A group of zebras gather by a gently moving river. The zebras slowly walk off one by one, the last one in the group stops and looks at the camera several times. The background is a pastel mountain-scape with bright green grass.
Rowan Crawfish, LPC, ATR, NCC, ASDCS
She/her/hers
I know what itβs like to feel unseen, dismissed, or like your struggles donβt quite fit the mold of what people expect. Maybe youβve been told your pain is all in your head, that youβre too sensitive, or that you just need to try harderβbut deep down, you know thereβs more to the story. Whether youβre navigating chronic illness, unlearning harmful narratives about your body, processing trauma, or exploring your identity, this is a space where you donβt have to explain or justify your experience. You are already enough, just as you are.
Above all, my goal is to meet you where you are, help you feel seen, and support you in creating a life that feels like yoursβnot one shaped by survival alone. Therapy should be a space where you can exist fully, without apology. Iβm here to help you build that space.
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You deserve a space where you donβt have to shrink yourself, mask your needs, or explain why the world feels overwhelming. As a queer, neurodivergent, chronically ill, fat, secular therapist, I know firsthand how hard it can be to find care that truly gets it. Whether youβre navigating complex trauma, living in a body that the world wasnβt built for, processing medical trauma, or unlearning years of masking and self-doubt, I offer a therapeutic space where you are seen, you are valid, and you donβt have to fit into anyone elseβs mold.
My practice is client-led, social justice-oriented, and deeply affirming. I work primarily with queer, neurodivergent, and chronically ill individuals, as well as those with CPTSD and systemic trauma, recognizing that healing doesnβt happen in a vacuumβit happens in relationship, in safety, and in a space that honors all of who you are. Therapy with me isnβt about forcing change or following rigid models; itβs about collaborating, experimenting, and finding what actually works for you in ways that are sustainable and empowering.
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I integrate Attachment-Based Therapy, Art Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and somatic approaches, tailoring each session to what you need in the moment. If youβve ever struggled to put words to your experiences, art-based and body-focused practices can offer new ways to explore and express what feels unnameable. If past therapy has felt invalidating or too structured, weβll create a space that centers your autonomy, your way of processing, and your unique strengths.
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What is chronic conditions affirming therapy?
Chronic illness and chronic conditions affirming therapy is about creating a space where your experiences are validated, your struggles are acknowledged, and your whole selfβnot just your diagnosisβis seen and supported. Too often, people with chronic conditions are dismissed, invalidated, or told itβs βall in their head.β This therapy is the opposite of that. Itβs a place where you donβt have to prove your pain or justify your experience.
I recognize that chronic illness impacts more than just the physicalβit affects your mental health, relationships, identity, and daily life in ways others may not understand. Together, weβll navigate the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition (or a dozen), process medical trauma, unpack internalized ableism, and explore ways to advocate for yourself while honoring your bodyβs needs. Most importantly, this is a space where you are believed, supported, and empowered to move through life in a way that works for you.
Medical Trauma
Medical trauma isnβt just about life-threatening emergencies or major proceduresβit can happen in routine check-ups, minor interventions, and any medical experience where your autonomy was ignored or your consent wasnβt fully considered. Maybe a doctor dismissed your pain, performed a procedure without explaining your options, or made decisions about your body without truly involving you. Even seemingly βsmallβ violations can leave lasting emotional and physical scars, especially when they reinforce a pattern of being unheard or disrespected in medical spaces.
Neurodivergent individuals, including autistic folks and folks with ADHD, experience medical trauma at significantly higher rates. Sensory sensitivities, communication barriers, and a history of not being taken seriously can make medical settings feel overwhelming or even dangerous. Research has shown that autistic individuals are more likely to experience PTSD symptoms, often due to distressing medical interactions and a lack of consent-based care. If medical settings feel unsafe to you, that response makes senseβitβs not in your head.
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For neurodivergent clients, I take a fully affirming, non-pathologizing approach, recognizing that many struggles come not from being neurodivergent but from living in a world that doesnβt accommodate you. We might explore masking, sensory needs, executive functioning challenges, or unlearning internalized ableism, always with the understanding that you donβt need to change who you are to deserve support.
I work with autistic and AuDHD clientsβincluding those who were diagnosed later in life, who self-identify, or who are beginning to explore the possibility that they may be neurodivergent. For many, this process brings a mix of clarity and complexity: suddenly, past struggles and coping patterns start to make sense, but so does the griefβfor unmet needs, for the pressure to mask, and for relationships that may have shifted when you began showing up more authentically. In our work together, weβll hold space for all of itβprocessing grief, unlearning internalized narratives, and gently reconnecting with your needs, strengths, and voice. You deserve a space where you donβt have to explain or translateβwhere you are seen, supported, and celebrated exactly as you are.
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You donβt have to explain or justify who you are hereβyou are already seen, believed, and valued exactly as you are. 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming therapy isnβt just about acceptance; itβs about actively supporting you in your identity, your experiences, and your right to exist fully and unapologetically.
Living in a world that isnβt always safe or affirming can be exhausting. Maybe youβve been dismissed, invalidated, or forced to navigate spaces where you felt unseen or unsafe. Therapy with me is a place where you donβt have to hide parts of yourself, soften your truth, or wonder if youβll be judged. This is a space where all of you is welcomeβyour identity, your relationships, your experiences, your emotions, and your story.
Whether youβre:
π³οΈββ§οΈ Exploring gender or sexuality and seeking clarity, affirmation, or support
π Processing past harm, rejection, or family dynamics that have impacted your sense of self
π€ Navigating relationships, chosen family, or boundaries in a way that feels aligned and safe
β€οΈ Unlearning internalized shame and rebuilding self-trust
πΏ Just wanting a therapist who truly gets itβwithout tiptoeing, assuming, or needing you to educate themWeβll work together to reclaim your right to take up space, build a deeper connection with yourself, and create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling for you. You are not too much. You are not βwrong.β You are worthy of love, safety, and joyβexactly as you are.
