What would be important for someone to know about working with you?
I don't give up and I try to bring some amount of joy, hope, humor, patience, and confidence to each session to minimize the anxiety, fear, and shame that some might feel about meeting with a therapist. I will encourage my client to analyze my style and my approach and let me know if it is not working for them. My aim is not to be the perfect fit for each client, but to help them identify their needs, goals, and resources and point them in the right direction. If I know of a service or provider that is a better match for the client than I am I will let my client know this. I will do research and provide resources as needed. I will also insist that my clients identify things that they alone can control and do outside of sessions in order to make the most of their time, as well as to be able to grow and evolve from their progress in therapy.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
I do not determine my client's goals - they do. The client is the expert. They have been with themselves every second of their lives. They know their strengths, their letdowns, their history, their hopes and dreams and fears. They also know that there is something going on in their life that they would like to be different. I work with my clients to help clarify and articulate what that is, what it looks like, what it feels like and sounds like. We then start identifying small, measurable steps that they can take to reach those goals. And we take as much time, or move as quickly, as the client wants to. I picture myself in the car with the client and they are behind the wheel, driving the car and making all of the final decisions and movements to get the car where it wants to be. I am merely in the passenger seat.
What does a first session with you look like?
The very first session with a new therapist can be really nerve-wracking! Are they going to be nice and patient, withdrawn or bored? There's so many ways that first session can go! The first session with me is very open, professional, supportive, reassuring and focused on providing and gaining information, as well as discussing goals and immediate recommendations for activating change. My approach to therapy is inviting, collaborative, engaged, and flexible so that the client and I can discuss what works and doesn't work so that we can make the most out of their time with me. I use humor, reflection, open discussions about thoughts and ideas, and usually provide the client with a small task or project to focus on between sessions (where the real progress happens). The first session will also provide the client time to ask any questions they have, fears or concerns about therapy, ideas for how they would like to change (or not change), and plans for what they would like to do next.
Specialties
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Work Stress
Workplace issues are a common source of stress and can include interpersonal conflict, communication problems, gossip, harassment, discrimination, low motivation and job satisfaction, performance issues, and poor job fit.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder entails a distressful pattern of recurrent thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Obsessions are oftentimes unreasonable thoughts and fears that plague one’s mind to the point of compensatory behavior. This occurs despite logically recognizing the problem. The cycle is seemingly endless and instils feelings of hopelessness/helplessness. Severity of the condition varies but tends to begin gradually, becoming more intense under stress.
Stress
Distress stems from a subjective perception of something being unwanted, undesirable, or detrimental to your wellbeing. Excessive stress significantly impairs mental and physical health and is associated with many diseases and conditions.
Women's issues
Women’s health is regarded as the holistic being and experience of being female. This extends beyond consideration for illness and other complex conditions but to general considerations of physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Issues may include female oppression, socialized gender role, female reproductive issues, motherhood, body image, divorce, and substance use.
General Expertise
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
Loss/Grief
Grief is a reaction to an emotionally significant loss and often comes with symptoms of depression or anxiety. These symptoms can remain intense and last for a long time after a loss, making it difficult to move forward with a healthy lifestyle.
Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is the degree to which a person feels confident, valuable, and worthy of respect. Feeling low self-esteem can influence overall well-being and be linked to anxiety and/or depression.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety or social phobia is fear of social situations or a fear of interacting with people other than close friends and family. Social anxiety can be persistent, intense, and debilitating, greatly affecting daily life.
In-Network Insurance
Sana Benefits
Fees
$130
First Session
$150
Couples Therapy
$130
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
Training / Certifications
Certified Employee Assistance Professional
Licensure
IL, LCPC, 180012245
Education
Master Degree, Psychology, Lewis University
Bachelor Degree, Psychology, Lewis University
Work History
My work experience is extremely diverse, allowing me to understand and assist a very wide range of concerns. My work has included adult individual psychotherapy, assessments and referral recommendations, short-term counseling, and crisis support for corporate companies. More recently I work with adults with work-related concerns, anxiety, OCD, depression, relationship concerns, and adjustment/transition concerns.
Location
Chicago, 60647, IL