In my 45 plus years of practice, I have found that most patients, before coming to see me may have tried to the best of their abilities to solve their problems. They may have consulted other psychotherapists or other allied professionals before coming to see me. The central task is for us to identify the nature of their psychological puzzle, and to find ways to collaborate in finding solutions to them. I have a particular interest in people who may have neurocognitive deficits. Also, I have an interest in children and adolescents whose parents are in the divorce process.

We often get in places where we feel “stuck” or think “this is just how it is going to be.” The demands of managing academic/professional careers, relationships with friends and family, and emotional difficulties often result in patterns of self-doubt, insecurities, and negative self-worth that leave us feeling alone and overwhelmed. My goal is to provide you the tools and support to see that life can be better and that change IS possible. I will help you capitalize on your already-existing strengths while highlighting patterns of thinking and behaviors that may no longer be helpful in order to live the fulfilling life you want.

You are undoubtedly tired of having the same argument over and over again without any resolution. Or your relationship may have lost it's spark and you really want it back! Perhaps you and your partner have different interests sexually and you want to work those out. Or, if there has been infidelity, you may want to repair, heal the wounds before you decide to end the relationship for good. For some, relationships just don't seem to work out and you want to figure out why. Whether you come alone or with your partner,We are here to help.

While relationships have the power to injure they also have the power to heal. When early experiences have been less than optimal, building relationships can be challenging, both inside and outside of therapy. This affects family, friendships, employment and, most importantly, your relationship with yourself. I will work with you on trying to make sense of why certain patterns repeat in your life. We will consider the ways in which you survived past hurts and how that might interfere with living a fuller life today.

Real change for real people. You may need short-term support to learn specific tools, or you may want to dig more deeply to recognize relationship patterns or other behaviors that get in the way of peace and happiness in your life. You may find yourself feeling depressed, anxious and in conflict with the ones you love. I would like to help you manage and resolve these feelings and to help you transform what feels like vulnerability into strength. We will work together to accomplish the goals we co-create.

Are you struggling with uncomfortable feelings that you can’t seem to soothe? Do you feel overwhelmed with a painful past or current stressful circumstances? I know what it feels like to be stuck in uncomfortable emotions. I know how difficult life can be. I am a mother of three grown children and I am a compassionate therapist. I have experience helping clients heal from their past. My approach combines caring and warmth with skilled listening. I want to hear your story and discover ways that I can come alongside you. I want to support you on your journey.

Are you struggling with your relationship, health, or health of a loved one? Maybe you feel unappreciated or like you aren’t being heard. Maybe your health has taken an unexpected turn and you feel unsure how to redefine yourself and sense of identity. You question how to get back on track and if you can. Living with a challenging relationship or health condition can make you feel like you've tried everything and nothing is working. You may feel like you're the only person who has faced your specific struggle and aren't sure what to do. Your friends and family try to help, but their feedback seems biased, or they don't understand.

Life gets complicated. You may be trying all that you know how to do to make things better for yourself or for someone you love but have run out of energy, ideas or both. You may have a relationship with someone you love but just can't seem to get along. You may be a parent trying to best figure out how to help a child or teen who is having problems. You may feel burdened by sadness, fear or stress.Or, perhaps you have old wounds that seem to keep interfering with you creating the life you want.

I have worked with children, adults and families for more than 20 years. Using an integrative perspective, I apply a range of techniques, including those based in attachment, family systems, and cognitive behavioral theories. Prior to establishing my private practice, I worked in a variety of settings from inner-city neighborhoods of Washington DC, Baltimore and Chicago, to small towns in North Africa.Throughout my career, I have sought to demystify mental health and psychotherapy by actively involving my clients in the intake and therapy process.

My Doctorate is in Clinical Psychology from Alder University, Chicago. I bring to my practice the experience of a first full career in education. My area of expertise was Reading and Learning Disabilities emphasizing thought, language, the process of comprehension and meta-comprehension. This influences my therapeutic work in using the power of narrative. I collaborate with each client in an environment of respect, dignity, and compassion. I provide pathways to understanding positive changes: with experiencing personal distress; in personal growth; with interpersonal and family relationships; and, in school or career development.

