In The Essentials | Randi Wren
WELCOME TO IN THE ESSENTIALS: A series of interviews with long-time friends and customers, photographed in their favored pieces from our core collection of timeless, finely crafted essentials.
Shot at our Showroom | Atelier in Berkeley 
MEET RANDI WREN
Tell us a little about your background.
For over twenty-five years, I have worked as a grief counselor, helping individuals navigate loss, uncertainty, and profound transitions. My approach is rooted in meaning-making and hope, integrating psychology, spirituality, and reason to help clients carry grief—not as something to be “fixed,” but as something to be understood, shared, and ultimately transformed. I believe that grief, when acknowledged and explored, can become a path toward deeper connection and personal growth.
My background weaves together theological and clinical expertise. I hold master’s degrees from the University of San Francisco and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, attended rabbinical school at the AJRCA, and am currently pursuing a master’s in psychology while training as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). As a board-certified chaplain and counselor, I have provided care in hospitals, hospices, cancer centers, and behavioral health settings throughout the Bay Area. In these spaces—where life’s fragility is most deeply felt—I have witnessed the profound resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of presence, empathy, and shared meaning.
How did you first discover Erica Tanov?
While out to lunch on Fourth Street in Berkeley with a good friend, I wandered into her store and immediately fell in love. It felt like finding a long-lost friend.
In three-or-so words, how would you describe your personal style?
Simple sophistication, timeless basics, natural ease.
What Erica Tanov essentials are a staple in your closet?
High-waisted trousers paired with form-fitting tops, cozy sweaters, and delicate lace blouses.
Are there similar themes that run through your wardrobe, ones that make you feel the most like yourself?
A blend of carefree sophistication, casual cool, and understated sexiness. Each piece embodies effortless elegance while allowing me to move with ease.
How has your style changed over time?
Growing up by the beach, my style had a more relaxed, coastal feel. Over time, I’ve refined it, leaning towards effortless sophistication while maintaining a sense of ease.
Do you have any upcoming travels or projects that you are excited about?
I am starting a local therapist group on the Peninsula—a space for professionals in the healing field to come together, share experiences, support one another, and foster a sense of connection and belonging.
As for travel, I have trips planned to Japan and Korea, two places I absolutely adore.
What are your travel essentials?
Good skincare, comfortable yet stylish shoes, a great bag, lingerie, a few great books, and my journal.
What does an ideal day look like to you?
Studying, learning, and healing.
Where do you go to find beauty and inspiration?
Nature, art, and books.
What is something small that means the world to you?
My wedding ring.
What is the best or most memorable piece of advice you have been given?
"The client matters." This simple yet profound advice reshaped my understanding of therapy—not as a detached, clinical practice, but as a deeply relational and human endeavor. Therapy is not just about offering insights or guiding a process; it is about showing up with presence, authenticity, and a genuine investment in the client’s well-being. When clients feel that they truly matter, something shifts—walls come down, trust deepens, and healing becomes possible. This philosophy aligns with my existential framework, which holds that transformation occurs within the context of meaningful relationships and shared vulnerability. In a world that often feels indifferent, the therapist’s role is to bear witness, to engage fully, and to create a space where the client feels seen, valued, and understood.
