Hi! I'm Dena (she/her). I have 15 years experience and truly love my vocation! I enjoy empowering individuals to achieve their goals and live their best lives. I believe everyone has the ability to heal, sometimes we all need a little help. I am passionate about the power of therapy to aid people in living their best, most authentic lives. I live on the tristate border and provide remote therapy for persons in Illinois and Iowa. An Iowa native, I spent about a decade living and working in SoCal and Phoenix before returning to the Midwest to be with my (now) husband and step kids. Yes, I left sunny San Diego, in December, for the snowy Midwest! The things we’ll do for love! I have personally benefitted greatly from therapy. I am Bi/queer, have ADHD, and several physical disabilities, all of which were diagnosed after college. Therapy helped me develop much needed coping skills so I could be successful in grad school and beyond. Therapy also helped me with the intense stressors related to being a young professional during the Great Recession. I continue to utilize therapy as part of my self care routine. If you are coping with symptoms of anxiety, depression, low self worth, or concerns related to ADHD or chronic health conditions, I would love the opportunity to work with you. I would love to help you to achieve a present no longer overshadowed by past traumas, negative self talk, or uncontrolled anxiety.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session we will discuss your medical and therapeutic history, your expectations, and the things that brought you to therapy. If you have had therapy perviously, I will ask you about your experience and if you have any preferences. We will develop goals and a plan for moving forward. The first few sessions will be about getting to know one another and to develop rapport. This is how we develop trust and I learn how I can best help you. There are many different approaches to therapy. Regardless of what works best for you, my space will be a safe, nonjudgmental space, and will include honesty and probably a good bit of laughter. If you have hard things to work through, there will also likely be tears. That’s ok! It’s pain leaving your body.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

A solid education and variety of experience are absolutely necessary to becoming a well rounded therapist. I learned a lot from each of my advisors and continue to do so through continuing education, something I enjoy doing. (I’d be a professional student if I could be!) That said, I feel my lived experiences have had the strongest positive impact on my abilities to build therapeutic relationships. I have lived in a great many places and worked a lot of different jobs before accomplishing my dream vocation. I have had the privilege to meet, be friends with, and to work with people with very different, and varied, experiences from mine. These things all help me to be a more effective therapist. Personally, I am bisexual/queer and am an active member of my local LGBTQIA+ community. I am divorced, remarried, and a stepparent. I have physical disabilities and experience chronic pain as a result. I am neurodivergent. I have respect and love for people of varied gender identities and ethnic, racial, religious, and non-religious backgrounds. I have professional, and some personal, experience with various mental health concerns, collegiate disability accommodations, suicidal ideation/attempts, hospitalization, sexual abuse, coercive relationships, family estrangement, divorce, parenting, ethical non-monogamy, and kink communities. I am accepting and empathetic. I’m told I can even be funny! You are the author of your life story. I will do all I can to help you live the story you envision. I am an avid reader and movie watcher. There is a lot we can gain from putting ourselves into our favorite plots. Coping skills don’t all have to be dry, boring concepts!

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I especially love working with teens and young adults (20-30’s) particularly those in academia or starting out in their careers. I understand the stressors of academia, yet still harbor dreams of a doctorate (despite knowing how crazy stressful that is!) I know how complicated life can be, and would be happy to provide a supportive, nonjudgmental ear. I provide a safe space for women and persons who identify as LGBTQIA+. I understand many of the unique mental health challenges you face, especially those from conservative backgrounds. I’ve been there. I also specialize in supporting neurodivergent individuals, and those with chronic illnesses, or disabilities. I have experience providing rehabilitation counseling, as well as general counseling, to individuals with complex medical needs. I offer additional understanding as one myself.

About Dena Sidmore-Seyer