Meet Our Administrative Team
Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-C
Founder & CEO
Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-C, is the Founder and CEO of Matrescence Therapy, a virtual group practice dedicated to supporting women and parents through every stage of reproductive and maternal mental health. Lauren leads the practice with a mission to make high-quality, evidence-based mental health care more accessible to women navigating fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, and midlife transitions.
Lauren’s passion for this work is both professional and deeply personal. Like many women, she discovered that motherhood was far more complex than she had anticipated. Alongside immense joy came anxiety, identity shifts, grief, overwhelm, and the pressure to meet impossible expectations. After experiencing postpartum mental health issues herself, she became even more committed to changing how we talk about maternal mental health and ensuring that women never have to struggle alone.
Before founding Matrescence Therapy, Lauren spent over twelve years working with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, medical illness, and major life transitions. At Northwestern Medicine, she specialized in women’s mental health, coordinating care and providing therapy within a nationally recognized perinatal program. Working alongside OB-GYNs, perinatal psychiatrists, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams reinforced her belief that mental health deserves to be an integral part of women’s healthcare.
Lauren is also a speaker, educator, and advocate who enjoys helping individuals, healthcare professionals, and organizations better understand the emotional realities of motherhood, parenting, identity transitions, and women’s mental health. Her goal is to normalize these conversations, reduce stigma, and ensure that no woman feels she has to navigate life’s biggest transitions without support.
Lauren’s passion for this work is both professional and deeply personal. Like many women, she discovered that motherhood was far more complex than she had anticipated. Alongside immense joy came anxiety, identity shifts, grief, overwhelm, and the pressure to meet impossible expectations. After experiencing postpartum mental health issues herself, she became even more committed to changing how we talk about maternal mental health and ensuring that women never have to struggle alone.
Before founding Matrescence Therapy, Lauren spent over twelve years working with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, medical illness, and major life transitions. At Northwestern Medicine, she specialized in women’s mental health, coordinating care and providing therapy within a nationally recognized perinatal program. Working alongside OB-GYNs, perinatal psychiatrists, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams reinforced her belief that mental health deserves to be an integral part of women’s healthcare.
Lauren is also a speaker, educator, and advocate who enjoys helping individuals, healthcare professionals, and organizations better understand the emotional realities of motherhood, parenting, identity transitions, and women’s mental health. Her goal is to normalize these conversations, reduce stigma, and ensure that no woman feels she has to navigate life’s biggest transitions without support.
Arushi Mehta Towne, LCSW
Clinical Director & Therapist
Being a mother is my most important role, and a close second is my dedication to supporting women through the many transitions of womanhood and motherhood. My passion is shaped by both professional training and lived experience, including IVF survivorship, miscarriage, an unexpected NICU stay, a challenging postpartum period, and raising two elementary-aged children.
I bring a deep understanding of the emotional, physical, and identity shifts that accompany pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, perimenopause, and menopause. My clinical work also includes supporting women navigating complex maternal relationships and early attachment experiences shaped by past trauma, which have deeply informed my therapeutic approach.
I also recognize that many of us are balancing expectations for what life “should” look like with the realities of consistently evolving roles, responsibilities, and a changing world. Supporting clients in setting realistic, flexible goals amidst this ongoing evolution is a central part of my work.
As a first-generation Indian American woman, I understand the complexities of balancing cultural expectations within Western systems. My work is grounded in compassion, insight, and practical tools that support healing, growth, and self-trust. If you are seeking support during a time of transition, I would be honored to walk alongside you.
I bring a deep understanding of the emotional, physical, and identity shifts that accompany pregnancy, postpartum, parenting, perimenopause, and menopause. My clinical work also includes supporting women navigating complex maternal relationships and early attachment experiences shaped by past trauma, which have deeply informed my therapeutic approach.
I also recognize that many of us are balancing expectations for what life “should” look like with the realities of consistently evolving roles, responsibilities, and a changing world. Supporting clients in setting realistic, flexible goals amidst this ongoing evolution is a central part of my work.
As a first-generation Indian American woman, I understand the complexities of balancing cultural expectations within Western systems. My work is grounded in compassion, insight, and practical tools that support healing, growth, and self-trust. If you are seeking support during a time of transition, I would be honored to walk alongside you.
Mindy McGlynn, LCSW, PMH-C
Clinical Lead & Therapist
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified in perinatal mental health. I am also a mother of two who has seen first hand the rollercoaster of emotions this unique time of life can evoke. While becoming a parent is usually portrayed as happy and exciting, it is rarely just that – it often coincides with complicated feelings of anxiety, grief, depression, just to name a few. I am honored to sit with parents as they unpack all of these emotions in a safe space.
As someone who experienced fertility challenges, I understand how challenging and emotional the road to becoming a parent can be. My personal experience has provided insight and understanding that sometimes the journey to a positive test can feel incredibly hard and isolating. While everyone’s story is different, I hope my experience provides a sense of comfort that nobody has to travel this road alone.
I came to this work after spending 13 years in medical social work, often with new moms and survivors of trauma in the inpatient setting. I have many years of experience as a therapist, using an eclectic approach including but not limited to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Strengths Based Therapy. I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of the individual. I am experienced in postpartum depression and anxiety, fertility challenges, birth trauma, and grief/loss. I have worked with adults with ADHD, and understand the unique challenges this diagnosis can bring to parenting.
