We specialize in working with clients who have had unsuccessful therapy experiences in the past where they felt like something was missing, or their primary issue did not truly resolve. While we would love to work with every person needing care, we are limited by man power and resources. That's why LK Institute trains therapists from all over the nation to use EMDR Therapy for those suffering with PTSD, Addiction, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Self-Harm, Dissociation, Grief and relational difficulties.
Finding freedom is Truly Possible
LK Institute has the mission of offering exceptional care to those struggling with complex and difficult issues. Our belief in the power of EMDR Therapy has been the foundation from which we developed our premise that finding freedom is TRULY possible.
About Us
After years of working with complex cases, many of us felt that the best resources we had as therapists were merely attempts at symptom reduction. It was through our experiences with EMDR Psychotherapy that we began to witness the life changing breath that is available for so many.
The reward of journeying with those who have found lasting peace prompted our dedication to provide the best specialized therapeutic services, including the investment our company has made to train every therapist at LK Institute as an EMDRIA Approved EMDR Psychotherapist.
More than symptom management
EMDR Psychotherapy was developed by Francine Shapiro and is currently the most empirically supported trauma therapy with copious research illuminating the efficacy of it. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) was originally used primarily for treating psychological effects related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. With continued research, it has been discovered to successfully treat a variety of complex issues.
The theory informing EMDR relies on the neurobiological tenant that are experiences inform the way we feel about ourselves, others and our world. When painful experiences are not fully processed in the brain, we can feel stuck and find ourselves in recurring painful patterns. EMDR activates the part of the brain that is responsible for problem solving and reprocesses painful experience while decreasing the negative emotions and thoughts associated with them.
Our treatment approach operates from the belief that our abnormal behaviors, thoughts and feelings are an appropriate reaction to painful experiences. EMDR helps to clean out and clear out the painful experiences that cause problems in our current life.
What Is EMDR Psychotherapy?
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"When I came to LK Institute I was having panic attacks nearly every day and did not realize it, but was suffering with OCD-related intrusive thoughts. I felt like I was going crazy and no one could help me. I attended therapy before that taught me skills to use when I was having panic attacks-which helped-but did not actually make the panic attacks stop. I did not want to become dependent on medication. I worked with the team at LK Institute and stopped having panic attacks in just a few months…never to return. EMDR saved my life and honestly, gave me a life I did not know was possible. I am forever grateful. "
"EMDR saved my life and honestly, gave me a life I did not know was possible"
My therapist referred me to LK Institute after I had been seeing her for a year and made no progress. I was unable to get out of bed, was on disability no longer working, and was in the deepest pit of depression that I never imagined would be my life. I worked with Lauren and she utilized EMDR often. I am a walking miracle. When my therapy ended with her I was able to return to the workforce and found a job I love. I have friends, cook, clean, play with my grandkids and truly got my life back. I believe that I would have been dead by now if it had not been for my therapist and her approach to treating me.
"I am a walking miracle"
I had developed an eating disorder in what seemed like overnight. I was incredibly anxious, afraid to eat and was overall riddled with emotional torment. My mom brought me to LK Institute and I immediately felt that my therapist was hearing me. She did not see me as just a case to fit in the textbook. She was an eating disorder expert and amazingly identified what was actually going on underneath the eating disorder, which had nothing to do with food. She used EMDR to treat the real problem and I was in remission in a matter of months. My experience did not match what I had read online that indicated Eating Disorder recovery was a lifelong treatment and ailment where true relief was not possible. I no longer need the eating disorder, and I love myself in a way I did not know was an option.
"My therapist was hearing me. She did not see me as just a case to fit in the textbook."
"You saved my life Lauren, you gave me the tools to succeed and I am forever grateful. I am living proof that your practices work. We both know I would've been in jail or a junkie if it weren't for you. With the tools that you and Ashley have given me - I want to help others."
"I would've been in jail or a junkie if it weren't for you [LK Institute]"
"The best thing that ever happened to me was coming to LK Institute. I had been in therapy for two years and seemed to be getting worse. My therapist recognized that the treatment I had been previously engaging in at a different practice was possibly making me worse. She used a totally different approach and I started improving relatively quickly. At the six month mark, it was clear to us both that I no longer needed therapy. I was unable to leave my house for years because of panic attacks, OCD and agoraphobia. Two months after treatment was over, I went on a cross country road trip-something I never dreamed I would be able to do again.
" I was unable to leave my house for years... Two months after treatment was over, I went on a cross country road trip"
When I came to LK Institute I hated myself. I thought I was worthless and had so much shame from the decisions I had made. EMDR changed me. I am confident and am able to stop sabotaging myself. I am at peace for the first time.
