Culturally Sensitive Therapists in Saint Charles, IL
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Karen Hammond
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, DSW, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Are you living with anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress or some other mental health issue? Welcome! I have a passion for bringing healing and improving individual's ability to fully embrace life. My goal is to meet each client where they currently are on their journey, with no judgement, using customized treatment while providing guidance to help clients find relief from the challenges they are experiencing. I look forward to working with you to enhance your quality of life.

Maggie Lassar
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My belief is the foundation of therapy is a safe, trusting, and authentic therapeutic relationship. I walk alongside my clients throughout the process of self-exploration and healing. Although therapy can be hard, scary, and extremely messy, my hope is that we can muddle through it together!
Not accepting new clients

Dr. Cesar Pajarillo
Licensed Professional Counselor, DMin, EdD, LPC, NCC
Verified
Verified
Cesar is trained in numerous therapeutic orientations that are grounded in the latest research in the field of mental health which enables him to personalize his treatment approach to the specific needs and goals of the individual. His training is focused on trauma and he specializes in treating clients with combat and non-combat-related issues such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, complex grief, attachment and reactive disorders, among others. He served as a Clinical Combat Chaplain in the US Army and as a forensic mental health clinician at a county jail for several years prior to private practice.
Waitlist for new clients

Carol Elendt
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, NCC, MA
Verified
Verified
It takes courage to begin therapy, and I would be honored to step into this process with you. My desire is to provide empathic therapy for adults, adolescents, and children who are experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma symptoms, or relationship issues. For people experiencing loss, you will find a safe space to grieve. I enjoy working with clients who have diverse beliefs and also offer a Christian perspective for those seeking a faith-focused therapist.

Jill Thorson
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MA
Verified
Verified
I see counseling as a space where we can collaborate towards your goals for therapy- whether that’s processing current challenges, recovering from past trauma, or exploring your future. I received my Master’s Degree in Social Work from Dominican University and for the past decade I have continued to discover new methods to assist my clients.

Joy Pascoe
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, Type 73
Verified
Verified
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified School Social Worker. Joy enjoys working with children, adults, seniors, and multicultural populations.

Emily Frey
Psychologist, PsyD, LCP, LCPC
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
Do you feel like you're stuck? Or that it is difficult to manage your life or emotions? It is not easy to take the first step in seeking therapy but it can honestly change your life in the ways you are hoping. If you are struggling to find energy, motivation, quality relationships, or purpose, now is the time to take that first step to help yourself. This includes developing the capacity for emotion regulation, learning to self-soothe, assertiveness training, and building insight into the self. Dr. Emily Frey provides a warm, genuine, empathic environment for clients, while fostering sensitivity and vulnerability.

Anna McCaffrey
MSEd, LCPC, NCC
Verified
Verified
When confronted by a triggering event or stuck by life’s challenges, it can be easy to feel consumed by anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns. However, these challenges also provide you with an opportunity for growth. It takes a lot of courage to recognize your desire to seek change. By joining you where you are on this part of your journey, I will encourage you to become an active participant in your healing process.

Lori Ashbaugh
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Lori brings a holistic perspective to mental health. She understands that healing is dynamic and provides a mind-body-spirit approach. Lori specializes in clinical hypnosis which can bring about profound changes in many areas of a person’s life. Lori also specializes in EMDR, Pet Therapy, cognitive-behavioral and movement therapy. Lori offers an accepting and non-judgmental environment welcome to those of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, and gender identities. Lori treats clients of all ages. Lori has a Masters in Clinical Social Work from the U. of North Dakota.

Lauren Matovu
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
Verified
There are times when life can feel overwhelming and as though the heaviness is too much to carry. Taking this first step in your journey of healing and emotional health takes courage, and I am here to remind you that you do not have to journey alone. I'm committed to coming alongside you, as you set goals and explore what it means to experience healing and growth.

Megan Orr
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CCTP
Verified
Verified
Whether you are looking for a safe space to explore your gender or sexuality, manage anxiety or heal trauma, continue reading. Whether these are issues that are impacting you personally or as a couple, you will have a non-judgmental space to work on them as we partner to find solutions for you. If you experiencing grief or loss, we can process and find tools to help you get through it. If you are struggling with your self-image, I will help you look for your truth. I also provide LCSW supervision and enjoy providing therapy to other therapists.
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Laura Kowalski
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC
Verified
Verified
Ever feel like life is not going how you expected it to? We often have expectations of how we should be feeling or what our life should be like, and our reality doesn’t always match up. This can result in uncomfortable feelings like anxiety, sadness, disappointment, or stress. While these feelings may not be comfortable, they are a part of our lives. Whether you have been feeling this way for a while or just recently, the fact that you are reading this probably means that you have decided to seek help.
Not accepting new clients

Lindsey Kovalik Bianchini
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW, LISW-CP
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
Do you or you child ever feel constantly worried or afraid? Do you or you child ever feel hopeless, helpless, or feel unlovable? I will provide you with a safe place, a listening ear, and an open mind. I am laid back and open minded, and work to meet you/your child where you/they are at in your/their mental health journey. My goal as a therapist is to assist you or your child understand the emotions you may be experiencing, and aid you in creating and finding tools that will benefit and support you.

