Meet Lauren Hugunin

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Hugunin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
The name Calm in Chaos Therapy was inspired by one of my favorite quotes by Deepak Chopra: “All great changes are preceded by chaos.” This quote has stuck with me for years because it speaks to something I witness in myself and my clients all the time. Transformation often begins in what we tend to avoid. The moments that feel most overwhelming or disorienting are often the very ones that crack something open and create space for new insight, deeper connection, and lasting change. When life feels chaotic, it signals that something is no longer working the way it used to, and that something new is trying to emerge. In therapy, we often start by sitting in that chaos, whether it is grief, conflict, confusion, or shame, and learning how to approach it with curiosity and compassion rather than avoidance or judgment. In my practice, I support clients in finding their own sense of calm and clarity in the middle of the mess. Whether that looks like navigating relationship patterns, identity shifts, or life transitions, my goal is to help people reclaim a sense of agency and move through discomfort in a way that actually honors their needs and values.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart:

Calm in Chaos Therapy combines s*x therapy, parts work, and a relational lens to help clients explore how their early experiences, beliefs, and protective strategies show up in their adult lives and relationships. I specialize in the things people were told not to talk about, such as s*x, shame, pleasure, desire, boundaries, power, and vulnerability. I offer a trauma-informed space where clients can explore all parts of themselves, including the ones that feel messy, contradictory, or hard to talk about. As a relational therapist, I don’t just focus on symptoms, I focus on you in the context of your relationships, culture, identity, and inner world.

What I’m most proud of or excited about:

I’m proud of offering a space where people can finally say out loud the things they’ve been afraid to share. It excites me to watch clients shed layers of shame and reclaim parts of themselves that have long been buried, especially around s*xuality and emotional intimacy. So many people carry silent shame about their desires or their past. In this work, I help clients rewrite their stories with honesty and self-trust, so that they can step into authenticity in their relationship with themselves and those they care about.

How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

Calm in Chaos Therapy grew out of my own journey navigating life’s unpredictability and learning how to find stillness in the storm. Building my practice while raising young children was a challenge that required flexibility and deep self-compassion. It showed me that there is no perfect path, only the willingness to adapt and hold onto core values. This experience deepened my belief in the power of connection both personally and professionally. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that being a therapist doesn’t mean having it all figured out. My own growth, both personally and professionally, has made me a better clinician. I’ve learned to trust the process, to tolerate uncertainty, and to honor the wisdom in slowing down. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to be deeply human in this work and that showing up authentically often creates the most healing for my clients.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I want people to know that at Calm in Chaos Therapy, complexity is welcomed, and transformation is always possible. You are not broken. The parts of you that feel confusing or contradictory are trying to protect you. You don’t have to push them away. With the right support, you can build a relationship with yourself and others that’s rooted in trust, compassion, and authenticity.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1:
We’d kick things off with a walk around Sloan’s Lake and bagels from Call Your Mother. Then head to the Berkeley neighborhood to explore local shops, grab lunch at Edgewater Marketplace, and treat ourselves to Happy Cones ice cream. If we’re up for it, we’d cap the day with beers at Odell Brewing and cheeseburgers at Atomic Cowboy.

Day 2:
We’d spend the day immersed in art at Meow Wolf, then wander the RiNo Art District. A stop at Spicy Librarian for a new romance novel and a cider at Stem makes for the perfect afternoon. For dinner, wok-fried cheung fun with the best Asian noodles.

Day 3:
Start with yoga at Better Buzz, then head to Red Rocks for a hike. On the way back, we’d stop at New Terrain Brewery for a beer and live music, followed by sandwiches from D’Deli in Golden.

Day 4:
We’d head to Confluence Park to kayak or lounge by the river, then pop into REI and explore Platte Street. That evening, we’d enjoy dinner and the full spectacle at the iconic Casa Bonita.

Day 5:
A relaxed day of boutique shopping on 32nd Avenue in the Highlands, followed by dinner at Adelita’s. That night, we’d dive into something playful and thought-provoking at a S*xplatorium workshop.

Day 6:
We’d spend the day lounging at Anderson Park pool, then head to Vinyl’s rooftop patio party to watch the sunset, dance, and maybe grab a late-night snack before calling it.

Day 7:
Wrap up the trip with a stroll to Tennyson, lunch at Parisi, and a quiet moment at Cesar Chavez Park. End the week with cocktails and cozy vibes by the fire at Forest Room Five.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shoutout to my clients, who have been some of my greatest teachers. Their honesty, courage, and willingness to lean into discomfort have deeply impacted me, not just in my work but in how I show up in my own life. They have shown me that healing is not arriving at a specific destination or outcome. It is messy, nonlinear, and sometimes involves circling back to the same place with new awareness. Walking beside them has taught me to be more patient with myself, more open to uncertainty, and more grounded in compassion. Being trusted in my clients’ vulnerable spaces has made me more human. It has softened how I relate to myself and deepened how I connect with others. Over and over, I’ve seen how resilient people are, even in the face of trauma, shame, or relational rupture. I’ve learned to trust the parts of people that long for healing, even if they’re scared or hidden.

Website: https://www.calminchaostherapy.com

Instagram: @calminchaostherapy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhugunin/

Image Credits
@audrianaluna_photo