LCSW, 4 years of experience
Hi! I'm a licensed clinical social worker based in Illinois. I received my Masters from the University of Illinois and have been practicing for 4 years. I have a deep passion for working with children, teens and adults. I have experience as a school social worker in the school setting and private practice setting. I am certified in CBITS (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Specialized in Trauma). I have treated a range of issues spanning the life-span including depression, anxiety, family-of-origin issues, and life transitions. I am also passionate about working with individuals who have struggled with relationships, low self-esteem/body image issues, and bullying.
In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions. I will focus on getting to know you as an individual and from there discuss challenges you are facing. This will help me create a treatment plan for us to work through in follow up sessions. My main goal is to provide you a safe place where you can feel comfortable to express how you are feeling.
Having worked with children, teens, and adults, I've developed a solution focused approach to help you identify the root cause of your challenges and (b) create goals that leads to measurable progress. I am extremely empathetic and open minded and understand what struggle can look and feel like. I am patient and caring and will do my best to help you grow.
My clients are eager to improve, but don't yet have the tools needed to make this goal a reality. They often feel stuck, overwhelmed and anxious about the situation they are in. I am passionate about helping clients that want to work alongside someone and achieve goals they thought were not possible. I love to help clients realize all that they are capable of.
I previously worked as a school social worker and gained a certification in CBITS (Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools). Most recently, I have enjoyed working in the private practice setting where I have treated a range of issues (anxiety ,life transitions, depression integrating CBT treatment throughout all of them.
I use ACT into my treatment modalities to help my clients utilize mindfulness and allow themselves to sit with uncomfortable feelings. in the present moment. This allows my client to adapt to their feelings rather than avoid them.
DBT is implemented throughout my sessions when clients are experiencing intense, feelings. DBT allows clients to gain awareness of their feelings as well as regulate their emotions.