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For clients with complex trauma and CPTSD, I focus on building nervous system regulation, increasing a sense of safety in relationships, and helping you reconnect with your own agency. We wonβt force reprocessing or dive into the hardest moments before youβre ready. Instead, weβll work together to develop tools that help you feel more grounded, more in control, and more able to engage with life on your terms.
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2025:
Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder
Clinical Specialist
Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) Level One
Book a consultation with me:
*I go by my chosen name. See bottom of profile page for licensure information under my legal name: Lauren St John
Therapy for people with chronic conditions
Do you have a chronic illness or six and feel like no one understands your lived experience?
Do you often find yourself not talking about your pain or symptoms because you are worried youβll burden others or annoy them?
Does it feel like people have stopped inviting you to things or that your connections with people are fading away?
Are you feeling isolated with your chronic illness?
Are you tired of being gaslit at medical appointments?
Are you exhausted from bouncing from one appointment to the next and trying to juggle life and family as well?
As a clinician who not only has worked with many chronically ill folks but is also chronically ill and has a dynamic disability, I get it, and I see you.
I know that navigating the medical care system as a βzebraβ can be so challenging and frustrating. Here, I see zebras, not horses, and I am here to support you and affirm your lived experience.
I can help you regulate your nervous system, find more peace day to day, get out of the boom-bust cycle, find joy, continue pursuing your hopes and dreams in a way that feels possible, advocate for yourself, accommodate yourself, and find community.
CPTSD,
neurodivergent affirming care, and
2SLGBTQIA+ affirming care
As a 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent clinician, I offer affirming, person-centered support for autistic and AuDHD adultsβespecially those who were diagnosed later in life, self-identify, or are beginning to explore the possibility of being neurodivergent. I specialize in helping clients unlearn internalized ableism, build self-compassion, and create lives that honor their unique needs and rhythms. Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis or exploring your neurotype for the first time, this is a space for curiosity, clarity, and deep affirmation of who you are.
In my work with 2SLGBTQIA+, chronically ill, and neurodivergent adults navigating CPTSD, I center self-compassion, healing, and grief processing through an integrative approach. Using attachment-based therapy, I help clients understand relational patterns, rebuild trust, and strengthen their connections with themselves and others. Art therapy offers a space for creative expression beyond words, allowing for the processing of trauma, loss, and identity exploration in ways that are consent-based and autonomy-affirming. Empowerment and advocacy are woven into every session, ensuring clients feel seen, validated, and supported as they navigate systemic barriers and reclaim their narratives. Holistic practices, including mindfulness and somatic awareness, provide grounding tools to foster emotional regulation and deepen self-compassion. Through a social justice and attachment-based lens, I create a therapeutic space where clients can honor their grief, reconnect with themselves, and move toward healing.
Through creative exploration, clients can process the impact of weight stigma, medical fatphobia, and unrealistic societal beauty standards while building a more compassionate, embodied relationship with themselves. Whether through self-portraiture, movement-based art, or expressive storytelling, my work supports clients in reclaiming their autonomy, honoring their bodies, and finding self-acceptance outside of oppressive narratives.
Through art-making, creative exploration, and nonverbal processing, I help clients access and express emotions that may be difficult to put into words. My work is especially supportive for neurodivergent individuals, 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, those living with chronic conditions, and people navigating complex trauma. Art therapy can be a powerful tool for processing identity, reclaiming body autonomy, unlearning internalized shame, and exploring emotional regulation in a way that feels safe and embodied.
With a deep understanding of the impact of systemic oppression, relational trauma, and chronic invalidation, I ensure that my practice is not just inclusive, but actively liberatory. Whether using paint, collage, sculpture, or movement, my approach prioritizes self-expression, empowerment, and self-compassion, meeting each client where they are. In my space, art is not about skill or perfectionβitβs about using creativity as a tool for healing, self-exploration, and reclaiming the parts of yourself that the world may have told you to hide.
My approach using art therapy is rooted in social justice, is neurodiverse affirming, body liberation-affirming, chronic illness/disability affirming, and queer-affirming, creating a space where clients can express themselves freely without fear of judgment or invalidation. I recognize that traditional talk therapy doesnβt always capture the full depth of experience, especially for those who have felt unseen, unheard, or dismissed in more conventional therapeutic settings.
My practice is consent and autonomy-based, ensuring that clients always have choice and control over their creative process. Clients are encouraged to work in whatever medium feels right for themβwhether thatβs painting, collage, sculpture, writing, music, drawing, movement, or something entirely different. There is no βrightβ way to engage in art therapy; clients can always change course, alter a directive, or adapt a task in a way that feels most comfortable and accommodating to them. I believe that healing happens when clients are empowered to engage on their terms, in ways that honor their unique needs and capacities.
I also integrate art therapy as a tool for body liberation and acceptance, helping clients unlearn body shame, reconnect with their physical selves, and challenge internalized fatphobia.
Art Therapy
My Specialties
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Therapy isnβt about trying to fit into some version of what βhealingβ is supposed to look like. Itβs about youβyour pace, your needs, your experiencesβwithout pressure, judgment, or expectations. Person-centered therapy means you are the expert on your own life, and Iβm here to walk alongside you, not tell you who you should be.
