New to Grow
Hello, I’m Yolanda, a licensed psychotherapist with a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University of Chicago. I consider it a true privilege to walk alongside clients as they courageously open themselves to healing, growth, and transformation. I provide compassionate, inclusive counseling in a soul-sensitive space where you can feel safe to explore life’s challenges, whether that includes navigating independence, working through identity or relationship struggles, parenting stress, or balancing the demands of higher education and career pressures. As a married mother of three in a blended family, I understand that every season of life, even the most difficult, holds the potential for renewal, peace, and deeper purpose. My goal is to support you in unpacking what weighs you down, strengthening your emotional resilience, and moving toward meaningful change. Together, we will create space for honesty, healing, and the freedom to live a more life-giving and purposeful life.
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
In our first session together, you can expect a supportive and welcoming space where we begin getting to know the different parts of your story. I will take time to learn about the elements of your life that shape who you are, such as your vocation, family relationships, childhood and upbringing, and any significant experiences or trauma that may be impacting you today. We may also discuss your social history, physical and mental health background, and any history with substances, if relevant. Most importantly, we will explore what brought you to therapy and what you are hoping to work on during this season of life. The first session is not about having everything figured out, it is about creating a foundation of understanding. My goal is to begin by validating your experience, gaining a clear picture of your world, and identifying what support will be most helpful moving forward. From there, we will begin collaborating on treatment goals and a path toward healing, growth, and meaningful change.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
What makes my work unique is the combination of clinical expertise, real-life understanding, and a deeply personal approach to therapy. I have served as a group therapist in an IOP/PHP setting, where I taught and led coping skills groups rooted in evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, and ACT. Through this experience, I developed a strong foundation in helping clients build practical tools for emotional regulation, anxiety, mood challenges, and life transitions. I have worked with teens, young adults, and adults, and I value adapting therapy to meet each person in their specific season of life. In addition to professional training, I also bring lived experience. As a wife and mother, I understand that life’s challenges are not just theoretical, they are deeply personal. This allows me to offer care that is both knowledgeable and compassionate, balancing expertise with genuine empathy. For clients who desire it, I offer Christian counseling that integrates Biblical values and faith-based perspective. For others, my work remains strongly values-centered, helping clients explore identity, purpose, and what matters most to them as they move toward healing and growth. Above all, I strive to create a therapeutic space that feels human and safe, a place where you can cry, laugh, and share the deepest parts of yourself without fear of judgment. I believe therapy is most effective when it is grounded in humility, empathy, and the belief that transformation is possible.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
I am best positioned to serve clients who are ready to face life’s challenges head-on and desire meaningful change, even if they aren’t sure exactly where to begin. Many of the individuals I work with feel motivated to grow but find that anxiety, low mood, or overwhelm can interfere with consistency, confidence, and follow-through. I offer encouragement, accountability, and a steady space to help you stay connected to your goals, especially during seasons of transition. I often support clients navigating life changes, career stress, relationship dynamics, and the emotional weight of responsibility. Many of my clients are caretakers by nature, whether in their families, communities, or professions, and need a space where they can finally focus on themselves, restore emotionally, and learn how to care for their own needs alongside caring for others. My approach is especially helpful for those who want to challenge negative thinking patterns, better understand their emotional experience, and learn how to respond with both clarity and balance. Together, we work toward greater self-awareness, healthier boundaries, and the ability to accept certain realities of life while also creating change where it is possible. If you are longing for growth, emotional steadiness, and a more grounded and purposeful way forward, I would be honored to support you.
Christian Counseling
My approach to Christian counseling is rooted in biblical truth, guided by the Holy Spirit, and informed by sound psychological principles that support lasting emotional and spiritual healing. I believe true healing happens when we address both the heart and the mind. Scripture tells us that transformation begins with the renewing of our minds, and counseling provides a safe, supportive and compassionate space to explore the thoughts, beliefs, wounds, and patterns that may be keeping you stuck. Together, we gently uncover root issues, such as past trauma, unmet emotional needs, distorted beliefs, or unresolved pain, while inviting God’s truth to bring clarity, freedom, and restoration.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help the clients identify their thoughts and emotions, building awareness of patterns that previously led to automatic reactions. By slowing the process down, I guide them in learning how to pause, recognize the connection between their thoughts and feelings, and choose intentional responses rather than reacting. I help clients develop healthier ways to express emotions, leading to improved emotional regulation, clarity, and confidence in communicating their needs.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by teaching each core module, including distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. I integrate these skills throughout our work together, with particular focus on relationships and communication. This approach also teaches balance, helping clients discern what they can change versus what they need to accept. I guide clients in giving themselves space for their emotional experiences while learning how to engage in rational, logical, and intentional responses. Through DBT, clients develop practical tools to manage emotions, communicate needs clearly, set healthy boundaries, and navigate relationships with greater clarity, stability, and confidence.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop psychological flexibility by learning how to acknowledge thoughts and emotions without being controlled by them. This approach emphasizes acceptance of internal experiences while committing to values-based actions that align with what matters most. Through ACT, I support clients in making space for difficult emotions, reducing avoidance, and choosing purposeful responses rooted in clarity, faith, and personal values, even in the presence of discomfort.