Relational Therapists in Illinois

What's your definition of birthright? As we grow, family, culture, and society can assign meaning that does not serve our best interest but theirs. Devastatingly, we're often taught to point the finger back at ourselves when things go wrong. But I believe we heal and thrive when we nurture healthy intrinsic (fundamental to who we are) connection to ourselves and others. This work creates a safety net allowing us to build self-esteem and adapt without losing our personal power. Pursuing the arts with a former career as a performer, choreographer, and artistic director, I strongly relate to "fitting-in while trying to stand-out".

I strive to bring warmth, intelligence and even humor to my work. While therapy is not about telling people what to do, I am always actively engaged in trying to help my clients gain insight into themselves. My goal is to help clients remove the obstacles in their way and achieve greater happiness in themselves, their relationships, their careers, and their lives as a whole. I consider it a privilege to work with my clients in the gratifying and life changing art and science of psychotherapy.

Whether you’re dealing with the chronic stress of relationships or parenting issues, difficulties adjusting to life changes, or simply feeling “stuck”, my goal is to help you gain understanding towards yourself, strengthen your ability to navigate challenges, and work towards positive change.

I am a trauma informed, relational, insight-oriented psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety and trauma. I am committed to providing individuals and couples with a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can begin to deepen your understanding of how you relate to yourself and others, and how patterns and behaviors act as barriers to living the life you would most like to live.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, holistic, non-judgmental and tailored to each client. I work with clients to build awareness of the patterns and behaviors that may be hindering their growth. I use humanistic and relational approaches to connect with clients to help them find their unique purpose and motivation in life. My goal in treatment is to help individuals cope with and process life’s challenges, losses and transitions. Change is inevitable throughout life, and I believe that once accepted, positive growth can occur.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist whose approach to therapy is based on respect, collaboration, warmth, humor, and non-judgment. I am invested and motivated in helping you understand your experiences, whether they emanate from unsatisfying personal relationships, stressful transitions in your life, or being unable to meet the expectations you place on yourself. I work to help you begin to view these challenges from a perspective of strength and resiliency. Through a kind, supportive, and caring relationship, my goal is to assist you in lessening your pain through self-exploration and meaning-making.

Starting this process can feel very intimidating so I commend your commitment to yourself and I am here to support you along the way. I believe that through empathy, vulnerability, challenges, and at times laughter we can all find deeper connection and meaning in our lives. My hope is that through our relationship and work together, we can help you find a healing path that feels right for you. I have a relational approach and I value authenticity and transparency in my clinical work. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and hope that I can help you work towards the life that you deserve.

We do the best we can with the histories and resources we have. Our experiences and relationships shape/influence us, sometimes leaving us hopeful and nourished and other times leaving us stuck, depleted, anxious, sad, confused/overwhelmed. With a safe space and support, we can draw on our inner resilience to confront, manage and transcend our challenges, freeing us to live more authentic and fulfilling lives. My work is trauma-informed. My process is collaborative and interactive. I approach each therapy encounter with an open mind, recognizing that you are the expert in your life and know what works and what you need from therapy.

My clinical background includes working with young adults, adults, and adolescents, with a variety of presenting concerns. My main interest is helping clients recover from various types of trauma, overcoming anxiety and depressive symptoms, and eating disorders (mostly anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating). I’m passionate about processing family conflict, mood challenges, self-esteem issues, body-image issues, relationship challenges, women’s issues, interpersonal conflicts, adjustment transitions and conflicts, and emotions.

Life can be hard and having a counselor who truly hears you is life changing. You deserve to feel amazing and we're experts at making that a reality. As a niche based practice we have counselors that can help you navigate challenges in life & love. We have expertise in break-ups/divorce recovery, anxiety/stress, grief & loss, post-college transitions, trauma, relational discord, self-esteem, ADHD, non-traditional relationships and LGBTQ+. Our strength lies in walking with you through difficult transitions quicker and with more ease, insight and coping. We love supporting our clients because our life's work is to improve yours.

