About Me

Lauren Raney, LCPC, ATR

Owner & Art Therapist

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) and a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). I specialize in working with individuals through art therapy coping with grief and loss, anxiety, and depression.

I also work part time at Willow House as their Assistant Program Director. I was the previous Program Director from 2019 - 2023.

I have experience supporting children and families through JourneyCare Hospice as their Bereavement Counselor and Children's Grief Coordinator and supporting children and teens in an inpatient children's behavioral health hospital as an Art Therapist at AMITA Health Behavioral Medicine Institute Children's Center Chicago.

My Thoughts on Grief Support

I believe that individuals of all ages experience grief, whether you are 3 years old or 90 years old. You are the expert of your grief journey and I strive to be there to companion you along the way. While we cannot make grief go away, I will hold space for what comes up for you in session and through your artwork. Grief ebbs and flows and all feelings are welcome here. There is no wrong way to grieve. Grief counseling and support can also look like education about grief and exploring what grief is to you.

Presentations

2024

National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Annual National Symposium on Utilizing the Expressive Therapies Continuum for Continuing Bonds with Grieving Families, Denver, CO

Highmark Caring Place | 2024 National Grief Talks Conference “Grief interrupted: Creating space for all experiences of loss!” on Empowering Caregivers of Grieving Children: How to Apply Expressive Art Tools Used by Professionals

2022

National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) Annual National Symposium on Empowering Caregivers of Grieving Children: How to Apply Expressive Art Tools Used by Professionals, Orlando, FL

Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association Annual Conference on Expressing Grief Through Art Making

Professional Speaking

ABC7

2021 - Speaking about the importance of art therapy on ABC7 during Expressive Arts Therapy Week during my time as Program Director at Willow House.

WGN

2020 - Speaking about the importance of expressing one’s grief and benefits of art therapy on WGN during my time as Program Director at Willow House.

I promise to honor your grief in any way that feels comfortable to you. To honor my grief, Hope Forest is named in memory of my mom who died in 2013. She planted the love of art and compassion for helping others into my soul.