Licensed to practice in Illinois and accepts 9 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and PTSD and 3 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
Sometimes life can feel heavy, even when everything looks fine from the outside. You may be keeping up with school, work, family, or relationships while privately feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, or emotionally drained. You may also be trying to cope with past trauma, substance use, or patterns that no longer feel helpful. I enjoy working with adolescents and adults who are ready for support but may not know exactly where to begin. My goal is to offer a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you can talk openly, feel understood, and begin making sense of what you are going through.
Our first session is a chance for us to get to know one another and talk about what has been going on in your life. You do not need to come prepared with the perfect explanation or a list of goals. We can start wherever you are. I will ask questions to better understand your experiences, concerns, strengths, and what you hope to gain from therapy. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable and begin thinking together about what support might be most helpful. My hope is that you leave the first session feeling heard, supported, and a little more hopeful about the next steps. The goal is to find the right fit for your needs.
I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable being yourself. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical, which means we will not only talk about what you are experiencing, but also work on tools you can use outside of sessions. I tailor therapy to each person rather than using the same approach for everyone. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, stress, relationships, school, work, parenting, or a major life transition, we will work together to better understand what is keeping you stuck and find realistic ways to move forward. My goal is to help you feel more grounded, more confident, and more connected to who you are.
My ideal client is an adolescent or adult who may be feeling anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, or stuck, even if they seem to be managing well on the outside. They may be carrying the effects of trauma, struggling with substance use, experiencing relationship or family stress, or having a hard time balancing school, work, parenting, and other responsibilities. They may not have all the answers or even know exactly what they want from therapy yet. They simply know that something needs to change. My ideal client is willing to be open, curious, and honest about their experiences, even when that feels difficult. Together, we can work toward understanding the patterns that are keeping them stuck, building healthier coping skills, and helping them feel more grounded, confident, and connected to themselves.
Other specialties
I identify as
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I use acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) styles to help clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them. Together, we focus on making room for uncomfortable emotions, identifying what matters most, and taking practical steps toward a more meaningful and balanced life. Together, we may work on noticing unhelpful thought patterns, becoming more present, and taking small steps toward the kind of life you want to build. The goal is not to feel happy all the time. It is to help you feel more flexible, grounded, and able to move forward, even when life feels difficult.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used to help clients understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect one another. Together, we identify unhelpful patterns and practice more balanced ways of thinking and responding.
Psychodynamic
In therapy I may use psychodynamic therapy to help clients explore how past experiences, relationships, and emotional patterns may be affecting their current lives. This can build greater self-awareness and support lasting change.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
For clients working through trauma, I may use Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to help make sense of how the experience has affected the way you see yourself, others, and the world. Together, we gently work through beliefs such as guilt, shame, or self-blame and build a healthier, more balanced understanding of what happened.
Motivational Interviewing
When working with substance use, I use motivational interviewing to help you explore your relationship with substances without judgment or pressure. Together, we talk through any mixed feelings about change, identify your own reasons for wanting something different, and build confidence in taking realistic steps toward your goals.