Women's Issues Therapists in Loop, Chicago, IL

I work with individuals, couples, and families struggling with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, addiction issues (substance abuse), troubled teens, school failure, LGBTQ+, and trauma and identity issues. As a lifelong allied and friend to the LGBTQ+ community, I work very hard to remain current to concerns that are specific to marginalized communities. I tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique needs. I will work with you to think outside of the box and build strength through our therapeutic relationship.

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist committed to treating individuals with a wide range of presenting issues, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, women's issues , and early relationship struggles/trauma. Trained in an integrative model, I tailor the treatment to fit each client's unique strengths and challenges. Moreover, I appreciate the need for efficient, cost-effective treatment, beginning with a focus on behavioral change and moving into analysis of emotion, thoughts, and past experiences only as needed.

Beginning therapy can feel difficult or come with a lot of unknown. That's why it is an honor for me to work with my clients and foster a space that is non-judgmental, warm, safe, and collaborative. I view the therapeutic relationship as very sacred and one that allows people to explore areas of life that may be challenging or new. I work with individual adults, young adults, teens and children. Additional clinical areas I focus on include feelings of anxiety and depression, experiencing life transitions, women's issues , identify development, relationship challenges and more.

Entering an intimate space with yourself is no easy task. But with the help of someone you trust, it makes the journey a bit easier to embrace. It is my belief that my job as a therapist is to help my clients connect the dots within their lives to enhance their mental health. This is done by unpacking, exploring and examining roadblocks from our past that are preventing us from being present in the present. This type of awareness helps to foster continual growth & grants access to understanding the story behind our behaviors.

I strive to use interventions that meet the specific needs of my clients in a safe, comfortable, and nonjudgmental way. I often use a cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT) in psychotherapy as I help my clients adjust and overcome maladaptive thinking patterns and behaviors. I also utilize dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and other therapeutic modalities as a way of teaching clients important coping techniques to manage their stress and navigate their challenges. My goal is to help my clients learning healthy ways of living and a positive mindset to overcome challenges.

I am honored to accompany people on the very personal journey of growth & healing. Life is not easy; it takes courage to share your vulnerabilities in order to unpack hurt, identify inner strengths & hope, and create solutions towards change. My first step is to truly understand your experiences, your perspective on the world, and the unique intersecting identities you bring into the therapeutic space so that I may offer insights or strategies specific to your situation & personality. I frequently treat self-esteem, shame, identity or relationship concerns, women's issues , codependency, and those with a history of family violence.

You spend a substantial amount of time pretending to have it all figured out, but inside you struggle with feeling flawed, unusual, or broken, and you imagine that no one around you can really understand what this feels like. It might look like despising the body that you exist in and feeling like your only option is to change it. It might look like feeling like your insecurities are crushing you, and impacting how you interact with others. It might look like struggling after hearing your partner had an affair, not knowing how you will emotionally recover. You want a therapist who can hold your hand and remind you of your own light.

I believe life becomes a gift when we are able to recognize and accept our true self, and facilitates this process by helping clients understand how their past has shaped them to be the beautiful and unique individuals they are. A quote that I live by and utilizes in my practice with clients is “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at will start to change.” This involves identifying and connecting experiences that will ultimately lead to greater self-awareness and appreciation and help create a new view of life that will foster positive life choices and continual growth.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me! My ideal clients are looking for a strength-based approach where they are more than a "psychiatric diagnosis." My clients come from many backgrounds - they are children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families - and are dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, women’s issues, anger management, ADHD, autistic spectrum disorder, addiction issues, couples therapy, and working through LGBTQ+ issues. I partner with my clients in the change process and empower them through using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and other tailored approaches.

I have had 30+ years of counseling experience with individuals, couples and in support groups mainly in medical settings helping people and their families cope with cancer and other difficult medical diagnosis. My other specialties include working with people around issues related to self esteem, communication, relationship improvement, identity, life transitions, and women's issues . I have special interest in working with couples and running support groups as well.

I work with a wide range of clients dealing with issues related to depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, grief/loss, anger management, young adult issues, women's issues , mood disorders, self-injury, identity, life changes/transitions, relationship difficulties, work/life balance, and empowerment. I can be a part of driving your change forward as we explore your goals, build a firm commitment to your future, and take the power back in your life to make and maintain those changes.

I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Political Science and my Masters in Arts: Social Work from the University of Chicago. I received my doctorate in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I am a licensed clinical social worker and have worked in many settings from community mental health and crisis intervention to victim advocacy. I am a trained medical/legal sexual assault advocate and a trained domestic violence counselor. I completed my psychology internship at the Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School in a program in Asian Mental Health and Child Psychotherapy.

I believe that successful therapy begins with finding the right therapist - sometimes a daunting task. I understand that everyone is unique, and I am here to listen compassionately and non-judgmentally. I genuinely enjoy helping clients to identify changes they want to make and supporting them in taking effective steps toward those changes. Also, I bring to therapy a lens that acknowledges the impact of systems on the health and well-being of clients. My bi-cultural background and commitment to anti-racist practices allows for a therapy space that works toward equity and justice.

Have you been feeling stuck or feel overrun by your emotions at times? In a safe and judgement-free relationship where you can first feel heard and understood, I can help you more fully understand the unhelpful relational, emotional, and/or thinking patterns that may need adjusting in order to help you live the life you'd like to live. I will offer support, direct feedback, & coping strategies to provide you with skills and more immediate relief, while we work toward increased insight and improved self-awareness, achieving lasting growth and change.

NOW accepting new clients! We are here to support you. Life Aligned Counseling offers individual and couples counseling services. Our team of therapists has experience in a wide variety of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, loss and grief, relationship issues, self-esteem and self-concept, family conflict, stress management, spirituality, significant life transitions, women's issues , men's issues, etc.

I provide individual psychotherapy to Adults, Emerging Adults, and College Students. As we partner together I will offer a combination of reflection and tools to help you feel better and experience meaningful long term change. My warm, collaborative approach is one that values diversity and honors the individual experiences of those with whom I work. I believe in utilizing your strengths and natural capacity for growth.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and work with emerging adults and adults across the life span experiencing anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship concerns, women's issues , stress, and self-esteem concerns, among many other difficulties. I believe people come to therapy for all kinds of reasons, often with a common theme of being stuck in some way. It is a privilege to guide people on a journey of becoming "unstuck," helping them cultivate a path of healing, wellness, growth and greater self-understanding.