Personal Statement
“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” This statement by Carl Rogers sums up my philosophy of life. Life can be tough, unfair, and even cruel, but through counseling I can teach you skills to cope, thus creating a process to move towards a better life. My aim is to help you improve your understanding of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, what they mean, and how they relate to present day struggles. We can work together to deepen this awareness and identify your needs, desires, and patterns of relating, so you can move towards a more authentic life.
Who I Serve
I provide services to people from all walks of life, but I do have a special place in my heart for adolescents and their parents, those who are grieving, and those with depression & anxiety. My care for these groups springs from my own life experiences and a desire to pay it forward due to the care I have received from helping professionals in my journey to achieve wellness.
I approach each client with an open mind, ready to learn about the life experiences that have brought them to the moment of entering therapy. Every individual faces unique challenges and needs the freedom to work and grow at their own pace. My mission is to accompany my clients on their own distinct healing journey, celebrating the success of small efforts repeated day after day that will lead to a life of peace and self-discovery. In our work together, I strive to help my clients heal, grow, and achieve balance in their lives.
Specialty Treatment Areas
- Adolescent behavior problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotional regulation
- Highly sensitive children and adults
Additional Treatment Areas
- Anger
- Caregiver stress
- Chronic pain
- Grief and loss
- Death and dying
- ADD/ADHD
Theoretical Approach
I have an eclectic approach to counseling, meaning I want to find the best type of counseling to fit your needs. I will find an evidence-based approach (those backed by research to be effective) to meet your personality and goals. I particularly like cognitive therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify destructive thought patterns and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy to teach emotional regulation & mindfulness, help with interpersonal relationships, and teach distress tolerance. These two types of therapies can be particularly useful with adolescent behaviors. In addition to CBT and DBT we could “rewrite” your story with narrative therapy or focus on your positive attributes through a strengths-based approach.
The relationship we build together will be even more important than finding the type of skills or approach to take in counseling. I want you to be comfortable enough to share your triumphs and tragedies in a safe place, devoid of any judgment. Therapy is not always comfortable, but we will work through the rough spots together.
Insurance Networks
- Private pay
- Aetna
- BCBS PPO
- Cigna (Evernorth)
- TriCare
Education/Certifications
- Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois
- MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Concordia University
- Bachelor of Science in Education, Northern Illinois University
Affiliations/Memberships
- American Counseling Association (ACA)