Laguna alumna Megan Brown ’99 has begun working on a part-time basis as a counselor on the Hope Ranch campus.

She is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist with a B.A. from Davidson College, a M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from USC and a M.S. in Health Communication from Chapman University.

Her areas of expertise include depression, anxiety, family concerns, academic issues and relationship problems.

“I am highly experienced in working with adolescents, young adults, adults and families. I utilize my training to help clients find ongoing solutions to the difficulties that they are struggling with in life. Potential benefits of therapy include improved personal relationships, clarification of one’s personal values and goals and an improved ability to behave in new and meaningful ways,” Brown said.

“I am able to establish a positive rapport with young adults and adolescents and enjoy helping them navigate in a very exciting and often challenging time of life.”

When asked about her opinion on this new position, Sophia Fay ’18 said, “I think that would be good because teenagers have a lot going on with school, sports and social life, so it would be beneficial to have someone to talk to if you need it.”

Brown returns to Laguna after working in the Student Psychological Counseling Center at Chapman University for five years. She is now in private practice in downtown Santa Barbara.

“My therapeutic style is relationship focused. I combine a psychodynamic theoretical framework with cognitive behavioral tools to help clients meet their therapeutic goals. I focus on providing clients with a positive, nurturing, and genuine therapeutic experience.”

Brown plans to see clients in her office in the Braun House two days a week.

“What is particularly compelling for me is that, as a graduate of our school, Megan understands the environment and its expectations; she has lived the Laguna experience and has the tools to provide our students meaningful support,” Head of School Rob Hereford said.

“The demands of adolescence often require professional guidance, and the best schools make sure that they have this essential resource available to help identify and address concerns before they become unmanageable.”