IN PERSON IN DALLAS · ONLINE ACROSS TEXAS
Therapy in Dallas that's honest, warm, and refreshingly human
Support for anxiety, trauma, and relationship patterns, with EMDR when it helps.
Meet Lauren Petka, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Certified EMDR Therapist
My hope is that, over time, you feel more comfortable being yourself—more able to trust your feelings, speak up for what you need, and feel close to others without losing yourself. My goal isn’t just to help you cope—it’s to help you actually feel different.
I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, painful relationship experiences, trauma, grief, and life transitions. You don’t need to have a name for what you’re going through to reach out. Feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply aware that something needs to change is enough of a place to start.
If you’d like to connect, I offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation. We can talk about what’s bringing you here, what you’re hoping for, and any questions you have. You don’t need to prepare anything or find the perfect words. We can start wherever you are.
Why I do this work
A lot of people come to therapy having spent years becoming who they thought they were supposed to be: easygoing, capable, the one who doesn't need much. That works for a while, until it starts to feel like you're living a version of your life that doesn't quite fit. I do this work because I believe there's a more honest version of you underneath the adapting, and you deserve relationships and a life with room for that person.
How I work
My approach is existential- and attachment-informed. The existential side means we look at the bigger questions: what matters to you, who you are when you stop performing, and what it would take to live closer to that. The attachment side means we look at how your earliest relationships shaped the way you love, trust, and protect yourself now. When old experiences are keeping you stuck, we can use EMDR to help your body catch up with what you already know.
We'll likely work well together if…
You feel like you've lost track of who you are outside of what others need from you.
You notice the same patterns showing up in your relationships.
You want a therapist who is warm, but also honest with you.
Another therapist might be a better fit if…
You want a structured, skills-only program.
You're looking for quick advice rather than working through what's underneath.
You're currently in crisis and need more intensive support.
Therapy with me is…
01. Honest
I'll be real with you, and you don't have to perform here either.
02. Relational
Our relationship is part of the work. It's a place to practice being seen as you are.
03. Paced
We move at a speed your nervous system can handle.
04. Whole-person
We pay attention to your thoughts, your emotions, and what your body is holding.
What I help with
Authenticity & Identity
Reconnecting with who you are underneath the roles you've learned to play.
Trauma & EMDR
Processing painful experiences so they stop running the show.
Attachment & Relationship Patterns
Understanding why the same dynamics keep showing up, and building closer, steadier relationships.
Life Transitions
Finding your footing when something big shifts, whether you chose it or not.
Anxiety
Getting beneath the worry to what it's trying to protect.
Get the support that’s right for you.
50 min.
Individual therapy is a space that is fully yours. Together, we'll slow down, talk honestly about what's been hard, and make sense of the patterns that may be keeping you stuck. Whether you're navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, or a major life transition, we'll work toward helping you feel more grounded, connected, and like yourself again.
50 min.
Sometimes, even when you understand why something happened, it can still feel like your body and mind are stuck in it. EMDR is a type of therapy that helps your brain process painful or overwhelming experiences so they no longer feel as intense or continue to shape your life in the same way. We’ll move at a pace that feels safe for you and make sure you have the support you need throughout the process.
80 min.
Even strong relationships can get stuck in the same difficult conversations, disconnection, or misunderstandings. Couples counseling gives you both a space to slow down, better understand what is happening between you, and learn how to communicate in a way that feels more honest and connected. We’ll work toward building a relationship where both of you feel heard, understood, and supported.
Background & training
MA, Rehabilitation Counseling, The George Washington University
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas #90625
Certified EMDR Therapist
Clinical experience: EMDR Therapy Austin + Counterbalance Counseling
Ready to take your next step?
1. Reach out
Fill out this form and I will email you within 24 hours to schedule a consultation.
2. Consultation
We’ll chat on the phone for 15/20 minutes to get a feel for each other.
3. Get started
Begin understanding yourself better, change old patterns and connect.