Trauma and PTSD Therapists in 60554

In addition to treating children, adolescents and adults with depression and anxiety, I have extensive training and experience in play therapy, particularly with children who have witnessed or directly experienced trauma (including childhood sexual abuse, parental murder, parental suicide, and child pornography), and chronic illness including childhood cancer and diabetes. I am developing an expertise with children who express gender variance. I enjoy working with women around issues of stress and life balance. I am passionate about therapy and supervision work with other therapists who are experiencing compassion fatigue.

"Most people come to counseling to find out what's wrong with them. I say, come on in, have a seat, and let's find out what's right with you". My belief is that the human capacity for healing is limitless. I also believe trauma can be healed. My specialty is working with trauma, PTSD, and Anxiety. My strength is in treating people according to their need and getting to the root of the issues bothering them.

I have experience working with a wide range of different diagnoses including; Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder, and ASPD. I work with clients from ages 12 and up. I have helped clients manage major life transitions, relationship problems, grief and loss, and other life challenges. I use a multicultural lens when working with each client. I see each client as an expert of their lived experience. For me, therapy as a collaborative process in which I help clients achieve their own goals.

With 15+ years' experience as a school social worker and a clinical social worker, I am familiar with IEP and RTI procedures, best practices and certified staff evaluation procedures. I operate from a Christian foundation and am direct, honest and caring. I work with adolescents and adults to address issues relating to emotional regulation, behaviors, and decision making, and parenting, as well as supportive therapy during stressful life changes allowing the client to develop and implement strategies. I earned a Doctorate in 2014 with a dissertation entitled "A Systems Approach to Workplace Bullying in the K-12 Public Educational Setting".

Life can be full of fun as well as challenges. Even with all of the podcasts or self-help books available, none are a manual for your life, right? I have experience and enjoy working with individuals across the life span in age and issues. My areas of focus include but are not limited to Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Perinatal Mood Disorders. In session, we will discuss goals, expectations, and outline steps to apply to everyday-life situations. I am here for the hard stuff, the good stuff and the in-between stuff. If you are curious to find out if we would work well together, schedule a free 15 minute consultation using the link!

Life throws curve balls at us. A relationship disintegrates, a son or daughter goes astray, the career that seemed so promising, isn't. Life doesn't work out like we planned. But you don't have to stay stuck – in a dead marriage, a dead-end job, or constant defeat. There are better options than waiting, wishing, and hoping. Underneath whatever is wrong with you, something is actually very right. Your feelings make sense once you understand the events and people who shaped you. And with compassionate understanding your life can be transformed from the inside out.

Life can be difficult and frustrating. Our lives can become messy and complicated. But there is hope. I am dedicated to walking alongside of others to help them find hope and make some sense of their life and experiences. I sincerely believe that counseling gives an individual the opportunity to experience significant growth and healing through a greater personal awareness and understanding of themselves and the world around them.

I have a passion for working with members of the military, first responders, and their loved ones. I strive to assist my clients in any way and enhance their overall well-being. I have a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Benedictine University. I am working on completing my Masters in Social Work at Aurora University with an estimated completion date of May 2024.

Are you looking for a therapist you can be real with? My therapeutic approach is nonjudgmental and focused. I use evidence-based practices that meet the clients where they are at emotionally. I am easy-going and interactive, and I strive to make my clients as comfortable as possible. By providing a safe environment, I allow for shifts in therapy as needed, enabling clients to be vulnerable, open, and honest.