Grief Therapists in Naperville, IL

For over a decade I have worked with Adult and Adolescent Patients coping with various Life Challenges. I maintain a supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship with my Patients as they negotiate their identified challenge areas. Specific areas of focus within my practice are Life Stage Challenges; Grief and Loss; Fertility and Postpartum; and Anxiety and Depression. Over the last five years, I have incorporated Animal Assisted Psychotherapy with my Canine Co-therapists. While not all sessions are appropriate for Animal Assisted Psychotherapy, the addition of Canine Co-therapists has been met with positive feedback.

At some point, we all experience changes that are difficult to adjust to. They throw us off balance and everything can seem more confusing, upsetting, and overwhelming. These are life events that prompt processing and healing. I specialize in working with individuals who are feeling dissatisfied in their relationship and/or in the relationships in their life, contemplating a break-up/divorce, those who are struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one, as well as those who are having a hard time adjusting to recent changes and life events.

Throughout my career as a Social Worker, I specialized in treating individuals with co-occurring disorders, addiction, grief, and trauma. I utilize a variety of modalities, which include Eye Movement Desensitization (EMDR), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to treat the varying levels of individual needs.

I offer a calming and gentle approach to clients that enhances their comfort levels and allows for open discussion of problem areas. Together, we investigate the factors that cause and contribute to their issues. Together, we investigate coping skills and factors that will diminish symptoms and work toward resolution of these life issues. In the words of one client: "If what I have to say doesn't upset you, then maybe it isn't as bad as I feared." Mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, relationship conflicts as well as loss and grief issues are among my treatment specialties.

When life is overwhelming, I want to give you tools that can bring immediate relief. My approach is to tailor our work to your needs. Although I have worked with many clients with varying issues of all ages, my specialties include issues of grief/loss, chronic medical illnesses (cancer, diabetes), depression, anxiety, relationship issues, LGBTQ and fertility issues. I strive to help you concentrate on the present, focus on the future and explore the past to understand current behaviors and coping. I create a safe place where you can share and acquire more coping tools to adjust to life changes.

I believe healing is possible through an invitation to connect with your body, emotions, and thoughts. To build understanding about how your experiences, relationships, and culture have impacted your life. I seek to be a companion in the process of sharing your personal story as you sift through the well of your entire lived experience to discover your authentic voice. Together, we will use body based interventions, emotionally focused work, and brain-based approaches like EMDR to reclaim the chapters of your life where difficult experiences stole your sense of who you are, and nurture growth, healing, and overcome loneliness.

Donna aligns closely with Adlerian, Cognitive behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral therapy. Adlerian theory has been shown in research for treating multiple mental health conditions: anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenic, and substance abuse disorders. Adlerian theory suggests that people are driven by a need to feel that they matter, and they belong. How do you want to grow as a person, what are your dreams and goals? Donna is passionate about offering a non-judgmental, supportive environment to men, women, couples and children; ages four and up.

I believe you have have an inner strength that often goes unrecognized. Awareness of that inner strength will allow you to overcome the barriers that have prevented you from moving forward and improving your current situation. As your therapist I will assist you to take control of your therapy and explore the stressors and concerns in your life. I have experience working in adolescent outpatient settings, group homes and therapeutic foster care. I spent the last several years working with adult clients in outpatient settings who are in need of addictions counseling, domestic violence, depression, mood disorders, grief and loss, and crisis intervention.

My method is wholistic and compassionate counseling for individuals and couples. I try to create a safe harbor for change for adults dealing with life issues such as self-esteem, relationships, grief or loss, goal-setting and anxiety. I try to get people in touch with their own truth in a safe, non-judgmental, empathetic environment. I enjoy giving couples tools for resolving conflict and learning to fight fairly.

Practice devoted to concerns related to MCI, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias exclusively. I help care partners and significant others cope with the uncertainty a dementia diagnosis brings. My approach is empathetic and practical. Discussing feelings such as grief, anger, sadness and frustration can be very helpful in coping with the unwanted changes. I provide disease education about what to expect throughout the course of the disease. I also have expertise in care planning and can work with you to plan for the future and ensure that you are doing all you can for your loved one. Telehealth only. Weekend appt.'s available.

I believe in the innate dignity of all people, and the work I do as a counselor is to encourage and empower people to live up to their personal values and embrace a more abundant life. When I work with a client I meet them where they are, without judgment, and enter into a working relationship built on trust, empathy, vulnerability, and communication. I have a person-centered approach to therapy, meaning that I respect the people who walk into my office enough to trust them to make decisions for themselves. I believe change is inevitable, but also, often painful, but that doesn't mean we can't work to find hope and grace.

You matter, and so does your story. With empathy and compassion, I will listen and help guide you through your past and present experiences while providing a safe, trustworthy, and warm environment. My approach is integrated into your needs and what you are comfortable with. No matter what life experiences you have endured or are currently struggling with (relationship issues, trauma, grief, emotional distress, life transitions), I will provide space for you to heal and strengthen so you can become empowered to take charge of your own life.

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.

Life can be incredibly challenging and scary at times. Sometimes it can feel as if you are walking through it alone, unsure of which direction to head. Therapy is a great place to find direction. In therapy, I believe in the value of a supportive, trusting relationship between myself and my clients. My goal is to make sure my clients feel safe, comfortable, and understood. I feel that therapy is a partnership between therapist and client, working together while navigating through difficulties and struggles. I take pride in developing a strong relationship with my clients so that they feel confident in their treatment journey.

I work best with clients that are open to exploring their feelings and emotions in new ways. Grief support is my specialty and I also work with trauma, anticipatory grief, anxiety and depression. When I support grievers, we work together to determine how and if you'd like to honor your person that died, explore feelings around their death, and what life looks like now.

ONLINE COUNSELING AVAILABLE! Get counseling without going out. I specialized in remote online counseling. I have immediate openings for daytime, evening, and weekend appointments. My passion is working with individuals relating to grief and other life transitions; which include, employment exit strategies, career decisions while identifying gifts and talents, finding your life calling and coaching through life altering events. I am a excellent couples counselor and whether you are preparing for marriage or married, I can help you become better communicators and partners for life.

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy." - Brene Brown

Do you often doubt or criticize yourself? If so, you are not alone. Many people experience negative thoughts, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma (past or present), or a multitude of other challenges that can make life seem like a daily struggle. Therapy can ease the struggle and help make room in your life for joy. Like everyone, you need acceptance, support, and a safe space where you can be your authentic self (even if you are uncertain who that is). Within that space, we will partner together to help you use your strengths and live your values more fully, empowering you to heal and grow.

I believe each individual has the abitlity to change. Each individual has the ablitly to rise up to covercome the challenges that life presents. Sometimes this can be very hard. Therapy is a unique and collaborative process between a client and a therapist. I value the unique perspective and strengths of my clients. It is my aim to help each individual client utilize their strengths and develop additional skills to promote growth, change and resiliency for whatever challenges lie ahead.