Licensed to practice in Illinois and accepts 38 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions and 6 more.
(he/him)
You may be the person everyone relies on—the one who keeps showing up, handles responsibilities, and appears to have everything under control. But underneath that, you may feel anxious, emotionally exhausted, stuck in unhealthy patterns, or unsure how to prioritize yourself without feeling guilty. I’m Steve, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly 15 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, self-esteem, difficult life transitions, and the pressure of constantly having to be “the strong one.” My style is warm, authentic, and direct. I’ll support you without judgment, but I’ll also respectfully challenge you, help you recognize patterns, and hold you accountable to the goals you set for yourself. Therapy with me is collaborative, practical, and tailored to who you are. Together, we’ll work toward healthier boundaries, greater confidence, stronger relationships, and meaningful changes that extend beyond the therapy session.
Our first session will feel like a conversation—not an interrogation. We’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what has been weighing on you, what you have already tried, and what you hope will be different. You won’t need to have everything figured out or tell your entire life story at once. We’ll begin identifying the patterns and concerns that feel most important, make sure that we are a good therapeutic fit, and develop a few realistic goals to guide our work together.
I connect easily with people from different backgrounds and stages of life. Clients describe me as warm, authentic, and direct. I listen closely, notice patterns, and remember the details that matter. I create a supportive, culturally responsive environment while also respectfully challenging clients when their choices are not aligned with the changes they say they want. You can expect honesty, compassion, practical strategies, and accountability without judgment.
My ideal client is an adult who may appear capable and put together but feels overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in unhelpful patterns. They may be navigating a major life transition, relationship stress, low self-esteem, people-pleasing, or difficulty setting healthy boundaries. They are looking for a therapist who is warm and supportive but also honest, direct, and willing to respectfully challenge them. They do not need to have everything figured out, but they should be open to self-reflection, practical strategies, accountability, and making meaningful changes both inside and outside of therapy.
Cash - $200 per session
Aetna
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Lucent Health
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Anthem
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
Golden Rule
GTEB
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health/Cigna
UMR - Advocate Aurora Health
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
I use an eclectic approach because therapy should be tailored to the individual rather than based on a one-size-fits-all formula. I draw from different evidence-based approaches based on each client’s needs, personality, experiences, and goals. Sessions are conversational and collaborative, with support, honest feedback, practical strategies, and accountability to help clients create meaningful and lasting change.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns, consider whether those thoughts are accurate or useful, and practice healthier ways of responding. I incorporate CBT in a conversational and practical way, using strategies clients can apply between sessions and in everyday life.
I use Motivational Interviewing to help clients explore mixed feelings about making changes without judgment or pressure. Instead of telling clients what they should do, I help them clarify what matters to them, recognize their strengths, and identify their own reasons for moving forward. This approach is helpful when someone knows something needs to change but feels uncertain, discouraged, or stuck.
I use mindfulness-based practices to help clients notice their thoughts, emotions, and physical responses without immediately reacting to them. Depending on the client’s needs, we may practice grounding, breathing techniques, or observing thoughts without treating every thought as a fact. These strategies can improve emotional regulation and support healthier responses to stress.
2 ratings with written reviews
January 8, 2026
Great provider, I have grown with my time with Steve. I am highly proud of myself and the progress that I made.
August 14, 2025
He made it easy to converse what was on my heart and mind while also listening to certain things that I was saying and making sure that we circle back and touch base on it.