Chanel Yako

(she/her)

LCSW, 3 years of experience
No reviews yet

New to Grow

VirtualAvailable

Hi! i'm a therapist passionate about creating a safe and supportive space where clients feel genuinely heard, understood and accepted. I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship challenges, and other mental health concerns. I understand how difficult it can be to seek support especially when struggling with the fear of being seen as weak or facing the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use. As someone who grew up in a culture where mental health was not openly discussed, I value creating that safe and nonjudgmental environment for my clients to allow themselves to be vulnerable. My goal is to help you build insight, develop healthier coping skills, strengthen self-confidence, and create meaningful, lasting changes that improve your overall quality of life.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

My priority is creating a comfortable space where you can be yourself and share as openly as you want at your own pace. We will spend time getting to know each other to build rapport then discuss what has brought you to therapy and identify the goals you would like to work toward. I understand that starting therapy can feel intimidating, so there is no pressure to have everything figured out right away. My goal is for clients to leave the first session feeling more hopeful, validated and more confident about the therapy process. I want you to feel encouraged and motivated for future sessions after increasing optimism about healing and growth.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

What makes my therapeutic approach unique is the combination of my professional experience, cultural perspective and individualized approach to care. As someone from a Middle Eastern background who grew up in a household where mental health was not openly discussed, I understand the stigma that can sometimes surround seeking help. This perspective has deepened my passion for creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel comfortable being themselves and prioritizing their mental health. I value building genuine therapeutic relationships and believe that truly listening and understanding each client's experience and background is an important part of the healing process. I do not believe therapy is a one-size-fits-all process and really emphasize utilizing a person-centered and collaborative approach tailoring interventions to each individual's unique needs, goals, strengths and experiences. I integrate different therapeutic modalities including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, trauma-informed care techniques to best support each client's growth and healing journey. I focus on helping clients recognize their strengths while also providing practical tools and realistic support throughout the therapeutic process. I believe in being open and honest about the challenges that can come with growth and change while also empowering clients to build resilience, confidence and meaningful progress over time.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I work best with adults who may be experiencing anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges, relationship difficulties or major life transitions. I also have experience supporting clients with trauma, grief, have a mood and/or personality disorder as well as substance use concerns. I am passionate about supporting clients who may feel overwhelmed, emotionally stuck or uncertain about how to move forward and I strive to create a safe, supportive and nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and understood. I enjoy working with individuals who are seeking personal growth, healing, emotional balance, build self-esteem and healthier relationships with themselves and others. Whether clients are navigating difficult emotions, recovering from painful experiences, managing stressors or working toward lasting behavioral changes, I am to help them feel empowered and capable of creating meaningful change in their lives.

Specialties

Top specialties

Anxiety

Depression

Other specialties

Addiction

I identify as

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Location

Virtual

My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients better understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Together we identify unhelpful thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies that support emotional well-being and personal growth.

Person-centered (Rogerian)

I use a person-centered approach to create a warm, supportive and nonjudgmental space where clients feel genuinely heard and understood. I believe each person is the expert of their own life and I work collaboratively with clients to help them explore their experiences, build self-awareness and move towards personal growth and healing. My goal is to foster a strong therapeutic relationship build on empathy, trust and authenticity.

Mindfulness-Based Therapy

I support clients in learning grounding and mindfulness techniques that can help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation and increase present-moment awareness. My approach encourages self-compassion and helps clients feel more connected to themselves while navigating life's challenges.

Trauma Informed Care

My approach emphasizes building trust, allowing for collaboration, creating emotional safety for clients. I recognize how past expriences can impact emotional well-being, relationships, and daily functioning and I work at a pace that feels comfortable for each client.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

I use solutions-focused therapy to help clients identify their strengths, build on what is already working and move towards meaningful goals. Together we can focus on practical strategies and small, manageable steps that can create positive change in daily life. I strive to help clients feel empowered, hopeful and confident in their ability to overcome challenges and grow.

New to Grow
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.