And because I ask you to show up as your full, unfiltered self, I do the same. I donβt hide behind clinical detachment or a rigid idea of professionalism. Youβll find me dressed comfortably, fidgeting, stimming, and cursing when it fitsβbecause therapy works best when we both get to be real. You donβt have to sit perfectly still, watch your words, or feel like you need to present yourself a certain way. Come as you are. Bring your emotions, your messiness, your silence, your laughter, your movementβeverything is welcome here.
What This Looks Like in Our Work Together
You set the pace. Weβll explore whatβs on your mind without rushing to solutions or forcing change before youβre ready.
No need to filter yourself. If you need to vent, stim, fidget, go off on tangents, or just sit quietly and process, itβs all okay.
I meet you where you are. Therapy isnβt about me βfixingβ youβitβs about helping you trust yourself, tap into your strengths, and create change in a way that feels right for you.
You are accepted exactly as you are. Whether youβve been told youβre βtoo muchβ or βnot enough,β this space is for you to exist without apology.
Healing happens through real, honest connectionβnot through perfection or pretense. So come as you are, and Iβll meet you there.
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You deserve a space where you feel seen, heard, and valuedβexactly as you are. A space where your identity, emotions, and lived experiences arenβt questioned or dismissed but honored and validated. Affirming, empowerment-based therapy isnβt about βfixingβ you or telling you what to doβitβs about supporting you in reclaiming your voice, your autonomy, and your sense of self.
For many, the world has sent the messageβthrough systemic oppression, invalidation, or past relationshipsβthat they need to shrink, hide, or change to be accepted. Therapy is a place where we challenge those harmful narratives and work toward healing in a way that feels safe, authentic, and truly yours.
What This Looks Like in Our Work Together
Honoring your experiences without judgmentβyour story matters, and you donβt have to justify your feelings or your existence.
Rebuilding self-trust by unlearning shame, self-doubt, and the pressure to meet othersβ expectations.
Developing tools for self-compassion, boundaries, and emotional regulation so that you feel more grounded and in control of your life.
Exploring the impact of oppression and systemic barriers while centering your resilience and agency.
Creating a path toward healing that feels right for youβbecause empowerment isnβt about fitting into someone elseβs version of success, but about defining what it means for yourself.
This is your space to show up fully, be exactly who you are, and take up the space you deserveβwithout apology. Healing isnβt about becoming someone else; itβs about reconnecting with who youβve always been. And you donβt have to do it alone.
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The way you connect with othersβwhether in relationships, friendships, or even your relationship with yourselfβhas been shaped by your past experiences. Maybe youβve learned to push people away to protect yourself, or maybe you feel like you have to earn love and acceptance. Maybe deep down, you crave connection but also fear being hurt or abandoned. These patterns donβt appear out of nowhere; they are your nervous systemβs response to past relationships, wounds, and unmet needs.
Through Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), weβll explore how your past experiences have influenced your emotional world and the way you connect with others. EFIT is an attachment-based approach that helps you move from patterns of disconnection, self-doubt, or emotional overwhelm to feeling more secure, empowered, and connectedβboth with yourself and in your relationships. This isnβt about blaming the past but about understanding how your emotional blueprint was shaped so you can rewrite it in a way that serves you.
What Our Work Together Looks Like
In therapy, weβll work together to:
Identify your attachment patterns and how they show up in your life, whether in relationships, friendships, or even your relationship with yourself.
Heal from past wounds that may still be impacting your sense of self-worth, emotional safety, or ability to trust others.
Strengthen emotional awareness and self-compassion so that you can feel more secure in your emotions instead of feeling overwhelmed or disconnected.
Develop a deeper sense of self-trust and connection by learning how to navigate vulnerability, express needs, and build relationships that feel safe and fulfilling.
The goal of this work isnβt to change who you areβitβs to help you feel more at home in yourself, more grounded in your relationships, and more confident in your ability to connect with others in a way that feels safe, mutual, and affirming. You donβt have to navigate this alone. Healing is possible, and it starts with understanding yourself with kindness.
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Trauma isnβt just about the big, obvious eventsβit can be the slow erosion of safety, the feeling of never being truly seen, or the weight of carrying too much for too long. It can come from childhood neglect, chronic invalidation, systemic oppression, medical trauma, or relationships where you felt unseen, unheard, or unworthy. Whatever your experience, your pain is real, your responses make sense, and you deserve a space where you feel safe, believed, and in control of your healing.Trauma-informed therapy isnβt about forcing you to relive the past or rushing your healing. Instead, we move at your pace, prioritizing safety, trust, and choice every step of the way. You are in control of your process. Weβll focus on:
Building a foundation of safety and nervous system regulation, so your body and mind donβt feel stuck in survival mode.
Exploring emotions with self-compassion, because healing isnβt about βgetting over itβ but about understanding yourself with kindness.
Unlearning survival patterns that no longer serve you, so you can shift from just getting through each day to actually living.
Reconnecting with your sense of self, so you can move forward in a way that feels authentic and empowering.
This is a space where you donβt have to justify your feelings or explain why certain things hurt as much as they do. Your experiences are valid. Your healing matters. And you donβt have to do it alone.
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My art therapy services are rooted in social justice, neurodiversity affirming, fat liberatory, and queer-affirming, creating a space where clients can express themselves freely without fear of judgment or invalidation. I recognize that traditional talk therapy doesnβt always capture the full depth of experience, especially for those who have felt unseen, unheard, or dismissed in more conventional therapeutic settings.
My practice is consent and autonomy-based, ensuring that clients always have choice and control over their creative process. Clients are encouraged to work in whatever medium feels right for themβwhether thatβs painting, collage, sculpture, writing, music, drawing, movement, or something entirely different. There is no βrightβ way to engage in art therapy; clients can always change course, alter a directive, or adapt a task in a way that feels most comfortable and accommodating to them. I believe that healing happens when clients are empowered to engage on their own terms, in ways that honor their unique needs and capacities.
