Biography
Dr. Lauren A. Barnes, LMFT grew up in Washington and Oregon. During her graduate programs, Dr. Barnes worked at BYU Women’s Services and Resource Center and the BYU Comprehensive Clinic where she became specialized in treating women’s issues such as body image, eating disorders, and postpartum depression. While working there, Dr. Barnes co-created a program aimed at improving self and body image. During and after her PhD program, she worked as a therapist at Center for Change, a residential treatment centers for women and girls struggling with eating disorders.
Dr. Barnes is currently the Director of Clinical Training for BYU’s Marriage & Family Therapy graduate programs. She also maintains a small private practice. She has researched and presented on family implicit rules in eating disordered and non-eating disordered families as well as other family system dynamics related to economic distress, division of labor, parenting involvement, and marital relationships. She is happily married to Aaron Barnes and they have two very lively, young children.
Research Interests
Please note: Dr. Barnes is not accepting research assistantsWomen’s issues such as body image, eating disorders, reproductive issues and relationship struggles.
Teaching Interests
Cross-Cultural Families & Human Development, Gender & Diversity, Family Finance, Women's Issues, Marriage & Family Therapy Theories and Practice, Practicum/Clinical PracticeEducation
- Ph.D., Marriage & Family Therapy , Brigham Young University (2013)
- M.S., Marriage & Family Therapy , Brigham Young University (2010)
- B.S., Psychology , Minors: Family Life, Music, Brigham Young University (2008)
Licenses and Certifications
- DOPL- AAMFT, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (2013 - 2025)
Honors and Awards
- Mary Lou Fulton Young Faculty Award, BYU Family, Home, and Social Science (2022 - 2025)
- Service Award, BYU School of Family Life (2019 - 2020)
- Nelson Weaver Galbraith Faculty Development Award, BYU School of Family Life (2018 - 2019)
- Nelson Weaver Galbraith Faculty Development Award, BYU School of Family Life (2017 - 2018)
- Nelson Weaver Galbraith Faculty Development Award, BYU School of Family Life (2016 - 2017)
- Nelson Weaver Galbraith Faculty Development Award, BYU School of Family Life (2015 - 2016)
- Marriage & Family Therapy Full-Tuition Scholarship, Brigham Young University (2010 - 2013)
- Blaine R. Porter Fellowship (2011 - 2011)
- Ella Carpenter Jensen Scholarship (2010 - 2010)
- Marriage & Family Therapy Half-Tuition Scholarship, Brigham Young University (2008 - 2010)
- Peters and Driggs Scholarship (2009 - 2009)
- Richard and Jean Holmes Scholarship (2008 - 2009)
- Dewey & Lorraine MacKay Scholarship (2007 - 2008)
- Enriched Environment Scholarship, Brigham Young University (2007 - 2008)
- College of Family, Home & Social Science Dean's List, Brigham Young University (2007 - 2007)
- University Dean's List, Brigham Young University (2007 - 2007)
- Multicultural Student Services Scholarship (2005 - 2007)
- Roland & Dora Mae Crabtree Scholarship (2005 - 2006)
Memberships
- International Family Therapy Association (2015 - Present)
- National Eating Disorder Association (2015 - Present)
- The International Association Of Eating Disorders Professionals (2013 - Present)
- Utah Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (2010 - Present)
- American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (2008 - Present)
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2008 - Present)
- Psi Chi Honor Society (2008 - Present)
Professional Citizenship
- Committee/Council Member, Utah Coalition for Mental Health Professions (2023 - Present)
- Committee/Council Chair, The Utah Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (2020 - 2026)
- Media Interview, Latter-day Saint Women- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (2022 - 2022)
- Board Member, Utah Association of Marriage & Family Therapy (2016 - 2019)