Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum Therapists in Evanston, IL

Life can be full of transitions, challenge, and change. Sometimes it helps to have a safe and nonjudgmental place to work through what’s been on your mind. I strive to provide a caring, compassionate environment for that process. I’ll partner with you to help you come to your own insights, and we’ll work on noticing patterns and what is behind them. We’ll also work on identifying your unique strengths and how those can help you move toward positive change.

Through individualized care and a strong therapeutic relationship, I believe clients can better understand their unique strengths and feel empowered in their lives. Using trauma-informed care and harm reduction strategies, I want clients to feel safe, affirmed, and well-informed when making the best choices for themselves.

I work with individuals and families addressing a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma recovery, life transitions, infertility, pregnancy and postpartum , parenthood, grief and loss. I believe that we have everything we need to heal and change. I think of therapy as one tool we can use to access our inherent wisdom and ability to thrive. People I work with have described me as warm, sincere, non judgmental, and noticed that I bring a sense of humor and calm to the therapy space.

Starting therapy can be trying process, and often what's important is finding the right fit between a therapist and a client. Once therapy begins, it can be an incredible resource where an individual may regain a sense of balance and peace of mind, build more satisfying relationships, develop more effective communication, as well as find the sense of direction and meaning that allows one to thrive. I also work as a forensic expert in women’s reproductive mental health and consult with legal counsel on criminal cases that are relevant to an experience in the postpartum period, this includes murder, infanticide, neonatacide.

I am a licensed psychotherapist with a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago, where I studied clinical social work. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults on a wide range of clinical issues including anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, addiction, and trauma. I am passionate about perinatal mental health and have several years experience working with new parents as they navigate the complex issues associated with planning, pregnancy , and parenthood.

The decision to engage in psychotherapy is deeply personal and individual to each of us. Many of us find ourselves repeating interpersonal patterns within relationships and thinking, "why does this keep happening?" Or battling feelings of self doubt and curious how the past shapes our current experiences. Maybe you are a new parent or currently pregnant, overwhelmed with this tremendous life transition and bewildered by the intensity of your emotions.

Where is my life going? How do I get back to being me after having a baby? How do I support my teenager or young adult child? Now that I am finished with college, what's next? These are questions that my clients often ask. In our work together we will make a plan towards finding your authentic self, achieve personal goals and build healthier boundaries and relationships. I am a social worker with 13 years of experience working with clients of all ages.

My goal is to provide you with a safe and comfortable space where together we can cultivate a path toward greater fulfillment. I will honor your individuality and capitalize on what is already working for you, so you can utilize this as your foundation for building greater insight and more effective skills. My style is warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. I consider it an honor to sit with my clients during their hardest times and witness their journey toward a healthier and more positive future.

I believe that most of the time we work through life's ups and downs on our own. But, sometimes life becomes difficult to manage. Changes and challenges can become overwhelming and increase feelings of vulnerability, stress or anxiety. Other times, we just feel stuck. Therapy can be a helpful step towards feeling better. I enjoy working with clients to help them regain balance and perspective. We'll work together at your pace to explore feelings and experiences while challenging what may no longer be effective. I'll provide your extra support, guidance or motivation in a warm, safe environment.

I am currently accepting only clients who need short-term, crisis support as my practice is full. I support people under pressure, whether the source is professional, medical, or relational. I spent a decade supporting families and professionals managing high risk pregnancy and reproductive mood complications by staffing all units and clinics affiliated with a women's hospital. I have accompanied thousands of people managing high stakes medical decisions, illness or demise, caregiver fatigue in patients or professionals, infertility, and marital conflict.

In practice for 20 years, I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified sex therapist specializing in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders as a starting place. Often underlying these disorders are issues with relationship patterns and stress related to stage of life transitions in both the personal and professional realms. In addition, I have expertise providing support during the prenatal and postpartum period, treating sexual health/functioning concerns, working through grief, loss and the challenge of infertility. Other ares of specialization include working with new mothers over 40 and young adults.

Each and every person is born with unique strengths and vast potential to achieve. Oftentimes, though, life's challenges get in the way. It may be external stressors, traumatic experiences or our own dysfunctional thoughts and patterns of behavior that make it difficult to live a satisfying and fulfilling life. Entering into a therapeutic relationship of acceptance and trust can serve as a turning point for achieving growth and change.

I’m glad you came upon my profile in your search for a skilled and effective therapist. I have extensive experience working with people who are facing stressful life events that lead to depression, anxiety, and a general feeling of sadness or being stuck. I use a comprehensive approach while focusing on all aspects of your life to help you cope as you are experiencing challenges related to infertility, grief and loss, pregnancy , newborn parenting adjustment, parenting children and teens with special needs, adjusting to medical complexity, job stress including classroom and first responder trauma, life transition and general anxiety and depression.

Are you anxious, scared or sad? Do you struggle with uncertainty and feeling powerless to change? Are you struggling with changes in your life, pregnancy , birth, motherhood, loss of a loved one, or chronic pain? Life does not have to be this way. I will be with you on your journey to take small steps that reframe, change your thoughts and than behaviors. Together we can clarify your wants, needs & goals to reframe the narrative of your life. We will work together to identify and practice therapuetic tools that can increase self-confidence and compassion.

I specialize in working with individuals, relationships, and families who present to therapy with a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, couple/family conflicts, parenthood, and life transitions. I have a special interest in working with mothers/birthing individuals who are struggling with issues related to perinatal mental health such as infertility, pregnancy loss, and prenatal / postpartum anxiety and depression. I have completed the Postpartum Support International and 2020 Mom Professional Maternal Mental Health Certificate Training course.

Sometimes, life feels too stressful. Perhaps you picture the worst case scenario, worrying about what could happen. Maybe you struggle to prioritize your needs or find it hard to say no. You may feel frustrated that your relationships are not what you hoped for and you feel stuck in how to set boundaries. You might feel overwhelmed by daily responsibilities, as well as professional and personal decision-making. You might feel anxious or depressed by pregnancy , postpartum , or parenting. Together, we can understand not only what is contributing to your stress, but how to make changes, choices and decisions for a more fulfilling life.