LCSW, 9 years of experience
My name is Kathleen Monroe, and I possess a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. I am licensed in Clinical Social Work, and I hold a Certification as an Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Counselor in the state of Illinois. Clients that I have worked with struggled in areas of anxiety, depression, substance abuse related, post-traumatic stress disorders, trauma-based, attention deficit disorders, depression, and anxiety.
In the first sessions, clients will be given space to expand on difficulties that bring them into services. Through this discussion, I will work with the client on developing a treatment plan specific to the client's needs.
I feel my biggest strengths include my listening skills, open reflection, and providing support, validation, and resources. I am also an advocate for providing psycho-education relating to mental health and/or substance abuse. This can include resources in between sessions or active worksheets to help in between sessions.
During my time in this field, I have experience working within a variety of settings that included Outpatient mental health facilities, inpatient substance abuse programs, and outpatient methadone maintenance facilities. Through these experiences, I have developed sensitivity toward various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic groups, including children, teens, adults, families, and couples. Every individual has the power to change, and I would like to be the link to help them regain strength in their lives. I take a direct strengths-based approach while helping my clients feel comfortable personalizing how they would like to address their concerns and set their own pace for meeting their treatment goals. Life can be difficult and taking the first step of reaching out for help shows great strength and courage.
Throughout my time in the field of counseling, I have found that many individuals struggle with understanding the way that their minds are working and supporting themselves in accepting who they are and finding their strengths. Through the use of CBT, I encourage and support teaching individuals language to understand their thought patterns, challenge these thoughts, and reframe in a manner that creates growth and affirms their strengths.
Grief Therapy can benefit individuals by helping them to understand the different stages of grief that can exist daily through experiences that traditionally would not be known as grief. Every individual holds a past and therefore I appreciate supporting every individual in gaining an understanding of how past and present grief can influence the outcome of the use of coping mechanisms and your perception of the world around you.
Utilizing DBT within daily life is effective in helping individuals ground themselves, and find radical acceptance in areas that they lack control or change over, centering on finding inner calm/peace and mindfulness as well as a variety of strategies to minimize self-harm and internal pain.
6 ratings with written reviews
June 9, 2025
kathleen was very patient and very nice to speak to she is very professional in how she handles her work would highly recomend her to anyone in need
June 3, 2025
It was truly by chance. She calls me out on things and helps me solve issues. she understand the way I think and it helps me understand why I think that way
May 21, 2025
amazing as always