PMHNP, 18 years of experience
Over the last 20 years, I've had the privilege of working in various settings, including the ER, a 24-hour crisis department, inpatient psychiatric unit, community mental health center, private practice setting, and a state operated forensic facility. These experiences have equipped me with a well-rounded perspective on mental health care and helped me develop a comprehensive understanding of the challenges individuals living with mental illness face while navigating the intricacies of the mental health care system. Now, as a busy working mom of three, I've channeled my extensive experience into building a thriving private practice, where I'm dedicated to serving individuals struggling with a wide range of mental health concerns. I am a LGBTQIA+ ally. Additionally, as a bariatric surgery recipient myself, I'm uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive bariatric psychiatric evaluations and therapy for those navigating the physical and emotional complexities of life after weight-loss surgery. With my multifaceted background and unwavering commitment to mental health, I strive to be a trusted guide and advocate for all those seeking support on their journey towards greater well-being. When I'm not working, you'll find me with my husband & our kiddos, hiking, gardening, swimming, playing hockey with the kids, and helping them with reading or homework. I enjoy baking and am making an effort to improve my cooking. Big fan of museums and the beautiful zone 5 forest preserves.
The first session is a vital starting point, focused on open introductions and understanding your reasons for seeking treatment—whether you’re facing a specific challenge, navigating change, or looking to enhance your wellbeing. I offer a welcoming, judgment-free space to share your story, listen attentively, and clarify your goals. Together, we’ll establish a solid foundation for meaningful progress and positive change.
I offer a warm, realistic, and goal-focused approach, creating a supportive space where clients feel free to be themselves without judgment. By blending humor, authenticity, and various therapeutic styles, I tailor care to each unique individual, empowering clients on their personal path to healing and growth.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the small nature of my practice, availability, and in effort to preserve a healthy work-life balance, I am not currently taking the following clients: 1) Seeking Fitness examinations (ex: work, legal reasons, parental) 2) Psychiatric inpatient hospitalization within the last 2 months 3) Suicide attempt or psychotic episode within the last 3 months 4) Active and current self-injury 5) FOID mental health examinations or seeking to appeal FOID denials 6) Daily use of controlled substances such as benzodiazepines (ex: Xanax), hypnotics (ex: Ambien), or stimulants (ex: Adderall) 7) Active co-occurring substance use disorder(s) Ultimately, my role is to be a steadfast partner for those seeking positive change, whether they're struggling with the demands of parenthood, the devastation of grief, or the complexities of major health and or life transformations. By drawing upon their inner reserves of strength and resilience, I'm honored to help my clients not just survive, but truly thrive, in the face of life's most significant challenges. As an expert in the field, I find great joy supporting parents balancing family and work, helping high-functioning individuals create positive change, and guiding people to harness their strengths for daily life. I’m passionate about helping bariatric surgery patients manage the emotional and lifestyle adjustments required for lasting health. My approach combines practical strategies and therapeutic support to empower their transformation.
Grief therapy, also known as grief or bereavement counseling, is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals cope with a wide range of significant losses. Whether it's the death of a loved one, a major life transition, recent move, job change, or the loss of an intimate relationship, grief therapy provides a compassionate space for working through the profound emotional turmoil that can accompany these life-altering events. By working through the grieving process with the guidance of an experienced professional, those in the throes of profound loss can emerge with a renewed capacity to manage their pain and reconnect with the world around them.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is a strength-based, future-oriented approach that stands in stark contrast to traditional models that tend to pathologize human experience and focus on underlying issues. In SFBT, the client is viewed as the expert on their own life, with the clinician serving as a collaborative partner in the journey towards positive change. Clients are encouraged to vividly imagine their desired future state, and to identify the small, manageable steps they can take to get there, drawing upon their own resourcefulness and resilience. By consistently highlighting the client's capacity for growth and self-directed transformation, SFBT fosters a sense of hope, empowerment, and optimism - key ingredients for sustainable, meaningful change.
16 ratings with written reviews
August 12, 2025
My first session with Dee was amazing! She listens and makes you feel very heard and comfortable!
August 1, 2025
She made me feel comfortable the first 3 seconds into our virtual session. She was very reassuring about it being a safe place and about me being myself. She was very empowering!
July 29, 2025
Absolutely had a wonderful session. She made me feel comfortable despite my anxiety issues. She listened, smiled and offered helpful insight and solutions. She took the time to explain things about medications to me. My first time seeing a psychiatrist and I would highly recommend her.