Meet Lauren Mills, Registered Clinical Counsellor at Alive Counselling

What makes me come alive

As a former teacher, Lauren brings over 6 years of experience helping youth and adolescents navigate life’s unique challenges. Lauren is passionate about counselling for teens and adults in Kelowna, BC for anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, athletes, and a variety of “issues.” By walking besides clients in their mental health journey, Lauren incorporates a holistic mind and body approach to healing and well-being. As an elite-level coach and athlete, Lauren works from a strength-based and solution-focused approach tailored to individual clients’ needs. Bringing all these life skills together as a counsellor, Lauren works hard to help clients’ voices feel heard and supported in their pursuit of mental health journeys.

Lauren received her education degree in Alabama while on a sports scholarship. After graduating, she returned to her home in Saskatchewan, where she worked as a high school teacher and guidance counsellor. Lauren worked primarily with female youth in high trauma situations and worked to incorporate holistic methods of healing that align with an individual’s cultural strengths and supports. After six years of teaching, Lauren went back to school and graduated with her master’s in counselling psychology to better suit the challenges and needs of the individuals she was working with.

 

To help meet the individual needs of each unique person, Lauren works on building a therapeutic approach with her clients. She listens to understanding life challenges to meet clients where they are currently and strengths and tools in their lives to achieve personal goals. Lauren creates an inviting environment for clients to feel comfortable exploring difficult subjects with a side of warm humour.

 

From a teaching background, Lauren works with youth with learning differences to help find strategies and tools to help excel in the classroom. Lauren doesn’t use the word ‘disability’ and works with individuals to understand their ‘superpower’. Adults that are diagnosed with learning or cognitive differences later in life can face specific challenges. Lauren works with clients to understand differences and how to turn them into strengths while navigating challenges in life.

 

A holistic approach to health is important to Lauren, and she enjoys promoting physical health and well-being as a coach in the community. Over the years, Lauren has coached community and elite level programs in multiple sports in Canada. Mental training and toughness at collegiate and elite levels of competition is something that can help athletes find their balance to achieve their goals and milestones. You wouldn’t skip leg day, don’t skip mental training.

 

Walk and talk therapy is something Lauren is passionate about and finds walking next to individuals. Lauren cares deeply about supporting others in difficult times and through traumatic experiences. Whether you have experienced traumatic situations or work in crisis situations as part of your daily job, Lauren is here to walk with you through difficult times. Walking incorporates physical activity for natural endorphins that can play an important role in holistic health. Sometimes an office can feel intimidating for certain clients; why not take advantage of the beautiful nature in the Okanagan and recharge. Being in nature is a powerful grounding tool that reminds clients to focus on the present moment.

 

Lauren thrives working with youth and is passionate about working with First Nations communities. Through her experiences supporting youth in her own community, she understands barriers that can prevent individuals from accessing mental health support. Lauren works with clients to create a safe space for individuals to receive support rooted in cultural healing they are looking for.

 

Away from the office, Lauren loves working in her community and dedicates time to youth through coaching and cultural growth projects. From cooking food from different countries to carving canoes, Lauren loves to learn new skills and is excited for new challenges.