Lauren is a Master of Social Work with a degree earned from Boston University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Stony Brook University with a concentration in women’s studies and sociology.  Ms. McNamara has been working in the social service field for the past 16 years in a multitude of different arenas and has experience with alternative healing methods as well, and is a Reiki II practitioner. She is also an NYS Department of Labor Offender Employment Specialist.

With a combination of conventional treatment and holistic healing Lauren continues to dedicate her life to helping individuals heal. Learning firsthand from a young age that addiction is a family disease, Lauren’s passion for helping addicts and alcoholics and their families to heal was realized through the founding of New Hope Rising.