Lauren Tetenbaum, Founder of LAT Counseling
Name: Lauren Tetenbaum
Founder: LAT Counseling
Who is Lauren Tetenbaum?
Lauren A. Tetenbaum, LMSW, JD, PMH-C is an advocate and therapist certified in perinatal mental health and Eve Rodsky's Fair Play method who specializes in supporting millennial and young women. With an approach grounded in empathy and emotional intelligence, Lauren counsels clients on relationships, career choices, pregnancy and parenting, anxiety, and family dynamics. A mother of two with over a decade of experience in the legal industry including as an immigration attorney, Lauren also facilitates groups and provides consulting and mental health coaching to support parents in corporate settings. She is passionate about building connections and giving back to her community, including in her town near her native New York City.
In less than three sentences tell us about your company and what you do.
I provide cognitive behavioral and feminist therapy to women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, lead psychoeducational support groups for postpartum women and working parents, frequently write and speak on working motherhood and postpartum mental health, and offer coaching to women re-entering the workforce or considering career transitions. In partnership with Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine media company, I also train executives and other mental health providers in the Fair Play method designed to alleviate the maternal mental load and enhance gender equity in the home and ultimately at work and in society.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
It means living your life authentically and according to your values, supporting other women and girls, and using your privilege to speak up even when it's scary. It means leading with empathy and kindness and creating a better society for the next generation. It means advocating for yourself and others.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
I support women in business and various industries by being a resource for positive mental health and a guide when working in a world not made for them can feel overwhelming. I frequently collaborate with other female founders on events where I always also include a charitable component to help less fortunate women; for example, I've hosted events at the women's brand Veronica Beard (at stores in NYC & Greenwich, CT) alongside other women in business/female founders in fashion and finance where we raised funds for my charities of choice (The Mom Project and Moms for Moms NYC). In a few weeks I'm collaborating with a speech pathologist, yoga instructor, and small business owner -- all female founders in my town -- to host an event to build a network and referral source for other female support service providers in our area. I am constantly cheering on my friends, clients, and other contacts to help them feel supported and empowered. You can catch me next week as a keynote speaker at The Mom Project's virtual Comeback Summit!
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
I left my law firm job (a role I had at one point considered my dream job) in March 2021, a year after COVID started and a few months into looking into how I could transition into social work full-time. I remember looking at my husband and saying, "I could really do this," and I never looked back. While in many ways I'm one of the millions of women/moms pushed out of the workforce during the pandemic, I wouldn't change a thing about my nonlinear career path and I am proud of myself for always being true to myself. In 2022 I earned more than I have ever earned, all while doing work I truly enjoyed and all on my own terms. I knew the timing was right not only by crunching numbers but also really listening to my inner voice. I have never compromised my values, including prioritizing my family AND my ambition when it was being silenced. I've discussed my career pivot more here: https://reclaimyourcareer.medium.com/why-so-many-women-are-pivoting-during-the-global-pandemiccbfe3d37cf36 and here: https://formerlawyer.com/2021/11/08/pursuing-mental-health-after-leaving-thelegal-profession/ .
How did you land your first client?
I put myself out there to friends, social media, and former colleagues. As my business is really about ME - my genuine and authentic ability to care and support other women - I have always been honest, direct, and proud of my work. The first client I landed was for a support group for working moms during early 2021; like most parents at this time, I was feeling isolated and burned out. I craved community and connection. I knew others would too. Leading that group (and the dozens I've led since, connecting with hundreds of clients through them plus individual counseling) was just as inspirational and empowering to me as it was for the clients. I am so grateful I get to do the work that I do.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
Don't second guess yourself! No one knows what they are doing :)
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