Dr. Angela Zartuche, LCSW

About me

About Me

As a mental health professional, I have dedicated my life to helping adults, children, adolescents, and families overcome the obstacles they face in life which prevent them from reaching their fullest potential or from achieving their goals. I understand the importance of having a safe space in therapy to process deeply rooted personal issues without fear of feeling judged or shamed. With this in mind, I work to create a warm, inviting, and supportive atmosphere.

I believe everyone has their own intrinsic strengths and by identifying them, I will help you access them to optimize your overall potential, coping, and functioning. As a clinician, I value the importance of having a meaningful, stable, supportive therapeutic alliance. This alliance plays an integral role in the shifting of mindsets from negative or destructive ones to more positive and productive ones.

Together, we will create a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs while drawing upon your strengths to foster resiliency, and provide you with the necessary tools to cope with whatever stressors, traumas, anxieties, and mood challenges you face.


As a mental health professional, I have been trained in Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP), an extensive research-based treatment protocol used in the treatment of children and adolescents; Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) addressing the adverse impact of trauma on survivors by processing the trauma and targeting commonly seen emotional and behavioral responses; Solution Focused Therapy which focuses on effectively identifying the presenting problem(s) as well as using a problem-solving approach to resolve said issue(s); and Play Therapy to help children process and resolve underlying psycho-social issues they would not otherwise express verbally. I use Play therapy as a vehicle to help children communicate and work through any issues they are faced with.

Also, for those interested, I offer Christian-based counseling whereby the principles of mental health treatment and Christianity are integrated to form a stable foundation and instill hope from a faith based perspective.

Presently, I hold a Doctorate of Psychology degree (Psy.D.) from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, a Master of Social Work degree, from Loyola University Chicago where I specialized in school social work, a Master of Jurisprudence Degree in Child Law and Policy also from Loyola University Chicago. Throughout the course of my education, training, and experience, I developed an expertise in working with trauma, complex trauma, assessing and treating children with challenging behaviors, child maltreatment, sexual assault, and crisis intervention.

Professional experience

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Attachment issues, Body image, Co-morbidity, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Isolation / loneliness, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Post-traumatic stress, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Women's issues, Young Adult Issues

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Existential Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

License information

CA LCSW 76403

IL LCSW 149015252