EMDR Therapists in Belleville, IL

Therapy provides an opportunity to process, grow, and heal from various challenges in life. Everyone can benefit from support, especially during tough and trying times. Many individuals will prioritize other’s needs before their own. There is no better time to start therapy than today.

I am an attachment and trauma-informed therapist. This informs everything that I do with clients. Our first priority will be to establish trust, mutual respect, consistency, and predictability so that you begin to feel safe. We will help you discover your strengths and will create goals to help you become your "best self". I prefer to utilize a variety of approaches in therapy, including teaching about attachment and neuroscience, as well as mindfulness, coping skills, and how the body and brain work together to process our emotions.

I am an EMDR certified, women centered therapist who specializes in maternal mental health and post-traumatic stress disorder. I teach women to take care of themselves first so they can better care for others. Trained during my work at The Postpartum Stress Center, I treat women who struggle with trauma, postpartum adjustment, infertility, birth trauma, infant loss/miscarriage and adoption struggles. We strengthen the relationship to self, build a sense of emotional safety with others. We will shift the lens on the mommy myths, cultural expectations and perfectionistic standards which can cause overwhelm and shame.

I enjoy working with a variety of life stages( adolescent, adult, senior), with challenges that range from easily addressed life dilemmas to those who need longer term therapy for such issues as early abuse/neglect and PTSD. I believe that safety, trust, and time are necessary to help people to make significant movement toward wholeness, integration of self,and a more fulfilling life. Brain Body Research has proven that the body is adversely affected by Chronic/Severe Stress and Limiting Beliefs about self and one's life situation.

Whether you've been to a counselor before or this is your first time seeking help, I offer acceptance, openness, and inclusion to everyone. Some concerns I've helped others with include but are not limited to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and traits, trauma, abuse, sexuality, substance use, work stress, and caregiver stress.

Lately have you looked in the mirror and not recognized the person staring back? Perhaps, found yourself doing things that are out of character like yelling at your child(ren), significant other, or friends/other loved ones, or doing hurtful things to yourself or others and yet you don’t understand why. You tell yourself: (1) I am fine -after taking/responding to that 911/emergency call; (2) Yes, what I saw while deployed was horrible, but that is the nature of what we do and I am home now so everything is ok; or (3) Surely that loss or experience 10 years ago has no effect on me now, it’s in the past..... And yet here you are

Your story matters. And you are more than a story. People usually seek therapy when trying to make sense of a piece of their story or trying to create a new chapter. My approach to therapy seeks to hear your story as we both learn more about who you are and what matters to you. I love to help people improve their relationships with themselves and other. Neurodiversity-Affirming therapy for those with Autism, including women and teens, is my primary specialty. I also have specialization in recovery from mental health challenges such as Depression, self-harm, Borderline Personality, Bipolar Disorder and voice hearing/psychosis.

I help adults and adolescents who experience anxiety, depression, and challenges with communication reduce symptoms by improving upon current strengths and coping skills to build insight into symptoms experienced. My specialty areas include anxiety, PTSD, depression, grief, communication issues, and work-life balance. I offer openness and collaboration to those I work with and believe that a collaborative effort has a direct impact on benefits gained from counseling services.

We are all human. I know trauma on a personal level and treating trauma has become my passion. I use a client centered approach where you are the master of your own life; I am merely here to walk beside you as a guide and companion. My hope is to empower you to work through your trauma and life’s challenges. I am bilingual (Spanish and English) and offer in person counseling as well as online and over the phone.

Reaching out is never entirely easy, but post pandemic, options have opened. This is why we are providing services online to areas in Southern IL. These past few years we are facing more life stressors, multiple transitions and extra relational challenges. Coping in healthy ways is paramount to functioning well. We believe in resilience and hope to help you find yours. Join us online to return to your best self.

Maybe you have been to a therapist or two and haven't been able to dig as deep as you would like to go in order to move into your most authentic sense of being. Perhaps you struggle with a sense of purpose, self-esteem, have a sense of emptiness or loneliness, or are feeling confused about next steps. You will likely find me to be a good fit if you are looking to do deeper work to finally resolve pain from the past as opposed to merely coping with it. Our work will be guided by a vision of long-term mental health, growing into authenticity, and creating a sense of emotional freedom that you may not have experienced yet.

All of us encounter struggles as we meet the daily challenges in our lives. From time to time our journey seems to change direction, go backwards, or even stop. Often, we don't know what to do or where to start. All we really need is someone to help us understand where we are, and where we want to go. Talking to a therapist can help you rediscover your journey, overcome personal issues, and work towards emotional health and well-being. Allow me to assist you on your journey, as you become the person you want to be.

Currently not taking new clients. Take your first step to wellness. I believe in providing a place of compassion and confidentiality where you can share your personal concerns and struggles. I provide assistance to help you improve on those areas that seem to be holding you from living a fulfilled and happy life. With over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families, I will assist you in reaching your goals for a better future.

Do you get caught in a rollercoaster of thoughts about what you “should” be doing with your life? Do you need help meeting deadlines for work projects? When your alarm blares in the morning, do you grumble, put your head under the covers, and wish you could sleep all day? If so, you are not alone. Life is increasingly more complicated, which makes it difficult to complete everyday tasks, not to mention trying to achieve your more aspirational goals. Therapy is a safe, non-judgmental space to be open about your past and present challenges. Therapy is about being willing to take action to create positive changes in your life.