Hi, I’m Lucretia! I’m a therapist in Illinois, and I work exclusively via telehealth. I’m here to create a space where you feel seen, heard, and respected—just as you are. My practice is rooted in a firm belief that everyone is worthy of love, respect, and understanding. I value authenticity, empathy, and self-awareness, both for myself and my clients, and I consider these qualities essential for meaningful therapy. I also believe in the power of laughter to ease even the heaviest conversations. Humor can open doors to deeper insight, so I use it thoughtfully and often! In our sessions, I aim to normalize and validate your experiences, no matter where you’re coming from, without judgment. My goal is to help you tap into your unique strengths and work through whatever might be holding you back. Therapy is a powerful tool, and I’ve witnessed its transformative impact on my clients’ lives, as well as in my own. I’ve leaned on therapy through my nearly 10 years in the field and through personal challenges, including loss and the experience of caretaking for a terminal illness. If you’re navigating anxiety, depression, or trauma-related struggles, I’d love the chance to work with you. I’m passionate about supporting women ages 20+ who are finding their footing in the world, going through life transitions (divorce, career changes, becoming a parent, etc.), though I work with people of all ages and backgrounds. Many of my clients struggle with relationship problems, histories of childhood traumatic experiences, abuse, or self-worth issues. I’m here to meet you wherever you’re at. My aim is to help you create a present that feels free from the shadows of past experiences, with a future that’s built on self-acceptance, resilience, and, of course, a little bit of laughter.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first therapy session, I focus on getting to know your background, current challenges, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. It's a time to establish a connection, discuss confidentiality, and set the stage for our work together. I will ask questions about your mental and physical health history and life circumstances, to better understand your needs and goals. This session lays the foundation for our future collaboration, aiming to create a safe and supportive environment for your journey toward healing and growth.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths lie in my empathy, compassion, and knowledge of treatment processes for Grief, Mood Disorders, Anxiety, and proficiency in teaching the development of coping skills in aid of Emotional regulation, processing, and management. I also like to use Creative and Expressive Art interventions because I think it's another way to communicate when words fail, but the feelings are very present.
About Lucretia Mayer
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In my work, I utilize the fundamental principles of ACT which include cognitive defusion, acceptance, mindfulness, self-as-context, values clarification and committed action. These guide my approach to interventions. Particularly noteworthy is cognitive defusion, which assists clients in viewing their thoughts as mere words, thereby diminishing the distressing influence they may have. Acceptance promotes the idea of welcoming our thoughts and emotions without any form of judgement. It signifies a shift away from the internal battle against our personal distressing experiences, fostering a more understanding and compassionate self-view.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Throughout my professional journey, I've come to appreciate the invaluable role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in addressing a wide range of psychological challenges. Reflecting on my experiences, CBT has repeatedly shown its deep-seated effectiveness in helping clients unravel the complex interplay between their thoughts, feelings, and actions. This enlightening realization empowers them to initiate positive changes in their lives. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is rooted in the understanding that by reshaping challenging thought patterns, we can bring about positive changes in behavior and emotional health. In our sessions together, I'm here to support you in identifying and challenging any negative thoughts you may have. This process will help you nurture more balanced and positive ways of thinking, leading to a healthier state of mind.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) beautifully embodies the delicate dance between accepting one's current situation and the desire for personal transformation. This treatment has empowered me to support clients in acknowledging their present circumstances while also fostering a drive for self-improvement. The therapy is thoughtfully constructed around four fundamental pillars: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These pillars stand to guide individuals on their path toward emotional health and nurturing relationships.
EMDR
In my therapeutic work, I've found the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) technique to be an essential tool, especially for those grappling with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). My journey with EMDR has been deeply impactful, providing clients an innovative and highly effective route towards healing. This method operates on the understanding that bilateral stimulation—often achieved through directed eye movements—can aid in processing distressing memories. This appears to assist the brain in reinterpreting traumatic memories, thereby diminishing their emotional toll. EMDR therapy is a comprehensive process that spans eight distinct phases. It begins with gathering the client's history and preparing them for the journey ahead, then progresses to assessing specific traumatic memories. The subsequent stages involve desensitization and reprocessing of these memories, culminating in closure and evaluation. In my experience, the preparation phase holds paramount importance as it lays the foundation for a trust-based therapeutic relationship and arms clients with effective coping mechanisms to handle emotional upheaval.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) has deeply shaped the way I connect with clients from our very first encounter. My commitment lies in fostering an environment of openness and clarity, ensuring that every aspect of the therapy process is explained in a way that's easy to understand, and setting expectations that are clear and achievable. Moreover, I believe strongly in the power of collaboration. By working together with clients to set goals and make informed decisions about their treatment, we can help restore some of the personal autonomy and control often lost in traumatic experiences. This approach is not just a method for me; it's a heartfelt commitment to empowering those I work with on their healing journey.