest about how hard things feel, and start to feel more like yourself again. I offer both in-person and video sessions, and my office is in the heart of Old Town with easy parking and access to the transit center.

My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS). These approaches help you relate differently to painful thoughts and emotions, understand the parts of you that are trying to cope or protect you, and move toward greater self-compassion and clarity about what truly matters. I also draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to build practical tools for coping, self-soothing, and stress reduction.

When working with couples, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Gottman Method to help partners strengthen communication and emotional connection.

I earned my doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Texas Woman’s University. At the heart of my work is deep respect for your story and your pace. I strive to create a space that feels safe, compassionate, and grounded in acceptance — where meaningful change can begin.