We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Tetenbaum a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lauren thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I’ve taken a few risks throughout my career, and I’ve never looked back. I started law school right after college in my early 20s because I wanted to advocate for women, and I loved writing; so, I thought being a lawyer would be a good career for me. I immediately sensed that it wasn’t, and took a risk by taking a leave of absence from my law school to pursue my Master’s in Social Work. Getting a more comprehensive education on how to best support people at their most vulnerable was the right choice for me. I ultimately returned to law school and completed both degrees within four years and then spent a decade in the legal industry, practicing through a compassionate lens that was honed from my studies in mental health. I was an immigration attorney at a prestigious firm when I became a mom, and I took a risk to stop practicing so I would no longer have to worry about billable hours and have more time with my family. I then worked in legal personnel roles for several years, supporting the professional development of other young attorneys and attorney parents in addition to managing pro bono programs. Then I took another, and potentially the biggest risk to date, by leaving corporate life to start my own counseling practice. I never thought I’d be an entrepreneur, but I’ve never been happier, more fulfilled, or more successful in all the ways that matter to me. I also took a risk by taking an opportunity to write my first book, a huge dream of mine since I was a child but one that never felt right until now. It felt risky to lean into taking time and energy to write a book, and it felt risky to put my thoughts and feelings out there in writing, but working on “Millennial Menopause” has been incredibly rewarding. Taking risks is scary, but life is too short to not pursue your passions or live (and work) according to your values.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a clinical social worker (licensed to provide psychotherapy in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida), a former lawyer, a writer (my book, “Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life’s Next Period,” is now available for pre-order), and a mom of two young kids. Through my counseling practice, I provide cognitive behavioral therapy through a feminist approach to women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. I specialize in supporting women through life transitions, including the perinatal and perimenopausal phases. I also offer career coaching for women seeking to re-enter the paid workforce after a pause or those returning to work after parental leave. In addition to the counseling I provide, I advocate for women’s rights and wellness by providing thought leadership on issues like gender equity, maternal mental health, working parenthood, and women’s reproductive health. I regularly contribute to media as an expert on these topics, appearing on numerous podcasts and writing articles for magazines and blogs myself. My first book focuses on perimenopause, the life stage millennials are now in yet know very little about – and what we can do about that. One of my favorite parts of my work is connecting with other women through speaking engagements, networking events, and corporate workshops. While researching for my book, I connected with hundreds of women including four dozen women’s health experts to talk about life at midlife — it’s been amazing to turn those connections into my forthcoming book that I’m sure will continue to build connections among women. It’s my pleasure and privilege to counsel women when they need support most, and to help create the supportive community we all deserve.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I think about this often, since I am not currently working in the profession I sought out upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with my BA. The answer is that I would maybe choose my same path but in different, more thoughtful ways. For example, I chose to go to a law school that wasn’t the best I got into because I wasn’t concerned about prestige, but I would tell that younger version of myself to do a little more research into job markets (though, to be fair, I finished school in a recession) and into what being a lawyer is really like. Ultimately, if I could go back in time, I would still attend law school and work as a lawyer the way I did, though it seems obvious now that I am meant to be a social worker. My background helps me connect with the law students and lawyers that are my therapy clients, as they know I really understand the stressors they are navigating. Law firms that hire me for workshops or speaking engagements also appreciate that I have a legal background. The main thing I would change if I could go back is the way I talked to myself – there was a lot of anxiety (most therapists tend to be anxious!) around whether I was making the right choices, if I wasn’t good enough, etc. I would be nicer to myself – self-compassion is the most amazing tool and everyone deserves it. As a social worker, I can be an advocate for women the way I always thought I’d be; and, I can provide clinical counseling to women who really need support and connection. I also have been able to write, my original dream job. My professional path wasn’t linear, but every twist and turn helped make my career what it is today.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Connection is necessary to succeed, as a social worker and in general. I have always been emotionally intelligent and empathetic and I feel very fortunate that my work is built upon these innate skills, the use of which brings me a lot of genuine joy. I love connecting with my clients, hearing their stories and providing the objective guidance they need. I love connecting with the postpartum women in the mom groups I facilitate and I love facilitating the connection they have with each other. I love connecting with other professionals who work in related feels, like nutritionists, OB/GYNs, yoga instructors, and others – we are really in community to make our clients’ lives less stressful. I love connecting with other women at various phases of their careers through the networking and educational events I host and get to attend in my socially robust community. Everyone has something to offer, lessons to teach – I love learning and enjoy connecting with others to gain knowledge and insight only they can impart. Mental health providers who are open to authentic connection, in various ways, will be the most successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thecounselaur.com
• Instagram: @thecounselaur (https://www.instagram.com/thecounselaur/)
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenatetenbaum/

Image Credits

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