In both therapy and life, my calling is to help support the empowerment and resilience of my clients so that they may be free to embrace a life of vitality and healthy connection. My hope is that my authenticity, humor, and compassionate challenging can help my clients find the courage and bravery to look at what’s not working in their life and find something better. I specialize in helping adults find even deeper healing through learning how to regulate your nervous system, resolving the effects of difficult or traumatic experiences and creating an inner sense of safety and security.

My practice involves helping individuals, couples and families identify,and build strengths and resilience, while identifying and shifting issues that constrain the fullest potential of stability, satisfaction and joy. I am collaborative and relational in style. I have experience working with issues including, anxiety, depression, trauma, loss, eating disorder and addictions. My approach involves the provision of support, understanding and encouragement to enhance awareness and success for the creation of meaning and satisfaction. My style is interactive and I offer strategies and feedback to enhance client's achievement of goals.

I fundamentally believe that the human experience is one that breeds obstacles full of pain, confusion, & distress. I also fundamentally believe that even in the midst of pain there can still be so much joy. Every human deserves support to manage, understand, & heal from the difficult experiences this life presents us with, but also deserves encouragement in learning to find & celebrate joy! Life unfortunately can sometimes get the best of us, but there is always hope for something more, something better, something different. I deeply believe that with therapy, people can transform their lives.

I believe psychotherapy should be simple and accessible; theories are important yet your own experience is the best teacher. Similarly, connecting with my clients on a deeply relational level and developing an understanding of who you are is as integral to the process as the clinical training which informs my therapeutic approach. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who emphasizes existential concerns at the heart of the issues that bring people into therapy. Some examples include creating a more meaningful existence, exercising personal freedom/choice, and developing a greater sense of responsibility for one's growth.

I have an appreciation for complexity and understand that most of us live a life full of contradictions - striving for goodness, happiness, prosperity, low drama, and quality relationships. I get to witness clients create a foundation of safety from which they can pursue their personal and relational goals. I have a passion for working with both traditional relationships and alternative lifestyle clients, as individuals or couples. My clients are often unraveling past traumatic and toxic relationships or simply navigating the unknown with the goals of creating new, healthy patterns of communication, safety, and intimacy.

Feeling overwhelmed with work, life? or going through a difficult transition? Talking to family and friends could be helpful at times, but the support and expertise of a therapist can be meaningful when you want to focus on you, your emotional well-being and individual growth. Everyone deserves the opportunity to heal from past and/or current issues, and feel empowered during the process of finding what works for them and their unique situation. I invite you to be brave and take the first step to a better and stronger you!

With every challenge, change or loss we face in life, I believe growth, transformation, healing and peace are possible - even in the most difficult circumstances. We will work together to understand and transform pain, confusion, fragility, stress and difficulty. We will also achieve improved insight and strengths for meaningful change and connection. My areas of specialty include grief, maternal/perinatal mental health, pregnancy & infant loss, challenges associated with prematurity & chronic disease, anxiety, depression, adjustment to illness, career transitions, life changes and relationship challenges.

Hi and welcome to my page! I’d love to assist you in figuring out the next step in your therapy journey. I believe effective therapy is the result of finding a therapist that’s a good fit for you. I know therapy can seem like an intimidating process to begin, but I hope to show you that it doesn’t have to be.

Are you ready for change? Are you experiencing anxiety, relationship strain or irritability? Just feeling stuck? I have a heart for encouraging others to develop a deeper level of personal, social, spiritual & professional growth in their lives. It would be my privilege to support you as you create change and experience healing in your life. You can find inner peace and experience deeper satisfaction in your life & in your relationships. You can learn more effective ways to regulate emotions and resolve things like chronic anxiety, depression, relational trauma, codependency, grief/loss, & spiritual issues. Change is possible!