Lauren Petru

Hi Students and Families! I'm Mrs.Petru, but feel free to call me Lauren. I joined the AHS Student Support Team in 2024 and excited to be your Student Assistance Counselor/Crisis Counselor.  My priority is the social-emotional and mental health of our students. Grasping and regulating emotions, fostering healthy relationships, and effectively managing stress are crucial for achieving academic success, personal development, and a strong sense of identity. Social emotional learning helps students develop self awareness, manage emotions, set goals, build relationships, and make responsible decisions.  

 

I bring over 15 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health, working both in community settings and schools. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada and my Master's degree in School Psychology from Humboldt State University. For the past 7 years, I have served as a School Psychologist, providing educationally-related mental health counseling through our local SELPA and conducting psychoeducational assessments with the Humboldt County Office of Education and McKinleyville Union School District. I am thrilled to support the students and families at Arcata High School with high-quality mental health resources and supports!

 

In my free time, I love spending time outdoors with my husband, son, and our furry companions, whether it’s fishing, hunting, backpacking, or gardening. We also enjoy taking road trips together. I’m a fan of music shows, stand-up comedy, and baseball games. I love listening to podcasts. I’m passionate about mindfulness and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. Additionally, I enjoy cooking delicious meals, learning about others cultures, and dreaming about the Padres winning the World Series one day!