Community Highlights: Meet Lauren Dees-Pedroza of Bloom Counseling and Wellness Center

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Dees-Pedroza.

Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My first plunge into the therapy world was working within a maximum-security prison with male inmates. Fresh out of graduate school, I was intimidated by the population. Still, through that experience, I gained much insight and confidence and learned that I desperately wanted to do trauma work with individuals and groups. Fast forward, and I had several experiences working within agencies where I focused on trauma, personality disorder work, and skill groups. I reached a point where I felt fulfilled by my work but limited by being a part of an agency or organization. My good friend/business partner and I felt we had “bloomed,” so to speak, and had outgrown being employees. We had aspirations of creating a safe and positive therapeutic space where we could focus on our strengths and have full clinical control. These aspirations led us to create Bloom Counseling & Wellness Center. Our practice is my baby! In this space, I feel I can truly shine. I currently focus on treating trauma and personality disorders and developing a Sex Therapy practice. I just finished my first women’s intimacy group focused on pleasure and self-confidence, and I have to say, it was an incredibly empowering experience. Being a therapist is something I don’t take lightly. I pride myself on being down-to-earth, authentic, and vulnerable with my patients and I feel honored every day to be trusted so deeply by my clients.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not always trusting my judgment and desires for my practice and myself would occasionally hinder me. I would have my negative self-talk or fears be barriers to taking steps or inhibit me from asking for what I needed. Although looking back, I appreciate those setbacks because now I feel SOOOO GOOOD when I say no, set boundaries, or advocate for myself and the practice. I needed to doubt to believe in the work I do truly.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Bloom Counseling and Wellness Center?
We are a private practice full of independent contractors. There is no boss or employee hierarchy; we all have our specialties and the freedom to explore whatever we are passionate about! I specialize in treating those with traumatic backgrounds, personality disorders, and sexual conditions. What I would say sets me apart is my ability to be authentically myself while treating my patients. It’s never awkward, medical model weirdness in my office. It’s always a real connection between myself and my client. I utilize humor, compassion, and acceptance to help empower my patients to take on life stressors and feel more confident. I never have “fixed” anyone; we simply work together to enhance whatever the client has within them and learn new tools to help them accept themselves and change whatever they feel they want to. I want everyone out there to feel safe accessing therapy, to know that you can be yourself and your therapist loves and accepts you the way you are but will also push you to be better and do better.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I would love to network with other professionals in the area to encourage wellness in our communities! For example, I recently participated in a podcast with local KC women to discuss pleasure and the benefits of attending a Sex Therapy group. I loved hearing their perspectives and collaborating to help both of our audiences have access to positive media. I hope to continue to work within the community to make connections, reduce the stigma around mental health conditions, and receive therapeutic support.

Pricing:

• Group Therapy – $40 per session
• Individual Therapy- $125 per session
• Some insurance and sliding scale accepted

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bloomcounselingandwellnesscenter.com

Image Credits
First photo- Riley Cole Photography Second Phone- Kyleigh Rowe Photography