Lauren Ziyaaein
Practicum Student, M.A.
Meet Lauren Ziyaaein, M.A., a therapist-in-training and a doctoral student pursuing her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School. Lauren works under the direct supervision of seasoned professionals, Azeen Nafisi, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist #PSY34508 and Neda Safvati, Psy.D. #PSY25346.
Lauren began her clinical journey in an Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Program (IOP/PHP) for adolescents, where she supported teens ages 12–18 and their families through both in-person and Telehealth sessions. She has experience working with clients from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and gender-identity backgrounds on challenges such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, neurodivergence, and major life transitions. In addition to individual therapy, she has facilitated group therapy sessions designed to build coping skills and strengthen peer connection.
Drawing from a multidisciplinary approach, Lauren integrates evidence-based strategies within a collaborative, person-centered framework. She strives to create a safe, affirming environment where clients can explore their identities, cultivate resilience, and develop effective coping tools. She often incorporates mindfulness and body-based practices to support regulation of the nervous system and reduce distress.
As a second-generation Persian Moroccan American, Lauren is deeply committed to reducing stigma around mental health and increasing access to care in diverse communities. She is especially passionate about empowering clients to embrace their identities, achieve personal goals, and enhance their overall quality of life. Alongside her clinical training, Lauren is developing her doctoral dissertation exploring the intersections of Jewish identity, gender identity, and birth order—and their influence on individual identity and life satisfaction.