Trauma Awareness for the Pelvic Therapist

Lauren received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Governors State University and a Bachelor's Degree in psychology and sociology from Northwestern University. Prior to becoming a physical therapist, Lauren counseled suicidal and homicidal SES at-risk youth who had survived sexual violence. Lauren was certified as a medical and legal advocate for sexual assault survivors in 1999 and has advocated for over 130 sexual assault survivors of all ages in the ED. Lauren's physical therapy specialty certifications include Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), Pelvic Rehabilitation Professional Certificate (PRPC), and Certified Yoga Therapist (CYT). She is a board member of Chicagoland Pelvic Floor Research Consortium, American Physical Therapy Association Section of Women's Health and Section of Oncology.

As adjunct faculty, Lauren teaches Special Topics: Pelvic Rehabilitation Physical Therapy at Governors State University. Lauren works at the University of Chicago providing pelvic rehabilitation, lymphedema, and oncological physical therapy within Therapy Services and the Center of Supportive Oncology. She treats pelvic pain, urinary incontinence, bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, lymphedema, lymph node transfer/bypass, stem cell transplant, and bowel/bladder/sexual/functional concerns of patients undergoing HIPEC (hyperthermal intraperitoneal chemotherapy). Lauren is a 2017 Fellow of the Chicago Trauma Collective. As a trauma-sensitive practitioner, her goal is to empower patients to create meaningful, healthful lifestyle changes to improve their physiology and wellness.