Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Schuller.
Hi Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Dallas and left to attend the University of Texas at Austin after graduating from Hillcrest High School. I spent my 20s trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. College was a time of self-exploration, multiple major changes, developing my identity, and finding purpose and meaning. It was in undergrad that I had the epiphany: I wanted to teach! This tapped into my love for children, my nurturing instinct, and my commitment to making a difference in the world. Problem solved. I would be a teacher forever.
Of course, once I began teaching middle school math, I quickly realized I cared more about the relational component and teaching life skills than I cared about teaching numbers. I started a Masters in Professional School Counseling and worked as an elementary school counselor while still in grad school. I loved the job but learned I was most passionate about individual and group counseling, so I decided to narrow my scope and become a therapist.
I became an LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) and worked with opioid addicts at a methadone clinic in Fort Worth while on my way to becoming an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). I absolutely loved it! I discovered working with addicts is a complex, rewarding endeavor that matters to me. I have a knack for it, too. I went on to work at an addictions treatment center in Dallas before transitioning to a group practice, where I treated a much wider range of conditions. Things really took off for me at the group practice, and I was inspired to start a practice of my own.
I launched Schuller Counseling in May of 2026. I still focus on trauma and addictions and enjoy doing the deeper work with clients. Though I know life is an ongoing journey, I feel like I have arrived. I am doing exactly what I want to do and am aligned and in sync with my purpose and skillset. Fortunately, my practice got off to a great start, and it is already beginning to grow. I have a beautiful office in Uptown and am honored to be able to serve my community in this capacity.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, opening my counseling practice has been one of the scariest and greatest growing experiences of my life. With no background in business, I was initially concerned about the logistics of starting my practice. I was shocked to find the hardest part would be the mental and emotional challenges I would face. I was confronted with myself in ways I never could have imagined, with every fear, insecurity, and vulnerability within me being unearthed. Thank goodness I had my own therapist throughout this process. (Yes, therapists need therapists, too!)
I am so grateful for the personal growth that came from this experience. The early success has been humbling and overwhelming. I am learning to walk in faith and trust that the universe will provide when I am aligned with my purpose and continue to do the next right thing. Lately, the theme in my life has been that the right thing to do is usually the hard and scary thing. I was terrified to start this practice and be entirely financially dependent upon its success. I am so glad I took this chance though, and I would do it again. Betting on myself has paid off.
As you know, we’re big fans of Schuller Counseling. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am the founder and sole therapist of Schuller Counseling, a private practice offering therapy to adults in-person in Dallas and virtually across Texas. I specialize in trauma and addiction and mostly work with alcoholics, drug addicts, sex addicts, and the highly traumatized. I also treat a variety of other difficulties and disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, grief, and significant life transitions.
I utilize both talk therapy and somatic (body-based) modalities, so clients get true healing from trauma and address issues at their root. I pride myself on continuing to grow as a professional and am always pursuing additional education and certifications. I am certified in Brainspotting, one of the most efficient and effective trauma therapies available, and I am currently an ASAT-Candidate pursuing my CSAT (Certified Sex Addiction Therapist) certification. I plan to become EMDR trained as well.
I tend to attract clients who have previously done therapy and made some progress but are now ready for deeper work. I embrace the exploration of people’s deepest, darkest parts and help them reconcile and make peace with themselves and others. I have a keen ability to identify patterns, expose blind spots, and help clients confront themselves. Clients often tell me they come to know themselves much better as a result of doing therapy with me and that they find our work transformative. People come to me to heal, grow, and change, and it is my pleasure to be a part of this process.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
People have no idea what I have been through, how much life experience I have, how far I have come, and how hard and messy it was to get here. I rarely self-disclose with clients and maintain very firm boundaries, so they never know just how much I can relate to them. When I do share my whole story, people are usually surprised by it.
When I first started working at the methadone clinic, I was met with some skepticism and resistance from clients. I was judged by my appearance and the way I carried myself, with clients believing my polished look meant I had limited life experience and could not possibly understand or help them. That quickly changed within a session or two, and I was able to establish strong rapport and do great work with these clients.
Like many others who choose this profession, I have had my own challenges and done the work to overcome them. My qualifications for the therapist role extend far beyond the Masters degree. I know people’s pain, I understand their complexity, I believe the unbelievable, and I know the way forward–because I have been there and done it myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.schullercounseling.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/schuller-counseling
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SchullerCounseling
