6 therapists in Illinois matching your needs

Currently I am only accepting new clients who are trans. I am a trans and queer Licensed Clinical Social Worker and artist with 13 years of experience in community mental health. My approach is that all people deserve to have the opportunity to experience a safe, kind, and welcoming space to explore their mental health, and that as a therapist, it is my job to nurture that. I am driven to create therapeutic opportunities for people who want and need them within the LGBTQ2IA+ community. I am open to working with clients that find themselves in need of an understanding, compassionate, and community-oriented therapist who will help to guide them through healing work. My areas of focus are: LGBTQ2IA+ and TGNC youth and emerging adults, major life transitions, trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, ADHD, gender dysphoria, and sexual identity exploration. I completed my Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Arts in Gender Studies (MA) degrees concurrently at Loyola University Chicago. Before entering graduate school, I worked in multiple positions focused on reproductive justice, body autonomy, and community care. My life and professional experiences have led me to provide therapy with a focus on community care through an anti oppressive lense. I understand that helping one person can have a positive impact on the greater community surrounding them. I believe that treatment approaches should fit the individual's needs and thus I utilize many modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, somatics, and narrative therapy. My approaches of curiosity and kindness create a welcoming space to engage in therapy. Choosing to work with a therapist is a powerful way to help yourself and we all deserve a chance to have focused time to explore, learn, and grow through challenges.

With a BA from Tulane University and an MSW from the University of Illinois-Chicago, I have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) since 2000. My professional journey has been deeply rewarding, focusing on supporting individuals facing chronic illness, hospice care, depression, and anxiety. I utilize a strength-based approach combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to empower my clients. Throughout my career, I have developed a special affinity for working with older adults. My experience at Lutheran General Hospital and Alexian Brothers Medical Center, where I worked in case management and geropsychiatry, has honed my skills in addressing the unique challenges faced by this population. My passion lies in helping older adults navigate the complexities of loss and life transitions. I am committed to providing compassionate and effective psychotherapy, tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual.

How do you overcome the pain of loss? It may be the loss of a job, a romantic or social relationship, the death of a loved one (traumatic or unexpected) or a chronic health issue. Living in a face paced digital world, we expect instant gratification and often feel the pressure of unrealistic expectations. Life offers us all many challenges. Are you overwhelmed with anxiety or depressions? Do you use drugs, alcohol, food and or/other destructive relationships to relieve your pain. I am here to support you through it all.

I have experience working in treatment, community, group, and correctional settings with adolescents, young adults, and adults. Primary clinical approaches include evidence-based therapies focused on generating behavioral results. I have an in-depth understanding of the mental health issues that arise from incarceration and the stressors associated with navigating the post-incarceration process. I specialize in working with complex behavioral issues such as: conduct disorders, addition, sexual behavioral problems, and personality disorders. Other issues I specialize in include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, and adolescent, young adult, and transitional issues.

I am an Illinois and Wisconsin Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who has extensive experience working with individuals, groups, couples, and families. I earned my Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University, where the prominent perspective was person-centered therapy. I have worked with several different client populations including couples with marriage difficulties, adults struggling with depression, anxiety, and other life adjustment issues, physically and sexually abused adolescents and adults, adolescents with mental health issues related to school, home, adjustment, or mental illness, and even adolescents and adults on the verge of suicide. In working with these populations, I have gained vast experience in family dynamics and feel it is important to focus on the whole system, especially when a child is involved. I have also been trained in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and I feel many adults and adolescents could greatly benefit from learning these skills. God is our ultimate counselor and His word is referenced and prayed from as part of the healing process.

I believe strength resides in all of us. I can and will be at times very blunt and to the point, but I do know that this is your life being discussed not mine. I have an inclusive feminist background and am comfortable working with all genders. I believe that laughter is the best medicine and that everyone is capable of living the best life possible. I live in a multi dog/cat/parrot household and odds are good you will not just hear them but may occasionally see them. No worries they don’t judge and have been sworn to HIPAA secrecy.