With over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, I have worn many hats & developed a diverse set of skills & expertise. Early in my career, I worked as a RN in the ER, on the medical floors & inpatient psychiatric units. I transitioned into a clinical educator role, where I had the opportunity to share my knowledge & passion for mental health with others. I was later offered the lead clinician role of a hospital sponsored research grant. I dove deep into the latest evidence-based practices and strived to improve quality mental health care for some of Chicago's most vulnerable persons. During that time, I served individuals living with serious mental illness, also struggling with housing & financial vulnerabilities. I pursued further learning and became a psychiatric nurse practitioner. As a PMHNP, I've had the privilege of supporting mental health consumers across various settings such as inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, a crisis stabilization team, and in the forensic setting. 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 – from depression and anxiety to grief, life transitions, and the unique challenges of parenthood. 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, walking the dogs, gardening, swimming, working out, or reading on the porch.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The initial session with a new patient is a crucial foundation for the work to come. During this first hour together, the focus will be on warm and welcoming introductions, allowing both of us to get to know one another. This is your opportunity to openly share the reasons you are interested in therapy; whether it be to address a specific issue, work through a difficult life transition, or simply to improve your overall mental health and wellbeing. I will provide a safe, judgment-free space for you to express yourself. I will actively listen and ask thoughtful, clarifying questions to better understand your unique circumstances and goals. Our first session together provides an opportunity for me to complete elements of your initial psychiatric evaluation. This first session lays the groundwork for a productive, rewarding partnership, setting the stage for meaningful progress and positive change.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I am dedicated to providing a warm, reassuring, and supportive approach that is grounded in realism and focused on achieving meaningful goals. One of my greatest strengths is the ability to bring a refreshing dose of humor and authenticity into our sessions, creating an environment where clients feel comfortable being their true selves without fear of judgment. I firmly believe that genuine growth and progress can only occur when individuals have the freedom to express themselves openly and without pretense. By truly individualizing the care I provide, I am able to take an eclectic, tailored approach that draws from a diverse array of therapeutic modalities and techniques. This allows me to optimize each client's mental health and wellness in a way that is perfectly suited to their unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. Rather than employing a one-size-fits-all methodology, I strive to be adaptable and responsive, seamlessly blending warmth, realism, and goal-oriented strategies to empower my clients on their journeys of self-discovery and healing.
About Dee Shallcross
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Address
218 State Street, Saint Charles, IL, USA, suite BAppointments
Virtual & in-personMy treatment methods
Grief Therapy
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. While it's natural and even healthy to experience intense feelings of sadness, anger, or guilt in the wake of such losses, grief therapy can be particularly beneficial when the grieving process becomes all-consuming, feeling of loss lingers and even intensifies, or when grief is accompanied by debilitating depression. 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 Treatment
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.