Becoming a mom shaped the clinician I am today, creating a passion for supporting parents through this amazing and challenging time. Wherever you are on your journey, know all your feelings along the way are valid and you are not alone.
As someone who experienced fertility challenges, I understand how challenging and emotional the road to becoming a parent can be. My personal experience has provided insight and understanding that sometimes the journey to a positive test can feel incredibly hard and isolating. While everyone’s story is different, I hope my experience provides a sense of comfort that nobody has to travel this road alone.
I came to this work after spending 13 years in medical social work, often with new moms and survivors of trauma in the inpatient setting. I have many years of experience as a therapist, using an eclectic approach including but not limited to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Strengths Based Therapy. I tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of the individual. I am experienced in postpartum depression and anxiety, fertility challenges, birth trauma, and grief/loss. I have worked with adults with ADHD, and understand the unique challenges this diagnosis can bring to parenting.
Becoming a mom shaped the clinician I am today, creating a passion for supporting parents through this amazing and challenging time. Wherever you are on your journey, know all your feelings along the way are valid and you are not alone.
Gabbie Adams, LCSW, PMH-C
Equity & Access Coordinator and Therapist
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, certified perinatal therapist, and mother. I am passionate about working with women as they navigate life transitions surrounding pregnancy and motherhood. While these seasons of life are so incredibly special, they can also be some of the most challenging times. I recognize that this process often brings feelings of insecurity, grief, lack of identity, and reduced self-esteem. As a mother of twins and someone that has experienced pregnancy loss, I can relate to the complex challenges that arise when experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, navigating the NICU, postpartum anxiety therapist, and adjusting to parenthood.
Much of my background has been in healthcare, where I’ve focused specifically on crisis intervention and perinatal mental health. I’ve worked with parents who have a variety of stressors including domestic violence, substance use, unplanned pregnancy, premature delivery, birth trauma, and infant loss/termination. These experiences have also contributed to my love for helping clients navigate intimacy and relationship challenges that emerge during these seasons of life.
Throughout my career, I have completed training in perinatal mood disorders, trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and sexual abuse. I believe in taking a holistic approach to therapy and using a combination of therapy techniques individualized to each person. I am an open-minded and inclusive person who would love to meet you wherever you are in this crazy journey of parenthood. If you are looking for a postpartum depression, birth trauma, premature delivery, or postpartum anxiety therapist, we may be the right fit. Contact us to get started, today!
Much of my background has been in healthcare, where I’ve focused specifically on crisis intervention and perinatal mental health. I’ve worked with parents who have a variety of stressors including domestic violence, substance use, unplanned pregnancy, premature delivery, birth trauma, and infant loss/termination. These experiences have also contributed to my love for helping clients navigate intimacy and relationship challenges that emerge during these seasons of life.
Throughout my career, I have completed training in perinatal mood disorders, trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and sexual abuse. I believe in taking a holistic approach to therapy and using a combination of therapy techniques individualized to each person. I am an open-minded and inclusive person who would love to meet you wherever you are in this crazy journey of parenthood. If you are looking for a postpartum depression, birth trauma, premature delivery, or postpartum anxiety therapist, we may be the right fit. Contact us to get started, today!
Amanda Opoka
Certified Prenatal and Birth Doula
As Matrescence Therapy’s Virtual Doula, I provide evidence-based education, compassionate emotional support, and personalized guidance to help you feel informed, prepared, and confident throughout pregnancy and birth. Whether you’re creating a birth plan, preparing for labor, navigating medical decisions, or simply looking for reassurance along the way, I’m here to help you feel supported every step of your journey.
My role is designed to complement—not replace—your medical team and therapist by providing education, birth preparation, and continuous emotional support as you prepare to welcome your baby. I strive to make the pregnancy and birth experience feel more manageable, empowering you to make informed decisions with confidence and peace of mind.
It is truly an honor to walk alongside families during such a transformative season of life, and I look forward to helping you approach birth feeling educated, supported, and empowered.
My role is designed to complement—not replace—your medical team and therapist by providing education, birth preparation, and continuous emotional support as you prepare to welcome your baby. I strive to make the pregnancy and birth experience feel more manageable, empowering you to make informed decisions with confidence and peace of mind.
It is truly an honor to walk alongside families during such a transformative season of life, and I look forward to helping you approach birth feeling educated, supported, and empowered.
Caitlin Timmins
Intake Coordinator
I’m the Intake Coordinator here at Matrescence Therapy. Currently, I’m immersed in my psychology degree with a clear goal of specializing as a sex therapist with an emphasis on somatics, exploring the relationship between the mind and body. I am passionate about guiding women through various aspects of self-discovery and reclamation. I hold a deep reverence for motherhood, recognizing its profound significance in women’s lives.
Outside of work and studies, I enjoy cooking, seeing live music, spending time with family, and connecting with nature. My goal is to support the holistic well-being of our clients while honoring the sacred journey of motherhood.
Outside of work and studies, I enjoy cooking, seeing live music, spending time with family, and connecting with nature. My goal is to support the holistic well-being of our clients while honoring the sacred journey of motherhood.
MATRESCENCE THERAPY
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Phone number: 224-999-0591
Virtual Sessions Throughout Chicagoland, Illinois, Indiana, & Texas
*This is a virtual practice.
All sessions are held through video. You must be residing in Illinois, Indiana, or Texas.