Native American Therapists in Pontiac, IL

Private Psychotherapist & Consultant, licensed as a clinical professional counselor and learning behavior specialist with 16+ years experience, serving people on the gifted, talented, twice-exceptional (2e), professional, public-figure, straight, LGBTQIA+, anxiety, depressive, bipolar, obsessive, ethically non-monogamous, ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent spectrums. If you (or someone you love) feel overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, depressed, misunderstood, fed up, sad, etc.—or you simply desire to work with a person who facilitates more optimal functioning and genuine wellbeing—then please call or email to check for an opening.

To me, therapy is about seeking wholeness; it is a journey of more fully integrating our minds, bodies, & souls. Many of us live trapped in patterns & scripts that weigh us down & that keep us from living full, authentic lives. As a trauma-informed therapist (& former spiritual director), I take into consideration the whole person, noting that past or ongoing traumas, wounds, & injustices shape the way we understand and engage with ourselves and the world. I help clients draw connections between formative past experiences & current ones in order to identify & shift those relational patterns & ongoing struggles.

Many people struggle with feeling lost and directionless or anxious about their ability to cope with life on life’s terms. For some people, these feelings can linger and become the painful lens through which you see yourself and the world. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With care and support, you can become more confident and loving toward yourself. You might even wake up one day and realize that instead of needing to read the instructional manual for life, you are ready to write your own. However, you might need some rough drafts and edits first. That is where therapy comes in.

Trauma can make you feel like someone has robbed you of your innocence, purpose, sense of belonging, your voice, and ability to feel safe in your own body. You might be searching for a sense of control, but feeling completely powerless. You escape into activities or relationships in order to feel anything at all and other times to make the feelings stop all together. You may have developed parts of yourself in order to survive, but what would life look like if you could shed old scripts and truly live a life that’s worth living?

Getting started in therapy can feel like a challenging first step to feeling better. At our practice, we strive to make this a smooth transition where you will feel heard and understood. Our primary goal is focused on developing and maintaining a safe, open, empathetic, and trusting dynamic with each client. Together we can move through difficult or challenging life experiences in a warm and accessible way.

Karaleigh obtained her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and went on to doctoral program. Karaleigh provides telehealth and individual counseling to adults. Karaleigh has extensive experience in providing therapy to those with complex and chronic PTSD, difficulty managing stress, suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety, trauma, and mood disorders. Karaleigh is trained in many empirically based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral, Solution Focused and has training with the Center for Deployment Psychology. She understands the importance of meeting you where you are at.

Along the journey through life challenges are inevitable and there aren't always easy or clear answers about why things happen and what to do about them. We want our lives and life itself to have value, meaning and purpose; and finding or creating these things for ourselves can be confusing, frustrating and even scary. However, finding our deeper reason(s) in life can also be rewarding, exciting and empowering experience that provides the hope, courage, strength and tenacity needed to face life's challenges. Having the courage to begin this process and asking for support along the way doesn't mean you're weak, it makes you strong!

I'm Albe (she/her/ella), also known as Miss Albe, a bilingual (English/Spanish) art therapist working with individuals and groups among Chicago’s various LGBTQIA+ and Spanish-speaking communities. I view therapy as a collaborative experience designed to enhance personal insight, coping skills, & communication techniques through various avenues of self-expression. I am a kink and poly aware therapist with a strong background in direct service, advocacy, and engagement with the LGBTQIA+ community and transgender women of color in particular.

Phillip (Phil) Garcia is a Licensed Social Worker with over 10 years of experience working with kids. He has experience working with children in crisis, with trauma-informed practice as well as young people with depression, anxiety and panic, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD (including Asperger's), Attention deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), and a wide range of social-emotional and developmental challenges. Phil aims to deliver evidenced-based interventions that the family can maintain and generalize to all areas of the child’s life. (Video or Lakeview/Lincoln Park)

I believe that you can create the change and happiness that you want. I believe in creating a safe and healing space where you are able to explore what is brining you to therapy. I have extensive experience working with trauma survivors; and believe therapy is a space where you are able to decide how you want to be supported and when. More importantly, I am excited to serve you, as you create the changes in your life. Piece by piece, building the life that you deserve and want.

My clients include children, teens, adults and couples. They share a commitment to healing, development and personal growth. We work together to foster a strong therapeutic alliance built upon trust, mutual respect, communication, creativity and relational connection. They are diverse in age, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and culture. Addressing trauma wounds, attachment issues, relationship conflicts, and eradication of maladaptive thought-patterns and beliefs are key tenants of our work. Collaboratively we move toward healing the personal, relational and transpersonal alike.

*Specializes in teletherapy* Shanelle is a mental health therapist, trainer, author, and life coach. Having experienced a multitude of obstacles, Shanelle decided at a young age to spend her life's purpose learning to heal and helping others to heal. Shanelle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, practicing mental health counseling since 2016. Shanelle enjoys family, painting, gardening, and self-development. Shanelle's ideal client is a person in the Action phase of change, and a person who is willing to try new skills inside and outside of sessions.

My clients present with mild to severe anxiety, depression or life related stress. Sometimes life gets overwhelming and my clients want support and also to learn new skills. They want to get back to some level of normalcy and by working in a collaborative way we work on achieving and crushing treatment plan goals. My clients just want to be ok! They want to be the best version of themselves and I help guide that process.

I have been practicing as a Nurse Practitioner for the last 3 years. Prior to obtaining my Master’s degree, I worked as a Registered Nurse for 10 years in several different settings. My approach to service and treatment is always patient centered. I’m a huge advocate for patient’s rights and encourage my patient’s to be involved in their own medical decisions. I strive on developing strong relationships with my patients and being the most compassionate, empathetic and nonjudgmental person so they can feel comfortable talking to me and opening up about their health concerns.

Hi, I'm Margaret, a nurse practitioner. I have been successfully managing depression and anxiety symptoms for several years, achieving positive outcomes and improving clients' lives.

I enjoy helping individual adults, couples, and families recognize and overcome any problematic cognitive or behavioral patterns that play a role in holding them back from living their best lives. Sometimes these problematic patterns center around how we think about things like our own worthiness, the trustworthiness of others, and what a successful parent/partner/worker "looks" like. We have been learning these core beliefs about ourselves and the world since before we could walk. Sometimes we stop updating those core beliefs when we get new information and we become stuck. You can get unstuck with Shauna.

Are you struggling to cope and overcome your anxiety and/or depression? Are you lacking motivation? Maybe even going through a life transition? Feeling pain, anger, anxiety, depression and hopelessness can be frightening to deal with alone. I'm here to help with a compassionate approach. You deserve to feel heard and express yourself without any judgement. Your relationship with your therapist is the most crucial predictor for how much you can improve your overall well being. Remember that all emotions are valid and it takes courage to consider therapy. You have already completed the first step, congratulations!

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, lgbtqia+ concerns, women's issues, men's issues, etc.

When we find ourselves held back or stuck in life, it can be difficult to see another way. We may go through the motions of each day, but know deep down that we feel unhappy, anxious, vulnerable, scared, and hurt. Our history, identities, and relationships are key to understanding why we feel stuck, and how we can feel free. I am committed to helping you feel free. Free to be your authentic self, to choose what you want in life, and to let go of or make peace with the things that no longer serve you, so that you can lead a life rich with meaning, love, and growth.