What was your path to becoming a therapist? What inspired you to choose this profession?
I don't really think of it as a path, but more of a crazy journey with lots of different crossroads and people who influenced me and helped me learn who I am and who I want to be. I learned how to survive my childhood by being perfect, anticipating what others wanted from me and always doing what they wanted me to do. And I've spent my entire adulthood so far (and will continue) learning to undo all of that and learning how to be authentically me. I want to help others learn to do the same and that brought me to Social Work and supporting others reaching their ideal life through their goals by being a therapist. But I want you to learn how to be your authentic self and live with integrity based on your beliefs and culture and ethics though, not mine.
What is your style/approach to therapy?
I think it's important to get to know you, my client, as a whole person and to learn more about what you want from therapy. What your goals are, where you are struggling, and how I can best support you. Once I start to understand you, I will start learning how to support and challenge you so that you can grow towards who you want to be.
What does a first session with you look like?
The first session is required to be more of a question and answer type of format for learning about you and your background. This is because most insurances require that I do an assessment and treatment plan with you immediately. While it's a bit more formal than a normal session because I need to gather specific information that is required, it does help me learn who you are and help you get a feel for who I am as well. If it is a good match and you feel I can support you, I help you determine what your treatment goals are for therapy and we go from there. Goals can always be tweaked or changed as we go along, so don't think it all has to be exact or perfect--we'll make changes as you want and need to along the way. :)
Specialties
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.
Adolescent mental health
Adolescent mental health focuses on adolescent-specific experiences including physical and cognitive development, social and environmental factors, sex, sexual identification and orientation, emotional processing, and substance use. Given the influence that parents/guardians have on adolescents, home life is a particularly important consideration.
Gender identity & transgender health
Transgender or gender non-confirming people experience the same mental health issues as anyone else. For some, however, social stigma, discrimination, oppression and the effort of understanding one’s authentic self can lead to anxiety or depression.
Identity development
Process of defining one’s own beliefs and sense of self. Evolves over time and can become a source of stress and pain, especially if the concept of self goes against social, cultural, or familial norms.
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.
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.
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.
Gender identity & transgender health
Transgender or gender non-confirming people experience the same mental health issues as anyone else. For some, however, social stigma, discrimination, oppression and the effort of understanding one’s authentic self can lead to anxiety or depression.
Identity development
Process of defining one’s own beliefs and sense of self. Evolves over time and can become a source of stress and pain, especially if the concept of self goes against social, cultural, or familial norms.
Fees
$120
First Session
$120
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Humanistic Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Licensure
IL, LCSW, 149.016961
Education
Masters in Social Work (MSW), BA in Honors Psychology
Work History
I have been a Social Worker for over 20 years and graduated with my MSW from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. I have worked with adults and children/adolescents as a therapist, a school social worker, and an intake assessment specialist in both Michigan and Illinois. I have experience supporting individuals who happen to have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, PTSD, Anxiety Disorders, and other mental health disorders as well as those who have Dual Diagnoses (Mental Health and Substance Abuse Disorders). I specialize in working with those who are non-heterosexual, transgender, non gender conforming, and those who practice ethical non-monogamy
Location
307 S. Wulff Street, Cary, 60013, IL