I also integrate art therapy as a tool for body liberation and acceptance, helping clients unlearn body shame, reconnect with their physical selves, and challenge internalized fatphobia. Through creative exploration, clients can process the impact of weight stigma, medical fatphobia, and unrealistic societal beauty standards while building a more compassionate, embodied relationship with themselves. Whether through self-portraiture, movement-based art, or expressive storytelling, my work supports clients in reclaiming their autonomy, honoring their bodies, and finding self-acceptance outside of oppressive narratives.
Through art-making, creative exploration, and nonverbal processing, I help clients access and express emotions that may be difficult to put into words. My work is especially supportive for neurodivergent individuals, 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, those living with chronic conditions, and people navigating complex trauma. Art therapy can be a powerful tool for processing identity, reclaiming body autonomy, unlearning internalized shame, and exploring emotional regulation in a way that feels safe and embodied.
With a deep understanding of the impact of systemic oppression, relational trauma, and chronic invalidation, I ensure that my practice is not just inclusive, but actively liberatory. Whether using paint, collage, sculpture, or movement, my approach prioritizes self-expression, empowerment, and self-compassion, meeting each client where they are. In my space, art is not about skill or perfectionβitβs about using creativity as a tool for healing, self-exploration, and reclaiming the parts of yourself that the world may have told you to hide.
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What is chronic conditions affirming therapy?
Chronic illness and chronic conditions affirming therapy is about creating a space where your experiences are validated, your struggles are acknowledged, and your whole selfβnot just your diagnosisβis seen and supported. Too often, people with chronic conditions are dismissed, invalidated, or told itβs βall in their head.β This therapy is the opposite of that. Itβs a place where you donβt have to prove your pain or justify your experience.
I recognize that chronic illness impacts more than just the physicalβit affects your mental health, relationships, identity, and daily life in ways others may not understand. Together, weβll navigate the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition (or a dozen), process medical trauma, unpack internalized ableism, and explore ways to advocate for yourself while honoring your bodyβs needs. Most importantly, this is a space where you are believed, supported, and empowered to move through life in a way that works for you.
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Medical trauma isnβt just about life-threatening emergencies or major proceduresβit can happen in routine check-ups, minor interventions, and any medical experience where your autonomy was ignored or your consent wasnβt fully considered. Maybe a doctor dismissed your pain, performed a procedure without explaining your options, or made decisions about your body without truly involving you. Even seemingly βsmallβ violations can leave lasting emotional and physical scars, especially when they reinforce a pattern of being unheard or disrespected in medical spaces.
Neurodivergent individuals, including autistic and ADHD folks, experience medical trauma at significantly higher rates. Sensory sensitivities, communication barriers, and a history of not being taken seriously can make medical settings feel overwhelming or even dangerous. Research has shown that autistic individuals are more likely to experience PTSD symptoms, often due to distressing medical interactions and a lack of consent-based care. If medical settings feel unsafe to you, that response makes senseβitβs not in your head.
How We Approach Medical Trauma Together
Healing from medical trauma isnβt about forcing yourself to trust the system againβitβs about reclaiming your sense of safety, self-trust, and control over your own body and care. In our work together, we will:
Validate your experience. I believe you. Your pain is real, and what happened to you mattered. No more gaslighting or being told to βjust get over it.β
Address nervous system dysregulation. Medical trauma isnβt just emotionalβit lives in the body. Weβll use somatic and grounding techniques to help you feel safer in your own skin.
Use art therapy and creative processing. Sometimes words arenβt enough to express the frustration, fear, and grief that medical trauma brings. Through art, we can explore these emotions in a way that feels more intuitive and less overwhelming.
Build self-advocacy skills. Whether itβs preparing for an upcoming appointment, learning how to assert boundaries with doctors, or practicing scripts for self-advocacy, weβll work on making medical interactions less distressing.
Unlearn medical gaslighting. If youβve been told youβre βtoo anxious,β βtoo sensitive,β or that your pain isnβt real, weβll work on rebuilding trust in your bodyβs signals and your own intuition.
You Deserve Safe, Respectful Care
Medical trauma can make you feel powerless, disconnected from your body, or even afraid to seek care when you need it. But your body is not the enemy. You are allowed to take up space in medical settings. You deserve to be heard, to have your boundaries honored, and to receive care that respects your autonomy.
You donβt have to navigate this alone. Together, weβll work on healing the wounds that medical trauma has left behind, so you can move forward feeling more empowered, more in control, and more at home in your body.
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What is neurodivergent affirming therapy?
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy is about creating a space where you donβt have to mask, shrink yourself, or fit into neurotypical expectations just to be accepted. Itβs therapy that recognizes and celebrates the way your brain works, rather than trying to change or βfixβ it. I focus on helping you unpack internalized ableism, process past invalidation, and build self-trust so you can move through the world in a way that honors you.
I support autistic and AuDHD adultsβincluding those who were diagnosed later in life, who self-identify, or who are just beginning to explore whether these neurotypes resonate with their experience. Realizing you might be neurodivergent can bring a wave of clarity, but it can also surface deep griefβfor unmet needs, the effort it took to mask, and the relationships that may have shifted when you began embracing your full self. Together, weβll honor those feelings, gently unlearn harmful narratives, and find ways to advocate for your needs with compassion and clarity. This is a space where you donβt have to perform or explainβwhere you are fully seen, supported, and affirmed exactly as you are.
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You donβt have to explain or justify who you are hereβyou are already seen, believed, and valued exactly as you are. 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming therapy isnβt just about acceptance; itβs about actively supporting you in your identity, your experiences, and your right to exist fully and unapologetically.
