What do you view as a key component of the therapeutic relationship?
Trust.
In what ways do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
To be sure, I have stumbled in my attempts to be the person I aspire to be. But I'm proud of my accomplishments. The parent, friend, partner, and professional I have become is imperfect, but always seeking improvement. My personal motto is a quote from the Dalai Lama to, "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
If you could pick one movie or book that influenced your approach to therapy, what would it be and why?
“Every relationship worth keeping sustains, at the very least, splintered glazes, hairline fractures, cracks. And aren’t these flaws the prerequisites of intimacy?” - Stephanie Kallos I would choose the book, "Broken for You," by Stephanie Kallos. The book juxtaposes the lives of two women -- one who is desperately coming to terms with her past -- and another who is healing from a trauma in the present. The message in the story is that, with all our wisdom and deepened compassion, we are worth more broken. This message is so optimistic. It celebrates the way in which we humans, despite what we may think, are not damaged goods after negative experiences, trauma, or hurt. I want this to be the belief I instill in every client I have the honor in working with.
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.
Adoption & foster care
Adoption and foster care considerations include education on the process, integrating the new family, establishing household rules and boundaries, processing past trauma on behalf of the child, emotional health, and other adjustment procedures.
Family issues
Familial relationships can be the source of stress and emotional pain, even in the healthiest of situations. Painful interactions can range from irritation to resentment and lead to feelings of guilt, disappointment, and anger.
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.
Couples
Provides couples therapy/counseling
General Expertise
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.
Abuse/Survivors of abuse
Abuse includes any significant mistreatment along the lines of psychical, emotional, sexual, verbal, and neglect. Survivors of abuse may experience negative thoughts and feelings, flashbacks, distrust of others, social withdrawal, self-harm, and increased likelihood of developing mental health and substance abuse issues.
Artists' mental health
There’s been a long history of debating the connection between creativity and mental illness. Research shows mixed results but ultimately, anyone can experience mental health issues in relation to professional burnout or work-related stress.
Fees
$160
First Session
$140
Family Therapy
$140
Couples Therapy
$140
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Parents
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Art Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Expressive Arts Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Feminist Therapy
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Marriage and Family Therapy
Psychoanalytic Therapy
The Gottman Method
Training / Certifications
Telehealth Ethics and Continuity Care During COVID-19 Training, Social Work with Lesbian and Gay Clients Training, ACA Code of Ethics Training, Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence Training, Common Diagnosis in Treatment Training, Developing a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System Training, Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth Training, Mandated Reporter Training for Illinois,
Licensure
IL, LCSW, 149008626
Education
MSW
BSW
Work History
I have been an activist, caretaker, and clinician since 1993. Though I'm young at heart, I tend towards a nurturing, motherly vibe as a therapist. I believe we all need to be listened to, cared for, and treated with kindness. My background has primarily been with women and children in foster care and adoption. I have fostered five kids alongside my own, three biological children. I also truly enjoy working with couples. My husband and I have been together for 33 years, and I recognize the challenges and benefits of being in a long-term partnership. If you choose to work with me, I promise to bring an extensive background as a clinician and an open, caring ear to each session.
Location
Remote Therapy, Evanston, 60201, IL