Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing for sixteen years. I have worked in a variety of settings, including foster care, residential treatment, and outpatient settings. I have experience in treating depression, anxiety, grief/loss, adjustment issues, and trauma of all kinds (including sexual abuse). I have worked with clients of color and among the LGBTQ+ community. I am passionate about helping people cultivate their own strengths and resources to overcome life's challenges. I have a passion for animals and the expressive arts (I incorporate both in my in-person practice). I am especially sensitive to those who have experienced grief, loss, and trauma. I have significant experience in working with individuals who suffer from depression, have self-harming urges, and experience anxiety and panic. PTSD is my specialty, and I do EMDR for coping with traumatic events.
My approach is warm and caring, with a touch of humor when appropriate. As a Person-Centered therapist, I believe that you already have what you need inside to achieve your goals. My role is to hold space that is fully accepting and welcoming, so that you feel safe enough to do the deep work. I walk beside you on that journey. I also incorporate the strengths perspective, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and the core concepts of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). Overall, I am an authentic professional who believes in your resilience.
On a personal note, I love creating and expressing, especially using paint, color, and writing. I also have two rescued dogs I enjoy taking to the park or beach. They are both also therapy dogs who get to come to work with me! I run my own therapy practice in the Chicagoland area, where I also offer art classes, women's circles, kids' groups, and other programs and events. I also enjoy reading, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Emptiness, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fertility Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Trichotillomania, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
IN LCSW 34005196A