Living in a world that isnβt always safe or affirming can be exhausting. Maybe youβve been dismissed, invalidated, or forced to navigate spaces where you felt unseen or unsafe. Therapy with me is a place where you donβt have to hide parts of yourself, soften your truth, or wonder if youβll be judged. This is a space where all of you is welcomeβyour identity, your relationships, your experiences, your emotions, and your story.
Whether youβre:
π³οΈββ§οΈ Exploring gender or sexuality and seeking clarity, affirmation, or support
π Processing past harm, rejection, or family dynamics that have impacted your sense of self
π€ Navigating relationships, chosen family, or boundaries in a way that feels aligned and safe
β€οΈ Unlearning internalized shame and rebuilding self-trust
πΏ Just wanting a therapist who truly gets itβwithout tiptoeing, assuming, or needing you to educate themWeβll work together to reclaim your right to take up space, build a deeper connection with yourself, and create a life that feels authentic and fulfilling for you. You are not too much. You are not βwrong.β You are worthy of love, safety, and joyβexactly as you are.
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As women, weβre often taught to shrink ourselvesβto prioritize others, silence our needs, and second-guess our instincts. Weβre told to be agreeable, accommodating, and selfless while carrying the weight of unrealistic expectations. Therapy is a space where you can begin to unlearn these messages, reconnect with your voice, and step into your power unapologetically.
Healing Through Self-Trust and Liberation
Empowerment isnβt just about confidenceβitβs about breaking free from the expectations and limitations that have been placed on you. Itβs about:
β Learning to trust yourself instead of seeking external validation
β Setting boundaries without guilt or fear
β Releasing perfectionism and the pressure to be βgood enoughβ
β Speaking up and owning your truth without apology
β Healing from internalized oppression and reclaiming your autonomyToo often, womenβs struggles are minimized, dismissed, or pathologized. Weβre told our pain is βnormal,β our ambition is βtoo much,β and our emotions are βtoo sensitive.β Therapy is a space where your experiences are seen, validated, and honoredβwithout having to explain why things feel unfair or exhausting. We acknowledge the real impact of patriarchy, misogyny, fatphobia, ableism, and systemic oppression, and we work together to dismantle the narratives that have kept you small.
A Holistic, Trauma-Informed Approach to Womenβs Empowerment
Empowerment doesnβt look the same for everyone, which is why our work together is deeply personal and tailored to what feels right for you. Some of the ways we can explore this journey include:
π Art Therapy & Creative Expression β Healing doesnβt always happen through words. Creative practices like drawing, painting, and journaling can help you explore your emotions, process trauma, and reclaim your identity in ways that feel intuitive and freeing.
π§ Nervous System Regulation & Self-Compassion β Many women live in a constant state of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. Weβll work on mindfulness, grounding techniques, and somatic healing to help you feel safer in your own body and more in control of your emotions.
π± Inner Child Healing & Reparenting β If you were raised to be the βgood girl,β to prioritize everyone elseβs needs over your own, or to stay small to be accepted, weβll work on healing those wounds and giving yourself the care, protection, and validation you always deserved.
π Boundaries & Self-Advocacy β Setting boundaries is an act of self-respect and empowerment. Weβll explore how to say no without guilt, express your needs without fear, and build relationships that honor your worth.
π₯ Unpacking Self-Doubt & Perfectionism β The pressure to be perfect, accommodating, and likable can be suffocating. Together, weβll challenge imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the fear of not being βgood enough.β
π‘ Redefining Success & Fulfillment β Women are often told that success means burnout, people-pleasing, or constantly proving themselves. Here, you get to define success, happiness, and fulfillment on your own termsβand build a life that reflects that.You Deserve to Take Up Space
Womenβs empowerment isnβt about hustling harder or trying to succeed within broken systems that were never built for us. Itβs about giving yourself permission to exist fullyβto trust yourself, to take up space, and to live without apology.
Therapy is where we begin that journey together. You donβt have to do this alone. π
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If youβre living with Complex PTSD (CPTSD), you might feel like your past is still running the showβwhether itβs through overwhelming emotions, self-doubt, relationship struggles, or patterns that feel impossible to break. Healing isnβt about forcing yourself to βmove onβ or reliving everything all at once. Itβs about creating a safe, steady space where you can gently untangle the impact of long-term traumaβwithout judgment, without pressure, and without having to go through it alone.
Reconnecting with Yourself: Safety, Self-Compassion & Inner Child Healing
CPTSD isnβt just about what happened to youβitβs also about what didnβt happen. The love you didnβt receive, the safety you werenβt given, the validation that never came. Trauma, especially when it happens over time, shapes the way you see yourself, your worth, your relationships, and the world around you. Together, weβll explore these patterns and begin to rewrite the story in a way that centers self-compassion and empowerment.
A big part of this work is inner child healingβacknowledging the younger versions of yourself that had to adapt, suppress, or hide just to survive. Weβll explore the messages you absorbed growing up, how family dynamics shaped your beliefs about yourself, and where you learned to shrink, people-please, or disconnect from your own needs. This isnβt about blameβitβs about understanding, processing, and making space for the healing that was never given to you before.
A Holistic & Creative Approach to Healing
Since CPTSD affects both the mind and body, I take a holistic, trauma-informed approach that includes:
π Art Therapy & Creative Expression β Sometimes, words arenβt enough. Art therapy allows you to process emotions in a way that feels safer and more intuitive. Through journaling, drawing, painting, or other creative outlets, we can explore feelings that feel too big or too complicated to say out loud.
