Finding Solutions to Get Unstuck and
Move Forward
About Me
Hello! I'm Grace. I'm happy you're here!
I love working with people struggling with “Adulting" more specifically, people with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (formerly called Asperger’s Syndrome) and ADHD. I enjoy working with anyone motivated to change, and who is struggling with depression, anxiety, motivation, managing relationships, sense of identity, self-management, communication and/or emotional regulation. I'd love to help anyone who wants to function in a way that feels better, and also learn to accept themselves in the process.
A bit about my background; I grew up and attended school in Rancho Cordova, then Folsom. I earned my Bachelor's Degree from CSUS and my Master's Degree from the University of San Francisco.
I have a passion for guiding adults and adolescents who have a variety of mental health needs and neurodivergence. Growing up with, and working with children and young adults with varying neurotypes, developmental, and learning disabilities taught me invaluable lessons in empathy and patience. It also taught me the importance of looking beyond first impressions and avoiding assumptions about others.
I think teaching someone to fish is much more helpful than giving them a fish, which is a driving philosophy in my therapeutic work. I strive to empower people to find solutions to their problems and feel confident in doing so. Agency is everything! I am empathetic and compassionate, while highly valuing candor and humor and their role in the therapeutic relationship. I love to apply my knowledge and lived experience to help people live more fulfilling and mentally peaceful lives.
Specializing in:
Anxiety
Our brains are excellent at keeping us alive, not so great at keeping us happy. Anxiety is that pesky byproduct of our fight or flight system that can wreak havoc on our happiness. Anxiety can also severely impact work, school, relationships and even physical health.
Depression
Depression is different than just feeling sad. Unless you’ve experienced it, its difficult to understand what it’s like. It can be hard to talk to friends or family about depression, because there is a fear that being honest might scare them or burden them.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
You may have heard that "Talk therapy doesn't work for Autism", this is something that I hear way too often, and it is not true! First of all, There's a big difference between "cure"and "help". Yes, it is true that nothing can cure Autism Spectrum Disorder, but that doesn't mean nothing can improve the lives of those living with and around it.
EMDR
EMDR or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, can be helpful for "Big T" and "Little t" Trauma, it encourages the client to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories.
School and Work Issues
Trust me, it's completely normal to feel frustrated, insecure, inadequate, depressed, apathetic, or angry about school or work, and although its "normal" to feel these things, wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to? If you have trouble focusing, getting tasks done on time, getting to class or work on time you are not alone. If you are someone who identifies as a "Reluctant Manager" you are in the right place.
"Adulting"
“Cant. Adult. Today” am I right? Turns out you don't have to feel like an adult to act like one. “Adulting” means doing the responsible behavior required of an adult, and it sort of sucks, but it doesn't have to be so hard.
Contact Me
Grace Lagerstrom, LMFT
call or text:
(530)507-8388
email:
(I will typically respond within 2 days during business hours)
For any questions you have, to schedule an initial phone consultation, or appointment
you can also reach me by submitting here: