Attachment-based Therapists in Crystal Lake, IL

Whether you are going through an important transition or need extra support as you navigate everyday life, it is worth remembering that everyone needs help sometimes. Being a wife for the last 16 years and a mom for the last 20 years has given me the opportunity to experience the richness of family life including teen parenthood, marriage, parenthood, life cycle transitions, blended family dynamics, anxiety and stress related challenges. Challenges create strength and it is my passion to help others sift through the inevitable challenges of life to cultivate understanding and clarity and the ability to move forward with strength.

I believe therapy is an opportunity to create a new path toward living a meaningful life. Often struggles or hardships we experience push us into following old patterns that may not fit our values or how we want to effectively live our lives. It can also be space to understand how we can be more fulfilled or effective in our many roles. I specialize in treating trauma and whether the event happened a month ago, or 20 years ago, there are effective, evidence-based strategies we can use to grow beyond that harm. I also enjoy working with people in the areas of self-esteem, anxiety, attachment, relationships, & LGBTQIA+ issues.

My training and work have included individual and family therapy in an out-patient setting, as well as three consecutive years of providing therapy to children and their families in therapeutic day schools. I have training in working with children who are neurodivergent, with diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. I also find great joy in helping people of all ages with trauma, mood disorders, relationship conflicts, life adjustments, or difficulties with grief and loss. I practice therapy that is affirming of all identities, orientations, and cultures.

Starting therapy is a life changing experience that requires a safe, non-judgmental, and empathetic approach to begin the healing process. I've worked with many adolescents and adults to address various mental health and substance use issues. I view "issues" and "problems" as external from the individual and the problem at hand is comprised of many different factors that require different types of interventions. Therefore, my approach is to motivate my clients to start addressing each factor based on their own needs and goals.