π§ Nervous System Regulation β Trauma gets stored in the body. Weβll work on grounding techniques, mindfulness, and somatic approaches to help you feel more present and in control of your emotions instead of being hijacked by them.
β€οΈ Self-Compassion & Unlearning Survival Mode β Many people with CPTSD carry deep shame, self-criticism, or unworthiness. Therapy is a space to gently challenge those beliefs, rebuild self-trust, and develop self-compassion as you reconnect with your true self.
π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦ Exploring Family & Relationship Patterns β Understanding how past experiences shaped your relationships can help you break cycles of self-abandonment, codependency, or hyper-independence so you can create connections that feel safe and fulfilling.
π Boundaries & Reclaiming Your Voice β Many of us were taught that love had to be earned, that we had to be small, agreeable, or perfect to be worthy of care. Weβll work on setting boundaries, speaking up for yourself, and building relationships that honor your needs instead of draining you.Healing is About Moving ForwardβNot Just Looking Back
Therapy for CPTSD isnβt about βgetting over it.β Itβs about learning how to move forward in a way that honors your past while creating a future that feels safe, empowered, and truly yours. You donβt have to go through this alone, and you donβt have to keep carrying this weight by yourself. Healing is possible, and it starts with giving yourself permission to take up space, to feel, and to rewrite your story on your own terms.
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When I work with couples, I take an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) approach, which means we focus on the deeper emotional patterns shaping your relationshipβnot just the surface-level conflicts. My goal is to help you both feel seen, heard, and deeply understood in a way that strengthens your connection and builds a secure emotional bond.
In our sessions, weβll slow things down and explore the cycles you get stuck inβthe moments where you miss each other, where it feels like no matter what you say, the other person doesnβt quite get it. These patterns arenβt about one person being βthe problem.β Instead, theyβre protection strategies youβve developed over time, often rooted in past experiences or fears of rejection, abandonment, or not being enough. My job is to help you both recognize these cycles and find new ways of reaching for each other with honesty, vulnerability, and trust.
Since many of my clients are navigating complex identities, medical trauma, systemic oppression, or neurodivergence, I also take a deeply affirming, social justice-based approach to relationships. If youβve felt dismissed, misunderstood, or like traditional couples therapy didnβt quite βgetβ you, I want you to know that our work together will be different. Weβll honor your unique experiences, communication styles, and relationship structuresβthereβs no one-size-fits-all approach here.
I also integrate mindfulness, ACT, and DBT tools to help you both increase emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and self-compassionβso that even in the hardest moments, you can show up for each other in a way that feels secure and connected. And if past trauma plays a role in your relationship, Iβll help you navigate it without shame or blame, creating space for healing, repair, and deeper intimacy.
At the core of my approach is the belief that relationships thrive when both people feel safe enough to be authentic, vulnerable, and emotionally engaged. My role is to help you get thereβtogether.
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What is it?
Fat-liberation oriented therapy is about creating a space where you donβt have to justify your body, your experiences, or your worth. It actively rejects diet culture, weight stigma, and the idea that your value is tied to the size of your body. Too often, fat people are dismissed, shamed, or made to feel like their struggles arenβt valid unless theyβre trying to shrink themselves. This therapy is the opposite of thatβitβs a space where you are seen, respected, and supported exactly as you are.
This approach acknowledges the harm of anti-fat bias, medical fatphobia, and the emotional toll of existing in a world that constantly tries to shrink you. Together, we work on unlearning internalized shame, reconnecting with your body in a way that feels safe, and building self-trust and self-compassion. Whether youβre navigating medical trauma, body image struggles, or just need a therapist who gets it, this is a place where your lived experience is honored, your body is never the problem, and your healing isnβt dependent on changing who you are.
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Burnout doesnβt look the same for everyone, and I approach vocational burnout and autistic burnout differently because their causesβand the ways they manifestβare different. Vocational burnout often comes from chronic workplace stress, high demands, and emotional exhaustion, while autistic burnout happens when the constant effort to navigate a neurotypical world, mask traits, and manage sensory overwhelm becomes too much.
My goal isnβt to apply a one-size-fits-all strategy, but to help you find real, sustainable ways to recover, regulate, and protect your energy moving forward.
How I Support Vocational Burnout
Vocational burnout is more than just being tiredβitβs deep emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a loss of motivation and fulfillment in your work. If youβre feeling drained, unmotivated, or disconnected from yourself because of work, weβll explore ways to restore balance and redefine your relationship with work.
Mindfulness and Stress Management: I integrate mindfulness-based techniques, grounding exercises, and cognitive strategies to help regulate stress and prevent burnout from taking over.
Workload and Boundary Assessment: Weβll take an honest look at how much is on your plate and identify ways to set boundaries that protect your mental health while still meeting your professional needs.
Processing Workplace Stress and Systemic Barriers: Burnout isnβt just about personal resilienceβitβs often about unrealistic expectations, toxic work environments, or oppressive systems that demand too much. Therapy can be a space to validate these experiences and explore ways to navigate them.
Support and Connection: Burnout thrives in isolation. Weβll work on strengthening support systemsβwhether thatβs in the workplace or outside of itβto create a buffer against stress.
How I Support Autistic Burnout
Autistic burnout is different from vocational burnout because itβs not just about stressβitβs about the exhaustion that comes from masking, sensory overload, social expectations, and trying to function in a world that often isnβt built for neurodivergent needs. Itβs a full-body, emotional, and cognitive shutdown that can take weeks, months, or even years to recover from. I work with autistic clients to help reduce the strain, unmask in safe ways, and create a life that honors your neurodivergence rather than working against it.
Sensory Regulation and Overload Management: If sensory overwhelm contributes to burnout, weβll explore ways to adjust your environment, set up sensory-friendly spaces, and create a routine that supports your nervous system.
