Jessica and Lauren met as graduate students at the University of Maryland. It was quickly apparent that they have many complementary strengths and a similar view on child and family resilience and treatment. Though they live many miles apart, they have forged a strong friendship over many years.
Lauren A. Messina, PhD, LCMFT, DipACLM
Co-founder & Couple and Family Therapist
Licensure: Maryland LCM513, Virginia 0717002237
Licensed Since: 2010Certification: Wellcoaches Certified Health and Well-being Coach, 2024
Diplomat of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, 2022
PhD: Family Science, 2015, University of Maryland
Master’s: Couple & Family Therapy, 2010, University of Maryland
Bachelor’s: Communications, 2005, Villanova University
Lauren specializes in working on improving relationship health, whole person mental health, perinatal mental health, and parenting. Lauren enjoys working with parents, families, children, teens, and individuals seeking to break unhealthy intergenerational patterns. Lauren has been licensed since 2010 and provides therapy services to Maryland and Virginia residents. She offers day time and evening virtual sessions and in-person sessions in downtown Silver Spring on Wednesdays. Lauren also offers Health and Wellness Coaching to adults anywhere in the U.S.
Lauren’s approach to therapy begins with taking a client-centered, strengths-based empathetic perspective. Lauren strives to create a comfortable and safe environment for everyone, child and adults alike. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral, Solution-Focused, Acceptance and Commitment, and Experiential therapy, Lauren is adept at tailoring her approach to meet the needs of clients and is committed to helping you excel in your emotional intelligence. Lauren is a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and uses this knowledge to help clients improve their whole person well being. She also currently provides contracted therapy services to pregnant and postpartum women through Seven Starling, LLC.
Beyond therapy and work, Lauren can be found trying to soak in the wonder years of having two little ones at home, walking various Maryland trails with her dog, and finding new places around the DMV to explore with her husband. Lauren is currently on the board of Metro Marriage and Family Therapists. She is a past Board of Directors member of NAMI-Maryland and Director of Education at the Consortium for Health and Military Performance. Lauren is present, considerate, genuine, and a meaningful mix of serious and silly. Lauren enjoys watching documentaries, practicing yoga, and trying new (vegetarian) foods.
Jessica Brenneman, MS, LCMFT
Co-founder & Couple and Family Therapist
Licensure: Maryland LCM446
Licensed Since: 2010
Master’s: Couple & Family Therapy, 2010, University of Maryland
Bachelor’s: Psychology, 2008, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Jessica has worked in the mental health field since 2007, always with a focus on children and families. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2010 with a degree in Couple and Family Therapy. Jessica has worked in a partial hospital program, clinics, in-homes, and in private practice both in person and virtually. She has been fully licensed since 2012 and has held licenses in Delaware and North Carolina. Jessica has a certificate from the University of Maryland in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and a certificate from Georgetown University in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. She is a board approved supervisor for master’s level therapists in Maryland. Jessica has attended trainings in Sandplay, Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART), Theraplay, Child Centered Play, Filial Therapy, and Structural Family Therapy. She also works for a non-profit in Cecil County Maryland providing mental health support to young children. Jessica has extensive experience working with children who have intense behaviors, anxiety disorders, parenting troubles, and trauma.
She lives in Delaware with her son, husband, and dog in a drafty 100 year old home. Jessica is warm and compassionate. She loves spending time with friends and family, cooking, and visiting coffee shops and breweries.
