Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Champaign, IL

On the outside you have it all together, but deep down you carry a secret experience that knocks the wind out of you every time you remember it. The sexual trauma you experienced has robbed you of joy, freedom, and vitality. You have people in your life who you care about, but the relationships feel distant and detached. You can’t remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep because the memories seem to loom continuously. You remember some of the goals you used to have, but fear, anxiety, and insecurity stop you from pursuing them. It’s time to get your life back, and I want to help you get there.

I am a Licensed Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While I work with a variety of ages, my passion is in supporting older teens and young adults through these impactful years.

I believe in a person centered and narrative approach, as you are the expert of your own life. You have your own story to tell. Talking to a stranger about issues you’re facing can be extremely difficult and challenging but it shows enormous amounts of strength and bravery. My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can express yourself, discuss challenges that you are facing, explore new ideas and new chapters, and to help promote growth and wellness. I want my clients to feel heard and understood.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois. As a former crisis clinician, I have experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds with a variety of life experiences. I am comfortable working with adults coping with ADHD, anxiety, LGBTQIA+ related topics, trauma, depression, and life transitions.

I am an empathetic therapist who counsels adults, teens, and primarily couples. My counseling style uses attachment-focused and trauma-informed approaches. I also have a clinical focus on sex therapy and relational intimacy. I am dedicated to helping my clients navigate their emotional and relational struggles related to everyday life. My therapeutic approach is grounded in Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) and is influenced by parts work. I am a counselor with a master's degree in mental health counseling and a certificate in sex therapy.

Do you find it difficult to trust your partner when starting a new relationship? Are you constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop, feeling anxious or fearful even in safe situations? These could be signs that you are experiencing trauma stemming from past romantic relationships. Unresolved trauma can manifest in current issues like fear of intimacy, attachment problems, and emotional instability. Such experiences can make it challenging to form healthy, fulfilling connections and can lead to cycles of anxiety, distrust, and emotional pain.Recognizing this link is essential for understanding and healing these deep-seated wounds.

It takes a lot of strength and courage to seek help when you are hurting, feel like things are falling apart, confused, scared, and feel like things are out of control. I am here to help you through the process of regaining control of your life, learning healthy ways of coping, healing, recovering, resolving conflict, growing and becoming the best version of you. I work with children, adolescents, emerging adults, adults, couples and families. I provide therapy to people who are struggling with a range of concerns, including trauma, grief and loss, behavioral challenges, mood disorders, anxiety, and relationship problems, etc.

At my core, I am an artist and believe in creating the sacred space necessary for intentional healing. My approach is strength-based and person-centered. I draw from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Systems Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to address individual and relational needs.

Do you find yourself stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, addictive or self-destructive behaviors, or negative thought loops? Struggle with feeling hopeless, worthless, furious, anxious, or just numb? Do you ever wonder WHY you feel the way that you feel? Together we can explore how your past informs your present, how your nervous system has been primed to react, and the messages that operate beneath the surface. I seek to help my clients feel deeply understood and worthy, but don't take myself too seriously and am well-acquainted with the funny side of life.

You’ve experienced some traumatic events in your life. Immediately afterwards, you might feel shock and denial. Longer term reactions might be unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. It can be hard to move on with life. I can help you find positive ways to manage your emotions. I am trained in trauma treatment and in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distresses that are the result of disturbing life experiences.

Are you experiencing persistent feelings of unhappiness, anger, fear, or a sense of being stuck? No matter what you do, you feel like you are never good enough. I specialize in working with individuals that identify as neurodivergent, those struggling with body image, and new parents or those experiencing parenting transitions. I believe that everyone has the ability within themselves to heal and find empowerment in their own lives.

Do you believe if you allow yourself to feel your feelings you will go crazy? Or not be able to handle them? Do you numb yourself with substances, sex, gambling, etc.? Are your relationships hurtful, abusive or disconnected? Are you so full of shame, regret and remorse that you can barely look at yourself in the mirror? Do you feel broken? If you said "yes" to any of these questions most likely you have experienced some sort of trauma in the past. These symptoms are a response to a deeply disturbing event/s that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. Trauma hurts.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, received in 2018. I have worked in social services since 2014 in a variety of settings, including residential treatment, community mental health, and private practice. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults as they cope with a variety of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, other mood disorders, trauma, grief, and religious transitions.

Ann L. Chan provides a unique healing experience in a calm space. I have cutting-edge knowledge related to the mind, body, and brain. She understands the origins of the problems related to trauma and attachment. I apply Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Somatic Practice, Transforming the Experience-Based Brain (TEB), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Havening.

Over the past 15+ years, my practice has been focused primarily on helping clients recover from traumatic experiences and find increased satisfaction and inner peace. I have experience working with clients dealing with PTSD and other posttraumatic reactions, depression, anxiety, panic, sleep disturbance, impulse control problems, attention difficulties, mood dysregulation, and problematic substance use. I also have experience helping clients improve their interpersonal relationships, communication, assertiveness, and organizational skills.

I'm comfortable treating most issues. My strength is the ability to quickly cultivate trusting and meaningful relationships in which my clients find the comfort they need to explore difficult issues and emotions. I most often help clients with basic life stressors and adjustments, but I have extensive experience in treating Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, and Co-Dependency issues. I'm most passionate about empowering women and promoting self-acceptance. I encourage exploring the mind-body-spirit connections. My goal is to lead clients through a journey of self-discovery to assist them in arriving at new insights and realizations.

I have over 12 years of experience in the field. Areas I like to address include, past trauma and abuse, depression, anxiety, relationships, eating disorders, personality disorders, self-esteem, bullying, social awareness, and parenting support among other issues. I have extensive training in therapeutic approaches with children and adolescents including art therapy and play-based approaches, however I enjoy working with all age groups.

Are you feeling lost and completely overwhelmed? Have you found yourself struggling to cope and feeling burnt out lately? Are you wanting to heal from past trauma? Maybe you've been feeling on edge and out of control when things go wrong. You may be having a hard time in your relationships and wonder if you're the problem because you've always felt lonely, unwanted, and disconnected. Or maybe you've noticed that you're extra hard on yourself and are struggling with the sense that deep down you're not good enough. If any of these descriptions resonate with you, please know that you're not alone and we can figure things out together.

Are you feeling overwhelmed or exhausted? Do certain patterns in your life seem to persist, causing pain, discomfort, and frustration? Maybe there are past life experiences that feel hard to break free from. Therapy is a helpful tool in seeking relief from the things that hold us back emotionally, and it is my goal for each person who walks through my door to find support, empathy, and clinical expertise to achieve their mental health goals.