We solely see first responders, ER staff, and veterans at the FRWC. Being a former Chicago Police Officer for 13 years, I understand the unique needs of first responders and developed the center to help those who protect us. We see first responders due to trauma, crisis, PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, job-related stress, suicide, etc. We also understand how there are concerns about engaging in therapy services and protecting your job. We ensure that you will have privacy and confidentiality. We have a separate entrance and exit to maintain confidentiality.

I’m grateful to have this opportunity to connect with you. The therapeutic process is a sacred journey. Here we can share in a safe, non-judgmental place. If we have suffered addiction, anxiety, depression or trauma we can uncover the aspects of ourselves that need healing. The quality of our lives is directly connected to the quality of our relationships - with ourselves and with others. When our relationships are suffering, everything is impacted. For that reason, in our therapy sessions we explore whatever is unfolding in your relationships and we discover how to bring awareness and skill to these crucial connections.

Life gets complicated. You have been trying all that you know how to do to make things better for yourself or for someone you love but have run out of energy, ideas or both. You may have a relationship with someone you love but just can't seem to get along. You may be a parent trying to best figure out how to help a child or teen who is having problems. You may feel burdened by sadness, fear or stress.Or, perhaps you have old wounds that seem to keep interfering with you creating the life you want.

As a parent, you want your child to be happy and successful. You want a calm, peaceful home where everyone feels safe and comfortable. If your child is sad, irritable, withdrawn, isolating, not sleeping, complaining of stomachaches or headaches, not getting the grades you know they can achieve or they just don't seem like themselves, our team of child and adolescent therapists will do everything in their power to help your child get back on track and feel better. Our therapists are easy to relate to and they get good results.

Life can be so much better! Do you sometimes feel like you can't get beyond events that have happened in your life? Do you feel troubled or haunted by them despite your best efforts to move on? Are you withdrawn, unpredictable or irritable, releasing your feelings on the ones you love most. You may feel like you can't control your emotions or life. We work to help you understand what is happening in your brain and body that prevent you from digesting what has happened and to help you put it in the past, to move on.

In life, we face a myriad of transitions, which impact us throughout every decade of our journey. Such transitions often cause anxiety, depression and/or a sense of sadness, loneliness or loss of direction. We may wonder "who am I now" or "where do I belong". Life changes impact our relationships with romantic partners, our parents, our children and our friends. I specialize in working with people as they navigate life's transitions. I help clients to understand and make sense of what can bring greater satisfaction into their lives, with a focus on building more effective and adaptive coping skills.

Therapeutic support and guidance can be an essential part of getting you through the multiplication of stressors over the past year. For some the recent losses, changes & uncertainty has resulted in loneliness, depression & anxiety for the future. For others this crucible has exacerbated problems that existed before. We are all struggling as COVID has forced us to sit still with ourselves & ask the essential existential questions of life. I would look forward to being part of the process to understand yourself better & navigate this time period to attain a sense of wellness & growth.

The ideal client for me is someone who is ready for something different. It’s normal to feel fear when stepping into change and I work with my clients so they don’t have to be stopped or dismayed by said fears or doubts. The therapeutic process involves a willingness to learn and being open to outside and differing perspectives. I’m passionate about partnering with clients who are willing to work together to achieve their goals.

Life can be beautiful, complicated, and messy all at the same time. The road at times can be riddled by twists, turns, and detours you were not expecting. It would be nice if life was a straight path to fulfillment and happiness but life is not linear. Perhaps you found yourself starting over after a recent break-up? Or, you experienced the loss of a loved one. Maybe even faced with an unexpected medical diagnosis or have been questioning your purpose in life. Whether you’re prepared or not, life has a way of making you feel the challenges you are faced with are too difficult to overcome.

**Accepting New Clients for Telehealth** I don't recognize myself anymore...Will this ever get better? Do other people feel this way? YOU are not alone, there is help. Searching for a therapist can be exhausting and overwhelming. Finding a great fit can make all the difference! I provide individual, adolescent and family counseling services with a focus on EMPOWERING my clients to make real change in their lives. I use research-based treatments to provide the best care possible to help YOU develop a deeper understanding of what needs to change in your life and HOW to actually do that!