Meet The Clinical Team
* = Not currently accepting new clients
Meet The Clinical Team
* = Not currently accepting new clients
FLOURISHING
AFFINITY
COUNSELING
Lauren Krpan
LCPC, RYT, CST
She/Her Pronouns
Founder, CEO, Supervisor
AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
* Lauren is not accepting new clients *

Education:​
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University of Michigan Sexual Health Certification Program: Sex Therapy and Sex Education (2018)
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DePaul University - Masters of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2016)
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Illinois State University - Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2011)
License, Certifications & Specialized Trainings:
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Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Illinois
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AASECT Certified Sex Therapist
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Certificate in Sex Therapy and Sexuality Education from University of Michigan, School of Social Work
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Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Level 1 Clinical Training
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Registered Yoga Teacher
Areas of Specialization:
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Sex Therapy
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Sexual Dysfunction
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Pain with Sex
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Women’s Concerns
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Performance Anxiety
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Consensual Non-Monogamy and Polyamory Exploration
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My name is Lauren Krpan and I created Flourishing Affinity Counseling in the hopes to give people a space to feel safe, heard, understood, and affirmed while navigating their concerns surrounding sex, relationships, and sexuality. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who received my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from DePaul University. I completed my post graduate training in sexual health at the University of Michigan's Sex Therapy and Sexuality Education program to become a certified sex therapist and sexuality educator. I am also a registered yoga teacher and incorporate mind/body teachings to clients navigating their concerns. I am also a certified member of the American Association of Sexuality Educations, Counselors, and Therapist (AASECT)
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I believe that people deserve to live a life experiencing a fulfilling and vibrant sex life. I'm passionate for counseling from a sex-positive approach and creating an accepting space to connect with your intimate values and identity. I primarily work with people who are experiencing sexual concerns, which can include desire discrepancies, loss of intimacy, anxiety surrounding sex, as well finding more fulfillment with sex. My specialty lies in helping people navigate sexual dysfunction. Furthermore, I am passionate about helping women find relief from painful sex and working with women who have been experiencing pelvic pain. I'm a LGBTQIA+, kink, poly, and sex worker affirming therapist.
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My clinical approach to counseling is warm, understanding, and also quite challenging. While working together I will also build your skill set, provide psychoeducation surrounding your concern, as well as potentially helping you build your care team to treat sexual dysfunction from a biopsychosocial approach. I used evidence based practices pulled from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Sensate Focus Therapy to help navigate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Your therapy is unique to you and your goals. Together we will navigate and work towards growth, acceptance, empowerment, and achievement.
Nicolas Kertesz
LCPC, CRC
He/Him Pronouns
Clinical Therapist &
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Nic sees clients in-person at the Lakeview office as well as Illinois residents virtually.
Currently Accepting Clients with BCBS PPO,
out of network benefits, out of pocket, and sliding scale.
Education:​
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Masters of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling - Illinois Institute of Technology, 2022
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Bachelors of Science in Psychology - Illinois Institute of Technology, 2017
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License, Certifications & Specialized Trainings:
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Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Illinois
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Certified Gottman Method Couples Therapy: Level 1 Clinical Training
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Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)
Areas of Specialization:
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Couples Therapy
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Disability Concerns
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Life Transitions
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Mood Disorders
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Mindfulness
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Men’s Issues
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Sexual Health and Dysfunction
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Relationship and Dating Concerns
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Communication Skills
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Work-Life Balance
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My ultimate goal as a therapist is to help you be the very best version of yourself that you can be. It is my passion to help you through listening with warmth and understanding while also using evidence-based practices to bring you to growth and change. I bring a calm demeanor and non-judgemental attitude to sessions to inspire openness and honesty in order to promote an affirmative, positive environment for you to feel safe and heard in.
I help folks from a variety of backgrounds, such as veterans, new parents, BIPOC, queer and trans individuals, through maintaining a validating space and tailoring my approach to suit your specific needs. I keep an open mind and awareness of current social events to ensure I’m observing all of the nuances that come with your intersecting identities, in order to provide the best care possible.
Specifically, as a man, I encourage other men to explore and challenge their concepts of masculinity in a positive, healthy light. My biannual men’s workshop lends itself to providing clients with a safe, understanding space to open up about struggles with emotional expression, interpersonal relationships, and societal expectations, while receiving the support and validation of others with shared experiences. Additionally, I’ve helped men overcome sexual dysfunction such as anxiety around sex and erectile dysfunction. This includes men with disabilities, to which my status as a certified rehabilitation counselor lends itself.
This background as a rehabilitation counselor provides me with a unique understanding of the circumstances with which some individuals with disabilities may struggle with sexual function. Additionally, I can assist with working through the general difficulties surrounding self-esteem, finding accommodations for your home, and coping with the associated stigmas and attitudes of having a disability . This includes adapting to both congenital and acquired disabilities through providing processing, validation, and advocacy. I have experience in navigating some concerns around SSI/SSDI, and can assist in career exploration through my vocational rehabilitation experience.
I am also trained in Gottman Level One, which I combine with an emotional focused therapy approach in working with couples. Using these frameworks, I focus on providing space for all clients to find their voices, feel heard by their partner(s), and find constructive tools for overcoming relational issues. On top of this, I am kink- and poly-informed, allowing me to help clients seeking counseling for those often misunderstood areas of life.
When I’m not counseling, I'm acting, an avid gamer, a foodie, a gym enthusiast, an amateur guitarist, and a proud cat parent.
Kacie Andrews
She/Her Pronouns
Clinical Intern
Kacie sees clients in-person at the Lakeview office as well as Illinois residents virtually.​
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Currently Accepting New Clients with BCBS PPO, Out of Network Benefits, Sliding Scale.
Education:​
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DePaul University (2026) – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
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Kansas State University Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Minor in Art with Emphasison Painting (2023)​​
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License, Certifications & Specialized Trainings:
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Gottman Method Couple Therapy- Level 1 Clinical Training (2025)​
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Areas of Interest:
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Self-Esteem
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Daily Functioning
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Relationship Issues
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Coping Skills
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Identity Development
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Religious Trauma
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Attachment Wounds
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Family Dysfunction
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Ruminating thoughts

Welcome to the next steps in your personal journey! You have overcome the challenging step to seek out support through counseling. I applaud the strength and willingness it takes to commit time to working on yourself. Whether it be issues with self- esteem, daily functioning, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, or exploring your identity— my door is open for you to share your story.
As an identifying bisexual woman, I am here to listen without judgement and will work with you to create a healing environment where you feel comfortable sharing about what in life has been weighing on you. We all carry a unique story and through therapy I hope to encourage you to share this story with me through building a trusting relationship together. I work from a person-
centered and strength- based approach as well as utilizing elements of narrative therapy. I am here to uplift, support, encourage, and challenge you to find congruence in
your life.
In addition to individual therapy, I encourage working with couples who are exploring their relationship styles, seeking improvement in their communication skills, and wanting to work to discover their overall relationship goals by coming to session.
I am certified in the Level 1 Clinical Training of the Gottman Method Couples Therapy and implement this in my work with couples to explore relationship patterns and how to
improve our sense of understanding one another. I am currently working towards my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at DePaul University. I am an intern in training at Flourishing Affinity Counseling under the supervision of Lauren Krpan.
I am originally from Wichita, Kansas. Outside of working towards my degree I am passionate about expressing creativity, painting,
exercising, cooking, exploring the city, and time with loved ones, and a beloved cat mom to two fur babies.