So you want to know all about me? My guess is if you’re reading this blog, you’re at least a little curious and probably fall into one of three categories:

You know me as Lauren Yearego (or maybe Lauren Broihan) as a family member, friend, or even acquaintance throughout my life
You know me as Lauren Yearego…or Broihan (I’m still getting used to my married name as well) as a therapist or professional
You have no idea who I am and you just came across my website or blog in one way or another
Depending on which category you fit into, I’m sure there’s something about me you don’t know….my family and friends may know personal fun facts about my life, but don’t necessarily know me as a therapist, and those who know me as a counselor, probably don’t know much about what makes me who I am…and for those who don’t know me at all, you have a lot of catching up to do!

All that being said, regardless of the extent to which you know me, if there’s one thing I want everyone to know and remember it is this:

“Although not perfect, I make it a goal to live my life as authentically and honest as possible, whether that be with my friends, family, acquaintances or even my clients, I want people to know me for who I am.”

There’s a million things that make me, me, but I’ll try to give you the brief low down on Lauren Yearego, wife, friend, daughter and sister as well as Lauren Yearego, MA, LPC, CTP-C so hopefully you can leave here knowing that yes, I am a therapist, but I am also very much a human, just like all of you; I have highs and lows, strengths and challenges, tears and smiles, and yes I even like pizza and ice cream…and pickles (I absolutely love pickles!)

*Side note: I’m thinking I’ll break this down into two posts, one about me personally, and the next about me as a therapist so I don’t overwhelm you with everything at once. We’ll start with personal, since that’s usually a lot more fun.

Without further ado, here’s a few things that make me, me:

1) I got married a year ago….and my last name is Yearego

One of the most recent fun facts about me is I got married about a year ago in June 2018…and yes my last name is now Yearego, but with an “e” (insert all relevant puns here). I married my husband, Nick, after dating for almost 8 years! We had the most beautiful wedding in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and then enjoyed our incredible honeymoon in St. Lucia. Since then, we’ve been enjoying each other’s company, working on all the dreaded house projects, and getting used to life as a married couple.

2) I’m an Enneagram Type 1

I know a lot of people have a love-hate relationship with the Enneagram, but it’s also a super hot topic right now and probably the most popular way to describe personality types in 2019. I won’t bore you with the details, but basically, as a Type 1, I am a “Reformer;” advocating for change, constantly seeking perfection and fearing failure. Essentially, I like to do what is right and pride myself on my integrity and ethics.

If you want to know more, or want to figure out your Enneagram type, check-out this website: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions. There’s also some free tests online or apps that can help you figure out your type.

3) I am always up for an adventure

I absolutely love to explore, whether it be finding cute little gems of places around my home in the Metro-Detroit area, or traveling to different states or countries, it’s one of my favorite things to do. Visiting Western Europe is high on my bucket list, along with Napa Valley (I’m also an amateur wine-o who loves a good Cabernet Sauvignon) but if I were to be honest, my real dream vacation is to visit the Maldives. It’s a place I’ve wanted to visit ever since early Pinterest days, when I came across the glowing beaches surrounded by the most incredible blue water!

4) I am a sucker for reality TV

Reality TV is definitely my guilty pleasure, whether it be The Bachelor, Bachelorette, Survivor or American Idol (back in the day), America’s Got Talent, Temptation Island, and yes I even jumped on the Love Island train for a minute, it’s one of my favorite ways to veg-out (errr practice “self-care”). There’s something relaxing about the mindless drama of the shows that I thoroughly enjoy at the end of the day.

5) I am a dog-lover

I feel like most people fall into the dog or cat category and although I like cats…I absolutely love dogs!! I’ve always grown up with dogs (we had a Golden-Retriever/Collie mix when I was younger, and then an Australian Shepherd pictured below), and I am currently vouching (read as begging) for Nick and I to get a dog. I’m frequently dog-sitting, or watching dog videos on Instagram and Facebook, and sometimes visit friends and families for the sole purpose of getting some doggo-time in (I’m only kind of joking). I think there’s a real therapeutic benefit to having any sort of pet, and for me that would be a dog…a companion that loves unconditionally, is the perfect listener, and is always willing to please.

6) Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons

I love how mild these seasons are and how perfect they are for bonfires and roadtrips! It’s not yet too hot or too cold; there’s either flowers blooming or leaves changing colors; and they’re the perfect middle ground between the two extremes, gradually preparing you for what is to come. I love going for walks and seeing the flowers or leaves, as well as taking in all the sights, smells, tastes and feels that come with these beautiful seasons.

7) I’ve always known I wanted to work with kids

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved babies and I’ve always loved kids. Going all the way back to first grade, it was my dream to get a full-ride scholarship to Harvard University to become an elementary school teacher…I was determined! And then as life went on and reality set it, I realized it probably wasn’t the most likely thing to happen (or fiscally responsible dream to pursue), but I still planned to be a teacher throughout elementary and middle school. I began babysitting at an early age and then began nannying for several families who I absolutely adored. And then it was in my junior year of high school that I remember taking a Psychology class and falling in the love with the inner workings of the human brain and learning what makes people who they are. It was at that point that I made the determination to become a child therapist…and here I am today!

Next week, I’ll talk more about how I got to be where I am and who I am as a therapist, but I think it’s important for everyone to know I am human first and therapist second. In light of all these “fun facts,” the most important thing to know about me is that my passion and calling is to help people, in any and every capacity. It fits well into my role as a therapist, but in reality, that’s who I am as a person, inside and outside the office. I really am an open book and always tell the kids and teens I see that they can ask me anything they want. I’m still a therapist and still a professional, but I want to be as real, honest, and authentic as I can be, even in the midst of these roles. Stay tuned for next week to learn all about my life in the counseling room!

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Meet The Therapist: Lauren Yearego (Part 1)