"I am at peace for the first time"
"I did not know that I had a dissociative disorder and so many therapists had been unable to help me. They told me I was, “too much” or must not want to get better. I could not explain my pain or the way I experienced my emotions take over and turn me into someone I wasn’t. The team at LK Institute was finally able to identify the real issue and then treat it. I never knew that people experienced calm inside, and now I do. I no longer experience take-overs and I am at rest inside. You saved my life. "
"So many therapists had been unable to help me...I no longer experience take-overs and I am at rest inside. [LK Institute] saved my life."
-Viktor Frankl
"An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is completely normal"
Dr. Lauren Kiser, the CEO and founder of LK Institute, has used her years of experience in various treatment settings to learn what is effective and what is not in the therapeutic arena. She is a firm believer that therapy is not merely about coping, but about getting to the root of the issue. As a result of dealing with the core issues that we each have, our symptoms by default begin to shift as our inner peace, self-esteem, and internal freedom become the primary condition. Lauren is known for treating complex cases and many therapists across the nation pursue the opportunity to study under her knowledge base to find solutions for problems that might seem unsolvable.
Meet Our Owner, Lauren
The practice was growing quicker than expected and Aaron, Lauren’s husband, decided to quit his full time job (with all of its stability and financial support) to invest in making the dream of LK Institute a success. A month later, Lauren left the corporate world herself with the passion and dream of teaching and equipping therapists to help clients heal by replicating the success I had found with client treatment
June 2018
LK Institute hosted its first public EMDR Basic Training with 5 participants. Lauren still has a relationship with all of those participants today.
May 2018
Lauren hosted her first Basic Training open by invitation only in her own home. The next month, Lauren rented a TINY office space (literally the couch touched each wall) to start her private practice and found an itty bitty meeting room to host the first public EMDR BasicTraining. Lauren begged the Landlord to let her sign a 6 month lease because her savings account could not afford longer than that if the practice was not successful.
March 2018
Lauren and Aaron rented their first (TINY!) office in Flagstaff. Lauren and fellow LK Institute therapist Ann began seeing clients out of this office and both commuted from Phoenix to Flagstaff.
September 2020
Three different therapists had approached Lauren requesting to practice under her supervision and methods and became employees of LK Institute- something Lauren never initially planned on doing.
October 2018
LK signed a leased for its own office to hold more space for training. Aaron and Lauren had to list their house and vehicles as collateral if they were not able to pay the rent. But, they were determined to give it all they had and risk everything. This office space only permitted 10 participants to attend, but had a couple of office spaces. They pulled many all nighters to get the space ready for its second public EMDR Basic Training which consisted of 6 participants.
August 2018
LK Institute has a team of 13 professionals, and has provided counseling services to over 1700 clients. Lauren has personally trained over a thousand therapists to better help treat their clients find true healing. She speaks at international and local conferences by invitation and provides consultation to therapists across the world. Therapists seek out employment at LK Institute when they want to be a clinician who goes beyond the surface and does more than symptom management.
October 2024
LK Institute moved into the Central Phoenix location adding offices and having a significantly larger training space.
April 2022
LK Institute therapist Kali Kenar, who had been with LK Institute since 2019, stepped into the role of Clinical Director bringing additional expertise and specialization to the clinical program. This transition allowed Lauren to focus more energy on training and consultation.
September 2021
We commit to practice our values to the best of our ability as we all learn and grow together.
We try to be fair and make practice decisions with integrity.
05.
As a family business, we don't see our client's as a number or just another phone call. We aim to treat each person who walks in our doors as we'd want our own loved ones to be treated.
04.
We know what it is to create something, grow it, love it and not take what we have for granted.
03.
We believe a balanced life with support of friends and family is a priority.
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We believe that we must take risk in order to find change and that the root of all success is hard work and dedication.
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What We Believe In
Our therapists work together to constantly improve clinical skills. We utilize each other's knowledge, talents and expertise to always be growing as clinicians. All therapists receive case consultation and training from our Clinical Director who is esteemed as an expert in the field in her areas of interest. Every therapist at LK Institute is trained in EMDR Psychotherapy and receives supervision and collaboration to ensure the best treatment delivery. Our team accepts and supports diversity of all types and has the priority of making our office a safe place. This applies to everyone no matter your culture, race, orientation, identity, religion, walk of life, or any struggle that you might be experiencing. We are honest about our specialities, and also will let you know when we believe there is another expert outside of our agency who will be a better fit for your needs.
Our Team
Covered parking is available when entering the office parking lot from Cherry Avenue. Paid parking is available on Cherry Avenue and Elden Street using the FloBird app.
parking
Mon-Fri 9:00am-5:00pm
hours
Address
Vistor's Parking on 1st and 2nd story or open parking on 3rd story of parking garage. Entrances into building on 1st or 2nd floor. LK Institute is on the 4th floor, to the right of the elevator.
parking
Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm
hours
Address
at our two counseling office locations
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