Lauren Zurender, PhD
Psychologist
Lauren Zurenda, Ph.D. is a Psychologist (Clinical, Child & Family Subspecialty) who works with children, adolescents, young adults, and caregivers. She has a deep respect for the hard work that is growing up, and believes young people can be known most fully – and cared for most effectively - in the context of their development, relationships, and environments. She approaches families with warmth and curiosity, and prides herself on being a careful listener, thoughtful collaborator, and nimble clinician.
Dr. Zurenda is trained as a scientist-practitioner, and credits her academic medical center background with holding her to a high standard for evidence-based practice and pragmatic interdisciplinary care. Upon graduating from the State University of New York at Geneseo, she worked at The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, conducting research related to the management of chronic medical conditions, and teaching at a therapeutic preschool for children with emotional and behavioral challenges that interfered with their participation in traditional classroom settings. After serving in a variety of clinical, research, and teaching roles across a range of inpatient, outpatient, school, and university settings, she earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Loyola University Chicago. She went on to complete an APA-accredited internship at the State University of New York Upstate Medical University, followed by an APA-accredited postdoctoral fellowship (LEAH, Leadership Education in Adolescent Health) at the University of Rochester Medical Center. These opportunities provided Dr. Zurenda with advanced clinical training in comprehensive psychological assessment (cognitive, academic, and personality) and evidence-based intervention (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children with depression and anxiety, individual and multifamily Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for adolescents whose emotion dysregulation places them at risk for self-harm or suicidal behavior).
Dr. Zurenda views behavior as functional, and believes understanding its purpose – whether through formal psychological assessment or evidence-based intervention - is essential for therapeutic change. While her primary work addresses change at the individual and family levels, she considers it a mandate to advocate for systemic change within those structures meant to support and serve young people. Toward that end, she collaborates with local organizations committed to making research-based literacy instruction available through public schools.
Dr. Zurenda thinks families are cared for most effectively when professionals work together, and is thrilled to be joining the team at 3-C Family Services. She returns to clinical practice with a renewed appreciation for the joys and sorrows that come with being human, and raising humans.
