In what ways do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
My philosophy in life is to never live with regret, but always learn from our experiences. This is the foundation of my therapeutic approach as well when we explore and examine who you have been, who you are today, and who you want to be in the future. Using past experiences as a reference point allows us to work on keeping the past where it belongs and become more present in our current state. As individuals, I believe it is our responsibility to ourselves to keep evolving, growing, and becoming the best version of ourselves as possible. This is not a destination, but an ongoing, fluid process.
If there was one thing you wish people knew about the therapy experience who might be hesitant to try it, what would that be?
I wish that people knew that therapy can be the hardest, but most important work, you can ever do in your life. It can be intimidating to think about change, but it can also allow you to create the life that you envision for yourself and allow you to let go of the past. It is the most invaluable, investment you will ever make and the best part is that once you have learned to invest in yourself, it can become a lifetime payout. Taking the time to identify your needs and create healthy life habits is something that everyone should do in life.
In what ways does your personality influence your approach to therapy?
My personality can be found throughout my sessions. Whether it is with a calming guided meditation, a recommendation on a new journaling activity, or just laughing...a lot of laughing! Although the therapeutic process can be very serious at times, I try to never take anything in life too seriously and encourage humor throughout the process. Finding ways to look at experiences through a new lens and with a renewed perspective are ongoing themes in my approach.
Specialties
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.
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.
Life transitions
Positive and negative change can be difficult, including things like moving, breaking up, adjusting to parenthood, or changing careers. It’s normal to feel stressed, however, life transitions can inhibit people from living healthy lifestyles.
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
Careers
Designed to help people choose, change, or leave a career at any stage of life. Careers are often wrapped up in people’s perceived identity, therefore, any change can cause anxiety and/or depression.
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.
Relationship Issues
Refers relationship issues with a partner or spouse. Can include issues related to relationship distress, relationship satisfaction, communication, intimacy, etc.
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.
Race & Cultural Identity
Challenges around race and cultural identity vary enormously, including issues related to discrimination, racism, and intergenerational trauma.
Fees
$160
First Session
$160
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Adolescents (13-17)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Mindfulness Practices
Eclectic Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Licensure
IL, LCPC, 180010858
Education
MEd. Counseling Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
Work History
I believe that the relationship between a client and therapist is unique. It requires a great deal of trust on the side of the client and an open and honest approach on the side of the therapist. For the last 18 years, I have worked with individuals and families in a school setting as well as in private practice. I have learned that everyone, even when part of a family system, has his or her own needs that can be met through a therapeutic relationship. My specialties include school related concerns such as school refusal, self-esteem, anxiety, executive functioning struggles, and other social emotional factors interfering with school success. In the realm of women's issues, I focus on work/life balance, stress management, anxiety and depression as well as transitions within relationships.
Location
Remote Therapy, Brookfield, 60513, IL