Kristin TomczakLCPC

The initial session will be in more of a structured assessment format that is broken down into various areas including gathering specific information as to what brings you to therapy at this time, as well as information about your past social and behavioral health history. I find it is important to keep the first session more data focused and not about diving “deep” into any particular area. Throughout the assessment process, I will gain a broader knowledge of you and your treatment objectives. From here, I will then be able to meet and assist you in gaining the motivation, insight, knowledge, as well as the healthy functional coping mechanisms to help you achieve your goals. I hope to promote your emotional growth and well-being by providing a supportive and safe environment conducive for healthy self-exploration to help empower you to find the confidence that is lacking or might have been lost to make the changes or adjustments you see fit.

An insight I have gained throughout my clinical experience, as well from general day to day interactions with others is the recognition that no matter how people look or act on the surface, we never truly know what’s happening in their inside world. I have found it is better to be “curious” about others and what is going on in their lives rather than “jump to conclusions” or place judgments.

Growing up as a competitive figure skater, I recognized that along with one’s physical preparedness, one’s mindset was of equal or perhaps an even greater level of importance to how one ultimately ends up “performing”. One’s particular type “performance” or functionality (examples: academics, career, relationships, etc.) will vary from person to person and situation to situation depending on one’s age and stage in life, however the value of having a healthier and stable mindset in order to “perform/function” at one’s best will still be important. This recognition led me to pursue a degree in the counseling field so I could gain a deeper understanding of the “power” of the mind and learn interventions to help others in the journey to achieve their goals.

• Illinois, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, 006952

I have worked in the behavioral health field for over 17 years in a number of settings, including psychiatric units, residential facilities, outpatient social service agencies and in private practice. In each setting, I continued to learn and grow in my skills as a therapist having had the privilege to cultivate many successful therapeutic relationships providing psychotherapy to individuals of diverse ages and backgrounds. I have gained extensive experience working with individuals struggling with depression, bipolar, a variety of anxiety related diagnoses, as well autism and ADHD. Additional areas of treatment include grief, parenting, divorce, blended families, anger management, relationships in general, as well as individuals suffering from eating disorders and chronic illnesses.