Therapists in Crystal Lake, IL

Hello and welcome! It is not easy searching for a counselor. You can be weighed down by not only this task, but the many powers at be preventing you from moving forward. I'm here to tell you that a lot of times we give many stressful variables a lot of power. We give so much power in fact, that you're not able to unpack what is real and what is the mind creating barriers to success and true joy. These variables can take many forms including addictions, depression, past traumatic events, and anxiety, especially related to future transitions. Most significantly, we lose a sense of who we are and what we have to offer others.

E-MAIL is the best way to reach me! Life is a journey, and sometimes that journey can be extremely painful. I believe that you have what it takes to find your way through. Whether your journey has taken you through childhood abuse, sexual trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, or you are just trying to get through a rough time, I believe in you. I take a strength-based approach to successfully navigating challenging circumstances as an individual or family. I will support you and your family with empathy and perspective. I am extremely objective and work well with families in crisis.

After spending 14 years learning about the human brain and mind, was trained extensively in various treatments, and working since 2009 at almost all settings, I learned to focus on what you personally struggle with. There are much more to us than having a disorder. Therefore, I listen to you and know you well in order to tailor the treatment plan that fits you the most. My end goal, besides eliminating the undesirable symptoms, is helping you finding your own path and having a better quality of life. I also teach graduate students what they need to know to make the right diagnosis and apply the best most optimal treatment for it.

It is my goal to provide a safe and collaborative space where you can fully express your thoughts, feelings, doubts, and desires. I deeply respect all people and their unique identities and experiences. I listen carefully to make sure I fully understand and then work in partnership and support to develop goals and plans. It is my hope that everyone I meet with feels accepted and comfortable throughout our journey together.

I believe that every person possesses innate creativity and that art can serve as a powerful tool for communication and self-exploration within the therapeutic space. As an emerging art therapist and counselor, I seek to build a collaborative and affirming relationship with my clients to encourage the journey of discovery, healing, and personal growth. I use an eclectic approach, incorporating existentialist, Adlerian, and person-centered theories from an anti-oppressive and liberatory lens to support clients in building skills and gaining insight.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Immediate Availability - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - My work focuses on laying the foundation for individuals to create a safe and inclusive space during sessions while focusing on emotional healing. I believe therapy works best when it’s collaborative. We’ll work together to identify strengths, increase insight, and change any troubling thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I specialize in working with depression, anxiety, behavioral concerns, neurodiversity, as well as trauma and abuse. I also enjoy working with the LGBTQ community.

I welcome all kinds of clients to my practice, and I'm lucky to work with clients from 19-89 (so far!). My clients are often focused on feeling and functioning better through an exploration of their identities, histories, current situations and goals for the future. I particularly enjoy working with people on issues of depression and/or anxiety, changes in body size and/or ability, chronic pain, trauma, gender and sexuality issues, work and life transitions, aging, stress management, and parenting challenges. My work centers around fostering awareness of and compassion for yourself in moving through everyday life.

With a background in community organizing, my passion lies in being able to offer mental health resources and services for all, prioritizing support for trauma recovery and the LGBTQ+ community. I welcome clients who desire a safe, supportive space to freely express themselves and are motivated to develop coping tools and relationships while working on exploring each life domain. Ideally we will work through difficult traumas together, cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and a sense of purpose, ultimately leading to a fulfilling healing journey toward positive mental health.

Life can be challenging, and everyone has times when they feel overwhelmed and need some support. In my work, I provide a caring, nonjudgmental environment for adolescents, adults, couples, and families to speak openly about their lives and to explore their true selves. Therapy is meant to be collaborative, so picture me as a trusted guide walking beside you as you face what comes next. I specialize in working with young people, polyamorous/nonmonogamous people, and folks in the LGBTQIA+ community. NOTE: I AM currently taking new adolescent, couple, or family clients!

If you identify as LGBTQIA+, femme, and/ or a person of color you may be facing obstacles or concerns in your life that are heavy on your mind. The weight of your worries may be leaving you feeling sad, frustrated, afraid or even angry. It may feel bigger than what you have time for right now, causing you to hold back when you want to say something. It may be more and more difficult to disclose any of these feelings to anyone without falling apart. It’s okay to feel sadness, frustration or anger and it is okay to take time to talk about it. You can learn to allow room for all of your feelings.

Telehealth sessions available; I currently have openings. With our everyday stressors, life will leave you feeling as if you are unreachable & helpless. I'm honored to work with ALL people that are looking for support & desire a change in their life. I support clients who are dealing with anxiety, depression, OCD, eating disorders (including binge eating disorder) to reconnect my clients with their lives & to get unstuck, this I'm committed to. There are many struggles that often contribute greatly to our anxiety & make it challenging for us to focus on the here & now. I offer credit counseling. My You Tube Channel: bit.ly/3MOGd2D

I value collaboration within the therapeutic space in efforts to overcome adversity. I bring a sense of curiosity, empathy, and authenticity into my sessions in effort to let clients know that I am invested in what they have to say. I understand the importance of social and racial justice within therapy and I make sure my clients feel supported. Taking a client's culture, family background, and inter-generational patterns and trauma into account is a vital part of my approach. The act of opening yourself up to the therapeutic process can be scary and vulnerable. I strive to create a sense of safety within that vulnerability.

My primary goal for my clients is to achieve healing on the deepest level. As an Adlerian trained therapist, I utilize psychodynamic as well as alternative modalities to explore, transform and heal those perceptions and beliefs that may be negatively impacting their lives. Whether it's one on one, couples, or group therapy, I am actively participating, encouraging, and guiding my clients so they feel safe and supported to examine and process their deepest emotional wounds.

Are your feelings of sadness and anxiety preventing you from enjoying life? Are you struggling with relationship difficulties or life transitions? Do you feel stuck? Do you desire closeness and greater intimacy with your partner/spouse? Do you want to improve your communications? You are not alone. Seeking therapy is the 1st step toward achieving a more satisfying life and/or relief from suffering. The decision to seek therapy can be difficult but helpful when we are overwhelmed by life experiences and unhappy with relationships in our lives. Treatment is confidential. My office is located in a private, safe & comfortable setting.

I'm a psychologist who's caring and direct. I use compassion, wisdom and humor to help clients understand and deal with problems in a way that's respectful and honors their unique situation. My style is grounded in the belief that promoting an individual's innate desire and ability to move forward in life is the key to progress in therapy. If you're feeling overwhelmed in life, dealing with something you find increasingly hard to handle and are ready to make a change, I can help. Please consider calling me to begin exploring a new way to live.