About Us

"At Peaceful Renewal Counseling, we believe therapy should meet you where you are — compassionate, personalized, and grounded in what matters most to you."

Lauren Galarneau, LCSW, LADC
Founder & Licensed Therapist
Peaceful Renewal Counseling

Lauren Galarneau is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) with a passion for helping individuals reconnect with themselves, heal from within, and move forward with clarity and confidence. She is the founder and owner of Peaceful Renewal Counseling, a private practice offering holistic and evidence-based care through telehealth in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Florida as well as in-person sessions in South Windsor, CT.

Lauren specializes in working with adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, life transitions, and burnout. Her approach is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, harm reduction, and somatic-based practices. She provides a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where clients feel empowered to explore their experiences and create meaningful, sustainable change.

With a deep respect for each person’s individual path, Lauren blends practical strategies with a warm, client-centered presence. Her work focuses on restoring balance, building resilience, and supporting whole-person healing.

Lauren is also certified in Acudetox and offers holistic approaches in sessions as an optional, calming adjunct to therapy.

Melissa Gaudet, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Melissa Gaudet is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over a decade of experience supporting adults (18+) through life’s most challenging and transformative moments. She specializes in working with individuals navigating trauma, substance use, and life transitions, offering a compassionate and grounded space for healing.

Melissa’s approach is trauma-informed, evidence-based, and holistic, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with mind-body awareness to support meaningful, lasting change. She believes that healing happens when clients feel safe, understood, and empowered to explore both their struggles and their strengths.

With a warm and collaborative style, Melissa works alongside her clients to build insight, develop healthier coping strategies, and move toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Melissa offers virtual sessions with flexible availability, including evenings and weekends, making therapy accessible for those with busy schedules.

Benjamin Gatliff LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Benjamin Gatliff is a Licensed Professional Counselor who provides a grounded, supportive space for individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. He has a particular passion for working with men’s issues and men’s trauma, helping clients explore the impact of expectations, identity, and past experiences on their current emotional well-being.

Benjamin understands that many men have been taught to suppress emotion or “push through,” often leading to disconnection, frustration, or feeling stuck. He works to create a space where clients can safely explore these experiences, process trauma, and build a healthier relationship with themselves and others.

His approach is rooted in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and trauma-informed care, while also emphasizing self-awareness, accountability, and meaningful, sustainable change. Benjamin supports clients in identifying patterns, improving communication, and developing practical tools to manage stress, anger, and emotional overwhelm.

He has experience working with concerns related to relationships, self-worth, identity, and life pressures, and is especially attuned to helping men navigate vulnerability, emotional expression, and healing from past trauma.

Benjamin’s style is calm, direct, and collaborative—meeting clients where they are while gently encouraging growth at a pace that feels manageable.

He offers a space where you can show up as you are, begin to untangle what feels overwhelming, and move toward a more grounded, intentional life.

Kim Sweet LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Kim Sweet is a Licensed Professional Counselor who brings a warm, compassionate, and collaborative approach to therapy. She works with individuals and couples, helping clients navigate life's challenges, strengthen emotional well-being, and create meaningful, lasting change.

Kim specializes in treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, trauma, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She understands that everyone's journey is unique and tailors her approach to meet each client's individual needs, incorporating evidence-based techniques to build healthier coping skills, increase self-awareness, and foster personal growth.

In addition to individual counseling, Kim is passionate about helping couples strengthen their relationships. Utilizing the Gottman Method, she supports couples in improving communication, rebuilding trust, navigating conflict, and developing deeper emotional connections.

Kim believes therapy should be a space where clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported without judgment. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, navigating relationship challenges, or simply looking to make positive changes in your life, Kim provides a supportive environment to explore your concerns and move forward with confidence.

Kim offers convenient telehealth appointments with flexible daytime and afternoon availability allowing clients to prioritize their mental health while balancing the demands of everyday life.