Reducing Masking and Encouraging Authenticity: If youβve been masking for years, it makes sense that you feel exhausted. Weβll work on finding spaces where you can unmask safely, practice self-acceptance, and express yourself in a way that feels natural.
Art Therapy and Creative Expression: Many autistic individuals process emotions best through nonverbal or creative outlets. We can use drawing, painting, or movement to explore emotions, release tension, and reconnect with yourself.
Predictability and Energy Management: Weβll look at ways to structure your day to reduce unpredictability, minimize energy-draining activities, and prioritize rest without guilt.
Challenging Internalized Ableism: Many autistic individuals feel guilt or shame when they canβt keep up with neurotypical expectations. I help clients unlearn harmful narratives and build self-compassion around their needs and limits.
Burnout Recovery Is PersonalβAnd You Deserve Support
Burnout isnβt a personal failureβitβs a sign that something isnβt working and needs to change. Whether youβre struggling with vocational burnout, autistic burnout, or both, weβll work together to create strategies that support your well-being without forcing you into unsustainable coping mechanisms.
Your energy, rest, and needs matter. You donβt have to push through burnout aloneβweβll find a way to restore balance, honor your neurodivergence, and build a life that feels sustainable for you.
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Many of us carry wounds from childhoodβmessages that told us we were too much, not enough, or only lovable when we met certain expectations. These early experiences shape how we see ourselves, how we show up in relationships, and how we respond to the world. Inner child work is about reconnecting with those younger parts of you that never got what they neededβwhether that was love, safety, validation, or the freedom to just be.
In our work together, we donβt just talk about your inner child; we create space to hear them, understand them, and give them what they never received. This isnβt about blaming the past but about healing the ways it still lives in you today.
How We Approach Inner Child Healing
Inner child work isnβt just about thinking back on the pastβitβs about feeling, expressing, and reconnecting in a way that creates real healing. I integrate:
Art therapy and creative expressionβbecause some wounds are too deep for words alone. Through drawing, painting, journaling, or movement, we give your inner child a voice beyond logic and language.
Guided visualization and dialogueβhelping you connect with your younger self, offering them the compassion, protection, or reassurance they never had.
Somatic and nervous system workβbecause childhood wounds donβt just exist in our minds; they live in our bodies. Weβll explore how past experiences may be showing up in tension, anxiety, or survival patterns.
Reparenting and self-compassion practicesβlearning to be the loving, steady presence for yourself that you always deserved.
What Inner Child Work Can Offer You
Through this process, we work on breaking cycles of self-doubt, perfectionism, and self-abandonmentβpatterns that were often survival strategies in childhood but no longer serve you now. Inner child healing allows you to:
Understand where certain emotional reactions come from and begin responding with self-compassion instead of shame.
Reclaim joy, creativity, and self-expression that may have been lost along the way.
Create emotional safety within yourself so that you no longer have to seek it in unhealthy or unreliable places.
Learn how to meet your own needs in a way that feels nurturing, not punishing.
This is deep, powerful work, and you donβt have to do it alone. Your inner child still exists, waiting to be seen, heard, and held with the care they always needed. Together, we create that spaceβone where you can heal, reconnect, and step into the life that was always meant for you.
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If youβre struggling with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), you know itβs more than just mood swings or painful cyclesβit can feel like your entire world shifts every month. One moment, you feel like yourself, and the next, itβs like everything is unraveling. The emotional whiplash, the exhaustion, the self-doubt, and the grief of constantly rebuilding yourself can be overwhelming. Youβre not alone, and you donβt have to figure this out on your own.
My approach to PMDD therapy is holistic, empowered, and deeply attuned to the mind-body connection. I look at the whole pictureβyour emotions, nervous system, relationships, and the larger systems that impact your well-being. PMDD is often misunderstood, especially for those who are neurodivergent or living with co-occurring conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). I deeply understand these connections and can help you navigate self-care, medical advocacy, and balancing your unique needs with compassion and clarity.
Reclaiming Your Experience
Too often, women and AFAB individuals with PMDD are misdiagnosed with mood disorders like bipolar disorder or major depression, even when their symptoms follow a clear hormonal cycle. The medical system has a long history of dismissing womenβs pain and gaslighting people into believing their suffering is βjust anxietyβ or βall in their headβ. If youβve ever felt invalidated, unheard, or forced to fight for proper care, therapy is a space to unpack that frustration, process the emotional toll of medical dismissal, and reclaim trust in yourself and your experiences.
Building Support for Every Part of Your Cycle
In our work together, we focus on understanding your unique patterns, tracking symptoms, and developing tools that support you throughout your entire cycleβnot just when things feel unbearable. I help you explore:
β Nervous system regulation to reduce emotional overwhelm and sensory sensitivity
β Self-compassion practices to shift away from self-blame and shame
β Practical strategies to navigate shifts in mood, energy, and emotional intensity
β Processing medical trauma and the emotional impact of living with a misunderstood condition
β Strengthening relationships by learning how to communicate needs and set boundariesA Holistic & Empowered Approach to Healing
Healing with PMDD isnβt just about copingβitβs about learning to work with your body instead of fighting against it. I integrate a range of approaches, including:
πΏ Mindfulness and grounding techniques to manage distress in the moment
π Art therapy and creative expression for emotional release when words feel impossible
π Boundary-setting and self-advocacy to help you protect your energy and well-being
π‘ Exploring treatment options in a way that feels empowering, whether that includes medication, lifestyle changes, or alternative healing approaches
π€ Attachment-focused support to navigate the relational challenges that can arise from PMDDPMDD can feel isolating and relentless, but you donβt have to carry it alone. Therapy is a space where you can be fully seen, validated, and supported in creating a life that works for youβnot just around your symptoms.
