Female Therapists in Aurora, IL

My clients consistently tell me what a profound positive impact our collaborative work in therapy has made on their lives, especially after they have felt "stuck" for a long time. Being able to "connect the dots," gain insights, and change behaviors can bring great relief and a sense of hope. I enjoy helping individuals, couples, or families cope with past, present, or chronic stressors and regain power and control over their lives and relationships. This is especially true for people who have experienced traumatic events and (as a result) may have symptoms of anxiety, panic, depression, and/or anger.

I believe therapy can help individuals overcome life's challenges and foster personal growth. With extensive experience counseling a diverse clientele, I utilize an integrative and collaborative approach to tailor treatment to the unique needs and goals of each client. My aim is to empower clients, facilitate healing, encourage self-acceptance, and promote healthy relationships. Within the therapeutic relationship, I prioritize confidentiality and strive to provide a nonjudgmental and supportive environment.

I consider it a privilege to work with people who are motivated to change. Whether it’s feeling less anxious or depressed, improving an important relationship or learning to better control intense emotions, I am willing to join you in doing the hard work of change. Though the process is often simple, it’s rarely easy. The alternative option of staying the same, however, is usually much more difficult in the long run. Together, we’ll figure out how you can make your one life the best it can be. Isn’t that result worth the effort?

My name is Kara Marriott and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 22 years of experience. I specialize in the treatment of children and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, Women's Health Issues (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, postpartum, pregnancy loss and infertility), chronic health conditions, self-esteem, and life transitions. My therapeutic approach is integrative and tailored to your individual needs using emotion focused, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychodynamic therapies as well as a culturally-informed and system based perspectives.

Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, life changes, stress, or other challenges, together we can work on learning positive coping skills and behaviors to help improve your thought process and mood. I can assist you in improving your communication, increasing your resilience, and identifying your personal strengths. I am here to help guide you towards understanding yourself and your needs while learning the tools that will assist you in reaching your treatment goals. I am bilingual and provide services in English and Spanish.

Renyce Ward is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois who has been practicing since 2024. She has a BS in Psychology from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, a Masters of Social Work from University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and a Trauma-Informed Educational Practices Certification from North Central College. Renyce helps support the social-emotional needs of individuals by providing a safe and non-judgmental environment where together, they will explore areas of strengths and challenges.

Client-centered is always Kim's approach during a session. This allows a client to open up at their own pace. She takes time to build rapport with her clients, which creates a space for clients to process complex feelings and emotions. A few areas of specialization for Kim are substance abuse, anxiety, and family conflict.

Sometimes in life we need a little extra help. Family and friends mean well, but talking with a professional about your concerns can make all the difference in the world. If you are struggling, or simply need a warm and gentle environment in which to rest, I am here for you.

“My goal is to make a difference in a person’s life by providing a safe environment, advocating for social justice, actively engaging in my community, helping clients develop and utilize problem-solving techniques and positive coping mechanisms.”

We all have the capacity to reach our fullest potential. Yet all too often we find ourselves stuck in negative patterns of thinking and acting, unable to see other possibilities. Therapy allows us to make meaning of our difficult life experiences and open up to new ways of thinking, feeling, and being. I strive to provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can learn to identify and express their emotions effectively, develop healthy ways of coping with difficult emotions, improve the quality of their relationships, and increase their self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

Are you experiencing emotional overload, engaging in destructive patterns, or just plain stuck? In ways, our thoughts, behaviors, emotional reactions, and relationships are influenced by early childhood experiences, creating the lens in which we view the world and how we approach life. These learned ideals and behaviors may result from an ingrained, automatic emotional response that helped you to survive traumatic situations, impairing your ability to problem-solve and manage difficult situations and emotions. Change may be uncomfortable but with the appropriate skills, peace and healing is attainable.

Joey Trine is a Board-Certified Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC-BC) a member of the Illinois Association of Adult Development and Aging (IAADA), and former program development chair for IAADA. She has more than 6 years of experience working with adults and seniors who are experiencing variations of grief, anxiety, self-esteem concerns, depression, impulse control, trauma, and issues in effective communication & boundaries.

Ashley Denny is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Women & Gender Studies and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Ashley believes one of the bravest tasks a person can do is begin to understand their own story. She values creating a safe, inclusive, affirming, and empowering space for all her clients. Sometimes we might feel alone or lost or that no one could possibly understand how we are feeling. We are all unique and have a story to tell, and you deserve to feel better.

Joy uses her compassion and down-to-earth nature to provide an environment where clients can feel safe to be their authentic selves. She understands that seeking change, or something different, is not an easy process. Joy forms collaborative partnerships with her clients when developing therapeutic goals and a plan for care. She uses mindfulness, empathy and insight to aid in the empowerment of clients. In addition, Joy also utilizes a varity of therapy techniques.

How We Treat One Another Matters: For better and for worse, across our whole lives, we operate in relationships. Our views of our "self" and how we relate to others develop from how we have been treated in relationships. Our capacities to love, to learn, to become our best, all emerge optimally within healthy relationships. Likewise, wounds of heart and soul emerge from ways we have been treated and/or choices we have made which have hurt us, sometimes very deeply. Persons who have experienced relational trauma and/or overwhelming life stressors are ideal candidates for clinical services at Gateway.

Did you know that 70% of the changes that clients make is based off of the relationship between client and therapist? I pride myself in practicing from a person-centered, strengths-based, and existential framework in order create a safe space for clients, validate their experiences, and provide unconditional positive regard. I use humor and warmth in sessions in order to build a strong therapeutic relationship quickly so that we can work together to achieve your goals.

Mistie Drews is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois who has been practicing since 2016. Mistie strives to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to provide therapy. She specializes in addictions and trauma. Mistie also has experience with family and couples and individual therapy. CBT and DBT are methods she has used. In her spare time, Mistie enjoys being near any body of water. She believes in good self-care as therapists for our own mental health. A sense of humor is so important! She has two kids that are now young adults.

My therapeutic approach focuses on the whole person. I look at the individual, their environment, and the many factors that make up who they are. By focusing on their strengths, I work with the individual to discover the person they are meant to be. My experience includes training in Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. I have previous clinical experience with children and adolescents, in a child welfare capacity, as well as inpatient behavioral health. I was also licensed as a foster parent in 2005; I have both worked with children who are in the foster care system and children who were adopted.

Feeling heard, cared for, and understood are some of my greatest values in building a relationship with you. By listening to you and all that you have overcome, I strive to help you identify and build on your strengths as well as heal from your past. Being a part of your growth is a privilege and I respect how hard it is to let someone in. Whether you have problems with anxiety, ADHD, OCD, depression, trauma, grief or perhaps stress related to school, relationships, or work, I will be here to help.