Raquel Konja
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I have 5 years of experience as a School Social Worker. I graduated from Indiana University Northwest in 2021 with my master's degree. I am a therapist who believes people are stronger than they give themselves credit for. My passion is helping you find your strength and strategies to meet your goals. I keep things warm, supportive, and will never make you feel judged for what you bring to me. I am here to support you and help you navigate to where you want to be. Outside of work, I run a small farm with pigs, goats, chickens, dogs, cats, and a garden, so my life involves a fair amount of dirt and a lot of animals with strong opinions. I also love to fish, do woodwork, cook from scratch, and make soy candles. Being in nature is how I reset, and I am happy to talk about what helps you reset too.
First session
In our first few sessions, you can expect to feel heard, understood, and supported through active listening and empathy. We will work together to identify strengths, understand challenges, and develop goals that feel achievable and meaningful. What makes my practice unique is my commitment to meeting each client where they are and tailoring our work to their individual needs. While I especially enjoy working with children, I welcome clients of all ages I am passionate about this work because I love watching my clients grow, make progress, and reach their goals. It is incredibly rewarding to support clients as they discover their strengths and gain confidence along the way.
Strengths
I bring empathy, active listening, and patience to my sessions. I strive to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment where clients feel comfortable being open and honest. I’m also attentive to each client’s individual needs and try to meet them where they are rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. Most importantly, I bring genuine curiosity and compassion while helping clients recognize their strengths and develop practical tools for moving forward.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are individuals who are ready for meaningful change and want support navigating challenges, building confidence, and creating a healthier, more fulfilling life. They may be children and clients of all ages who may be experiencing educational disabilities, anxiety, challenges with self-regulation, social skills, or stress. I provide compassionate, personalized care to help individuals navigate life’s challenges and create meaningful change. My specialty is supporting clients with emotional wellness, relationships, stress, and life transitions through practical tools, guidance, and a safe, judgment-free space. Taking the first step can feel difficult, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whatever you’re facing, I am here to listen without judgment, understand your experience, and support you along the way. You deserve to feel heard, supported, and hopeful about what’s ahead.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I will use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a collaborative, practical approach to help clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we’ll identify patterns of thinking that may be contributing to distress and explore whether those thoughts are accurate, helpful, or influenced by unhelpful thinking patterns. We’ll then work on developing more balanced ways of thinking and healthier behaviors. This may include skills such as cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, problem-solving, coping strategies, and practicing new behaviors between sessions. I’ll regularly check in with clients about what is and isn’t working and adjust our approach based on their needs and goals. My goal is to make CBT practical and applicable to everyday life, while ensuring that the client feels supported, respected, and actively involved in the process.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I will use mindfulness to help clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviors without immediately judging or reacting to them. Mindfulness can help clients learn to slow down, stay present, and create space between an experience and their response to it. Depending on the client’s needs and goals, I may incorporate practices such as mindful breathing, grounding exercises, body awareness, and brief present-moment exercises. I can also integrate mindfulness with CBT by helping clients notice unhelpful thoughts without automatically accepting or acting on them. My goal is to make mindfulness practical and accessible, using it as a tool to support emotional regulation, self-awareness, stress management, and healthier responses to difficult experiences.
Motivational Interviewing
I will use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore their own reasons for change in a supportive, nonjudgmental way. Rather than telling clients what they should do, I will work collaboratively with them to understand their goals, values, concerns, and any mixed feelings they may have about making changes. I will use open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summaries to help clients identify their strengths and build confidence in their ability to make meaningful changes. I will also focus on recognizing and reinforcing their own motivations for change. My goal is to create a safe environment where clients feel respected and empowered to make their own decisions. By meeting clients where they are and supporting their autonomy, I can help them develop motivation that comes from within and take steps toward the changes they want to make.
Strength-Based
I will use a strengths-based approach by helping clients recognize and build upon the strengths, skills, resources, and experiences they already possess. Rather than focusing only on problems or areas of difficulty, I will also explore what has helped them cope, overcome challenges, and make positive changes in the past. I will collaborate with clients to identify their personal strengths and use those strengths to support their goals. This may include highlighting progress, reinforcing resilience, identifying existing coping skills, and helping clients recognize their ability to make meaningful changes. My goal is to help clients feel empowered and capable while creating a therapeutic environment that emphasizes hope, growth, and self-efficacy. I want clients to leave therapy with a greater understanding of their strengths and confidence in their ability to navigate challenges.
Location
Virtual sessions