 Meet Lauren Wadsworth, PhD, ABPP, Clinic Founder and Director of Genesee Valley Psychology! Lauren founded GVP in 2019 with a mission to bring evidence-based treatment for OCD to Rochester in a way that was financially accessible. Since then, GVP has grown to include a comprehensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and trauma program - always guided by what the community actually needs. What makes GVP different? They specialize in conditions like OCD and Borderline Personality Disorder that are notoriously difficult to treat, and they do it with real depth and integrity. Most of their staff are psychologists and licensed mental health counselors, and they run a robust training program for those pursuing their doctorate or masters degree. Alongside GVP, Lauren also founded Meridian Practice to help therapists open and grow their own private practices, giving clients access to specialists and shortening waitlists for care across our community. Kara's big takeaway: it is at the core of GVP's values to provide evidence-based care with true integrity - a gift to those who need a treatment approach designed for exactly what they are struggling with. We loved connecting with Lauren! If you or someone you know has been searching for specialized mental health care in Rochester, GVP and Meridian are doing this work at a truly high level. We are so glad they are in our community. See full interview below! When was your business founded and what inspired its development? Genesee Valley Psychology was founded in 2019. My inspiration was to bring evidence based treatments to the area for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and in a way that was financially accessible. GVP evolved based on the needs of the clients that presented, and has developed to include a comprehensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and trauma program. Meridian Practice was added to support therapists to open and grow their private practice, give clients access to specialists, and shorten waitlists for care. How does your business support mental health and wellness in our local community? GVP and Meridian provide psychotherapy services to support community mental health by providing niche services for conditions that can be treatment resistant or lead to death without access to a specific modality. We’ve always aimed to listen to the needs of the Rochester mental health community and respond to them. What makes your business different from others that may offer similar service? We focus on a subset of conditions with specific treatment approaches, such as OCD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) that are otherwise difficult to treat. Most of our staff are psychologists and LMHC’s, and we have a robust training program offering 5-10 trainings per year for those pursuing their doctorate or masters degree. How does your own journey or life experience shape how you show up in your work? I grew up in a rural area, and it wasn’t until I attended college that I understood the range of experiences that people can have based on their social identities, like race and gender expression. Once I learned about that, I was inspired to pursue mental health training with a Scientist/Practice/Activist model which laid the foundation of prioritizing accessibility in mental health as well as adapting evidence based practices to be considerate of client identities. These experiences also shape how I show up as a leader in my organizations. Business ownership can be stressful - how do you take care of your own mental health and wellness? I find living on a farm to be extremely regulating, especially compared to living in Boston, where I did all of my professional training. Finding times to go on walks and go outside is very helpful for my mental health, as well as engaging in my own therapy. If people were to take away a feeling or message after experiencing your business, what would you want that to be? I would want them to feel like they were met where they were at and respected, and that the experience brought them peace and more alignment with their values. More information on the website - gviproc.org Comments are closed.
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