(she/her)
It gets better, even if it doesn’t feel like it today. If you’re reaching out because things feel heavy, overwhelming, or confusing, I’m really glad you’re here. You don’t have to carry everything by yourself. I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) based in Chicago with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate trauma, relationships, anxiety, and the moments in life that can feel like too much. My work is grounded in creating a space where you can slow down, breathe, and feel truly seen and heard. Therapy should feel like a place where you can be real, not judged, not rushed, and not expected to have everything figured out. I hold advanced certifications in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and I’m a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional. These approaches allow me to blend practical, evidence-based tools with compassionate, collaborative work that honors your story and your strengths. Many of the people I work with are dealing with the lingering effects of trauma, relationship struggles, or anxiety that makes daily life harder than it should be. Others are simply trying to understand themselves better and find steadier ground. Wherever you are in that process, my goal is to help you feel more empowered, more connected to yourself, and better equipped to handle what life brings. In our work together, therapy is not about “fixing” you, because you are not broken. It’s about understanding your experiences, building skills that support you, and helping you reconnect with the parts of yourself that already hold strength and resilience. You don’t have to do this alone. I see you, and I’m here to help you move toward a life that feels more balanced, hopeful, and truly your own.
In your first session with me, you can expect a welcoming and supportive environment where we’ll begin to get to know each other. This initial meeting is all about understanding your current challenges, goals (if you have them if not no worries, we'll come up with them as we build our relationship), and what you hope to achieve through therapy. We’ll discuss what brought you to therapy, any past experiences with counseling, and any specific concerns you have right now. In your first session with me, you can expect a welcoming, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment. My goal is to create a space where you can exhale a little, where you don’t have to perform or pretend that everything is okay. Life can feel heavy at times, and therapy is a place where you can set some of that weight down for a while. Our first meeting is really about getting to know each other. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy and what has been going on in your life recently. Some people come in with very clear goals, maybe they want to manage anxiety, heal from trauma, navigate a relationship challenge, or find better ways to cope with stress. Others arrive feeling unsure of exactly what they need, but they know something isn’t working or something feels off. Both are completely okay. If you don’t have clear goals yet, we’ll figure them out together over time. You’ll have the opportunity to share whatever feels comfortable for you. There’s no pressure to tell your entire life story right away. Therapy is a process that unfolds gradually, and trust builds over time. Some people talk a lot in the first session, while others need time to settle in and feel safe before opening up more deeply. Both approaches are completely normal. I’ll meet you wherever you are. During the session, I’ll ask some questions to help me understand your experiences and the bigger picture of your life. This might include questions about your background, relationships, family dynamics, work or school stressors, and any past experiences with therapy or mental health support. We may also talk about what your day-to-day life looks like right now and how stress, emotions, or past experiences may be affecting you. If you’re feeling nervous before the first session, that’s incredibly common. Many people worry about what they should say, whether they’re “doing therapy right,” or whether their problems are too small or too big. Please know that there is no right or wrong way to show up. You can arrive exactly as you are. Sometimes people come in feeling emotional. Sometimes they cry. Sometimes they laugh. Sometimes they sit quietly and think for a while. All of those responses are part of being human, and all of them are welcome in the therapy space. By the end of the first session, we’ll likely have a clearer sense of what you’re hoping to get out of therapy and how we might begin working toward those goals together. We’ll talk about what ongoing sessions could look like, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the process. If there are concerns or uncertainties about therapy, we can talk about those too. More than anything, the first session is about creating a foundation for our work together. It’s about building trust and making sure you feel comfortable enough to continue the process. Therapy is not something that happens overnight, and it’s not something you have to navigate alone. Growth often begins in small steps, sometimes just showing up, talking honestly, and allowing yourself to be supported. Welcome!
With 20 years of experience in various mental health settings, I’ve gained a deep understanding of how to help clients navigate complex emotional challenges with compassion and care. I hold advanced certifications in Trauma-Informed Care, DBT, CBT, and Mindfulness, and I’ve been recognized as an expert in the field of psychology. I’m committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and therapeutic techniques. Continuous learning and growth, both personally and professionally, are at the core of my practice, ensuring that I provide the highest quality care. This commitment is something I bring into every session, allowing me to offer support that is not only effective but also genuinely compassionate. Building strong therapeutic relationships is something I’m truly passionate about, as I believe they are the foundation of effective therapy. My clients often share that they feel deeply heard and understood in our sessions, which fosters trust and openness. I love working collaboratively with my clients, empowering them to be active participants in their healing journey. It’s important to me that the work we do together is meaningful and closely aligned with your personal goals. I tailor my approach to each individual, focusing on what resonates with you and addressing your specific challenges. I aim to provide care that is both personalized and impactful, helping you achieve the growth and healing you’re seeking.
The clients I work best with are people who may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or simply tired of carrying everything alone. Many of them are thoughtful, insightful individuals who have spent a lot of time trying to hold things together for everyone else, partners, family members, coworkers, while quietly struggling themselves. On the outside they often look like they’re functioning well, but inside they may feel anxious, emotionally exhausted, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward. I frequently work with individuals who are navigating trauma, complicated relationships, anxiety, mood challenges, or major life transitions. Some are working through experiences from the past that still affect how they see themselves and the world. Others are trying to understand patterns in their relationships, set healthier boundaries, or manage the constant “what if” thinking that anxiety can bring. Many of my clients come to therapy because they want more than just temporary relief, they want understanding. They want to make sense of why they react the way they do, why certain patterns keep showing up in their lives, and how they can begin to shift those patterns in a meaningful way.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In our sessions, we'll use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. It's a structured approach that helps us identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to our feelings. We'll start by looking at specific situations where you felt distressed, then work together to challenge those negative thoughts and find more balanced ways of thinking. We'll also focus on behaviors that might be reinforcing those thoughts and create a plan to replace them with healthier actions. I’ll give you some strategies to practice between sessions, so you can start managing these thoughts and feelings more effectively on your own. The goal is to equip you with tools you can use daily to feel better and more in control.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
In our sessions, we'll be incorporating Mindfulness-Based Therapy, which focuses on helping you stay present in the moment and develop a non-judgmental awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. The idea is to help you observe your experiences without getting caught up in them, reducing the impact they have on your emotions and behaviors.
Trauma Informed Care
In our sessions, we'll be using a trauma-informed approach, which means I'll be very mindful of how past experiences, particularly any traumatic ones, might be affecting you today. My priority is to create a safe and supportive environment where you feel comfortable and in control. We'll go at a pace that feels right for you, and I'll always check in to make sure you're feeling okay with what we're discussing or working on. I'll help you build coping strategies to manage any strong emotions or stress that might come up. The focus is on understanding how your experiences have shaped you, without re-traumatizing you. I’ll also be mindful of your boundaries and empower you to make choices in our sessions, whether that’s deciding what we talk about or how we approach certain topics. The goal is to help you feel safe, heard, and supported as we work together to understand and heal from your experiences.
1 rating with written reviews
April 29, 2025
Dana is easily the most authentic, skilled, intelligent, analytical, intuitive providers with whom I have worked. Right up there with my oncologist who worked several miracles yielding 25 years of high quality of life where none was expected. She listens with laser focus, deftly equipping and empowering her patients to fully understand and conquer our tormentors. She helps you see deep inside yourself and customizes a highly effective action plan that significantly improves your day to day life.