Jean Hendrix
Counselor, MA, LCPC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My name is Jean Hendrix and I specialize in trauma informed therapy. Are you experiencing issues related to anxiety, depression, stress, or past trauma? Do you have a special needs or gifted child and need to talk to a therapist who understands? Do you want to improve your interpersonal relationships? I connect with clients with humor, warmth, insight, empathy and compassion. My ideal client is highly motivated to participate in sessions and work towards goals. Therapy can enhance your life. I consider it a privilege to empower clients to achieve their highest potential and lead a satisfying life.

Kristin Hultgren
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MA, LCPC, CTMH
Verified
Verified
After 10 years in marketing, I pursued my calling to work with individuals, couples and families as they re-imagine their lives and relationships. Together, we address concerns like anxiety, chronic illness, grief, marital issues and family conflict. I also work with postpartum depression including traumatic births and parents of children with special needs. I know that taking a step into the unknown can be scary and overwhelming, but I believe that beginning this journey will change your life.

Elizabeth Bakula
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Utilizing a compassionate, non-judgmental, and collaborative approach, I work with clients to increase self-awareness and identify and express emotions and develop healthy coping skills in order to build a more positive relationship with themselves and those around them. I believe therapy is a shared experience in which we talk through the difficult topics together in order to find healing. I utilize a Relational approach, to help adults identify patterns of relationships throughout their lives while identifying positive support systems.

Ashley M Starwood
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
Self-discovery is a journey that many people find themselves struggling to understand. There is a complexity to human relationships that can further complicate this journey. I want to help you find the love and the light within your relationships and self in order to help you create and mold a better YOU.

Shawn Léon Nowotnik
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Making the decision to seek help can be a monumental task and selecting the right therapist can be challenging. I can provide you with a therapeutic relationship that will feel safe and collaborative so that it can serve as the basis for healing. My goal is to work with you in assessing your strengths, exploring challenges, working to overcome barriers, and returning you to a peaceful and productive state. I will work with you to create a treatment plan that suits your personality and needs. Sometimes, all you need are the right words at the right time to change how you see the world…including yourself.

Danielle Slyder
Counselor, LCPC, ATR
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Danielle is here to empower families and adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma reactions, ADHD, behavioral issues, and many other struggles. Danielle supports individuals with whom need support surrounding gender and sexual orientation (LGBTQ+ community). She also has experience working with individuals whom are in foster care or have been adopted.

Alisha Rybicki Barnum
Counselor, MA, LCPC, NCC, CCTP
Verified
5 Endorsed
Verified
5 Endorsed
My professional emphasis is women's wellbeing and relationship wellbeing. I am passionate about working with women who are struggling with infertility, perinatal mental wellness, hardships and loss, post-partum anxiety and depression. Whether you are a SAHM or working mom, trying to balance the role of motherhood while attending to other responsibilities can be challenging.
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Culturally Sensitive Therapists
How does culturally sensitive therapy work?
A culturally sensitive therapist will tailor their approach to therapy based on the individual client’s background. This may include changing their style of interaction (asking open-ended questions vs. being the “expert” voice), their affect (seeming warm or “neutral”), how much personal information they disclose about themselves, and more. It’s also important for a culturally sensitive therapist to acknowledge larger societal forces that may impact their client due to the client’s background.
How effective is culturally sensitive therapy?
Some professionals have expressed concern about highlighting cultural differences in therapy, suggesting that it might promote stereotypes and harm the therapeutic bond; however, many experts agree that cultural sensitivity tends to strengthen the connection between therapist and client and help clients feel heard and understood. A culturally sensitive approach to therapy can be especially helpful for those not in the cultural majority, especially when combined with proven therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
What are the limitations of a culturally sensitive approach to therapy?
While being culturally sensitive is generally a valuable skill to have, a therapist cannot treat every client from a similar background the same way. Each client is an individual with their own values, personal preferences, and life experiences that will need to be explored during therapy. In addition, it’s rare for a therapist and client to have identical backgrounds, so there may be some cross-cultural differences to navigate during therapy, but a culturally sensitive therapist can do so with empathy and respect.
Can culturally sensitive therapy be done online?
Yes, online therapy using a culturally sensitive approach can be beneficial. Therapy can sometimes be difficult to access for clients from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic standing. The array of mental health support available through the internet makes it possible for clients to find a good therapist match regardless of where they live.