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Creativity isnβt just about producing somethingβitβs about expression, exploration, and connection. When a creative block shows up, it can feel frustrating, disorienting, and even personal, as if youβve somehow lost touch with an essential part of yourself. Whether youβre a writer, artist, musician, or creative thinker in any field, I understand how stuckness can feel like a heavy weight, one thatβs often tied to perfectionism, self-doubt, or deeper emotional barriers.
How I Help Clients Work Through Creative Blocks
A creative block is rarely just about βlack of inspiration.β Often, itβs a mix of fear, burnout, emotional overwhelm, or internalized expectations that make creative expression feel out of reach. Together, weβll explore whatβs holding you back and develop ways to move through resistance with curiosity instead of frustration.
Exploring the Emotional Roots of the Block: Creative blocks often come from perfectionism, fear of failure, past criticism, or unresolved emotions. Through therapy, we can gently uncover and address these emotional barriers so they no longer control your creative process.
Using Art Therapy to Break Through Stagnation: If creativity feels forced, I incorporate art therapy techniques like free drawing, collage, movement, or guided prompts to help you bypass overthinking and reconnect with your intuitive self.
Unlearning Perfectionism and Self-Doubt: Many creative blocks come from internalized expectations about what your work βshouldβ be. Weβll work on challenging harsh self-criticism, loosening rigid standards, and making space for imperfection.
Addressing Burnout and Restoring Playfulness: Creativity isnβt just about outputβitβs about play, exploration, and curiosity. If burnout is draining your creativity, weβll work on restoring joy in the process rather than focusing on the end result.
Mindfulness and Somatic Approaches to Creativity: Sometimes, creative blocks live in the body. If anxiety or tension is shutting down your creative flow, weβll explore breathwork, grounding techniques, or movement-based exercises to help you feel more connected and open to inspiration.
Developing a Sustainable Creative Routine: If motivation feels inconsistent, we can explore ways to build a creative practice that feels natural rather than forced, allowing you to engage with your work in a way that supports rather than depletes you.
Creativity Is a Relationship, Not a Demand
Creative blocks donβt mean youβre not talented, inspired, or capableβthey mean something inside you needs attention, care, and space. Therapy can help you work through resistance, rediscover creative flow, and reconnect with the joy of making, expressing, and creating.
You donβt have to push through the block alone. Letβs explore whatβs getting in the way and find a way back to creativity that feels freeing, not forced.
My approach and what a session with me looks like:
My approach to therapy is centered on seeing you as a whole person and understanding the systems that shape your experiences. I believe in fostering a space where collaboration, consent, and personal autonomy guide our work together. While I often incorporate art therapy, attachment based therapy, and holistic methods, every session is tailored to what feels most effective and comfortable for you.
You donβt need any background in art to benefit from art therapyβitβs about the process not the product or artistic skill. My role is to support and walk alongside you as you navigate your path toward healing and growth.
Outside of therapy, I spend my time with my spouse and pets, tending to my plants, crocheting, knitting, and reading. Iβm especially passionate about working with communities that have been historically excluded, ensuring that everyone I work with feels seen, valued, and supported. Wherever you are in your journey, Iβm here to help.
This is not traditional βold schoolβ therapy. Therapy with me is about the power of the therapeutic relationship. Here, we show up as ourselves. If you are looking for a therapist, you can have a genuine therapeutic relationship with someone who responds with emotion and not as an emotionless blank slate; this is the place for you. Here, I fidget, stim, craft, and swear alongside you. I show up as myself so you can show up as yourself! Tattoos, piercings, and casual attire are welcome and appreciated here. I walk with you on your journey, give encouragement, challenge you when needed, celebrate your wins, and support you when things donβt go the way you planned. I provide oodles of resources and will guide you in the exploration of how various systems are impacting you. I believe you are the expert on your life and lived experience, and I am here to help you see the knowledge you already hold! Therapy with me is collaborative and views you as a whole person. Here, you can show up as yourself and find support where you need it most.
Badges, Certifications, & Directories
Limited openings available
I accept:
Self-pay
Sliding scale
Open Path
Out-of-network benefits
FSA/HSA
In network with:
Aetna
Optum
Credentialing in progress for:
Cigna
BCBS
For clients wishing to use out-of-network benefits:
We've partnered with Mentaya, a service that streamlines getting reimbursed for your therapy sessions through out-of-network benefits.
See if you qualify: https://mentaya.co/checkbenefits/counselingzebra
Mentaya is perfect if you:
β’ Have out-of-network benefits
β’ Feel overwhelmed by superbills and insurance
β’ Have submitted superbills but failed to get any reimbursement
β’ Simply want to skip the hassle of paperwork!
You can also use the tool below to check your out-of-network benefits:
Working with me
My legal name is Lauren St John, but I go by my chosen name: Rowan Crawfish.
You can find my licensure information here under my legal name:
https://verify.sos.ga.gov/verification/Search.aspx
https://my.atcb.org/index.aspx
https://nbcc.org/search/counselorverify
Use the calendar below to schedule a free 15 minute consultation call with me or contact me to schedule a consultation call using the contact form (the process is the same for groups and individual sessions).
Book a consultation with me:
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My furry, scaly, and hairless office assistants
Dunkin
Lab mix
12 years old
Boogeyman
Pomeranian
5 years old
Chonk and Hippo
Skinny Pigs
Both are 4 years old
Moose
Shepard mix
9 years old
Jose and Nacho
Chihuahua mix and Papillon mix
Both are 15 years old
Mushu Bok choy Zombroni
Bearded Dragon
8 months old