Female Therapists in Ukrainian Village, Chicago, IL

Starting therapy can be scary. Being vulnerable with a stranger takes a lot of courage and dedication. This is especially true if you're someone who is prone to privacy, logic or reason–or, perhaps you grew up thinking you need to hide your feelings in an effort to appear “strong.” My own therapy journey has taught me that being in tune with your emotions doesn’t make you weak. In fact, it helps you become stronger than you could ever know. I’m here to help you discover the same for yourself.

My therapeutic approach is to fosters a space where the past, present, and future intersect in a way that healing, empowerment, and clear direction can flourish. I understand that life can at times be challenging, change can be destabilizing, and loss will cause pain. Through these life transitions one may at times need a safe space to cultivate hope and grow. I employ evidence based practices, cultural sensitivity and awareness to assist you in achieving your therapeutic goals.

Both personally and professionally, I feel a natural inclination to connect with and help others. I believe that, because nobody’s life is perfect, we all need some extra support at times. This perspective is what keeps me motivated and driven to do the work that I do. With an approach that is trauma-informed, client-centered, and strengths-based, I strive to create a strong therapeutic alliance with my clients. I believe in collaboration and working with clients to identify areas in which they seek change and to learn how to develop and use personal strengths and resources to make positive change possible.

As we journey through our lives, it is inevitable that we might encounter challenges, confusion, loss, or self-doubt. The waves of stress and pain can carry us away from the shore of our true selves, making it difficult to find our way back to a space of peace and clarity. My aim as a therapist is to serve as an anchor amidst the uncertainties, supporting you as you move through the peaks and valleys of your unique path. This approach is largely built on relational elements, trauma-informed practices, mind-body healing, and fostering inner strength and resilience.

For people hoping for their relationship with their parents to change, their future to be less lonely, or their anxiety to quiet down: I am one of Agave Studio's professional counselors and a trauma therapist, trained as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Somatic Experiencing works to heal trauma through accessing the nervous system and allowing the body to complete physiological responses that got stuck in the body during a traumatic event, or over time, as is the case for racial and childhood trauma.

Home Remedy provides an alternative for families who are considering an out-of-home placement for their child. Home Remedy is designed exclusively for families who have exhausted all local treatment options. We provide intensive, in-home therapeutic services that strengthen families, empower parents, decrease difficult and negative behaviors of children, and improve family relationships. We are an effective alternative for families with struggling adolescents who are considering an out-of-home placement.

I believe a deep, exploratory approach to therapy allows us to uncover the underlying roots of unresolved emotions, unmet needs, and internal conflicts. While I do have training in behavioral therapies and can offer practical techniques for handling distress, my practice centers around helping clients explore the interplay between past experiences, recurring patterns, and present-day behaviors to gain meaningful insight into emotional triggers and coping mechanisms. I developed this approach from my work with people who are experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic distress, difficulty with relationships, and eating disorders.

I aim to create an environment of hospitality, welcoming each client to explore the places in their life where they feel stuck or dissatisfied, so that we can begin to work together to imagine and create a different future. I believe that everyone has the answers that they are looking for within them, and that often the problems and suffering we face can be lessened when we establish and strengthen a deeper connection to our inner world. My belief is that our outer lives improve in satisfaction, meaning, and freedom as we grow in self-understanding and authenticity.

I believe that we all have an inherent need to feel connected, seen, and understood and that is often where the growth, relief, and healing begins. My clinical work is based on a dynamic and relational approach that works collaboratively with clients to gain an understanding of how early experiences underlie behaviors, thoughts, feelings, and explore ways to connect with others. My approach is grounded in a social justice, sex-positive, and anti-oppressive lens, that posits an understanding of how systems of power and privilege manifest in individuals’ lives and impact individuals' ability to heal.

As we walk through life, experiences are constantly being added to our “backpacks.” Our backpacks, at times, feel particularly heavy & uncomfortable, subsequently making daily experiences feel burdensome. I see therapy as a space to take off your backpack - a time to empty its parts and explore them with curiosity & self-compassion, hopefully putting them back inside feeling a little lighter. I aim to hold space for all parts of your backpack, carrying them with you in ways that are collaborative, warm, and affirming.

With the many transitions that life brings can come many challenges. It can be difficult to navigate these challenges alone and reaching out for support is a significant step in working towards healing. My goal is to help you navigate your healing journey using compassion, empathy, and creativity. I have experience working with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, and challenges related to life transitions.

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or alone, I’m here to help. I work with teens and adults who experience anxiety, depression, ADHD, and relationship issues looking for new avenues to address obstacles to personal fulfillment.

I focus on helping people feel best in relationship with themselves, others, and the world around them. Throughout the past 10 years, I have specialized in supporting folks having relationship concerns, experiencing partner abuse, or working through the impacts of trauma, anxiety and depression. I offer support around common feelings of anxiety, self-criticism, and shame with an intentional focus on self-compassion and understanding. I hope to help you find your way forward, re-center yourself, and thrive.

So many circumstances in life can throw us out of balance. The chaos and upheaval we've experienced over the past few years at a global, national, and personal level has most people looking for ways to re-balance. I am currently providing support via telephone and Zoom. I have experience supporting caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. I also work with people struggling with relationship and professional challenges. Having someone to talk to can really help restore balance and improve your quality of life during stressful times.

Everyone feels lost at times and unsure what to do. I believe that reaching out for support creates an opportunity so that a new path can be discovered. I love people's stories and I see my role in the therapeutic relationship as a tremendous privilege. I strive to help you understand the behaviors and thought patterns that bring you to therapy and guide you in bringing harmony within your environment and empowerment within yourself.

My interest is in working with children, adolescents, families, individuals of all ages, and couples. My primary interest is in helping families navigate significant changes and transitions in their lives. I believe that everyone in a family is interconnected, and changes in one member’s life inevitably affect the whole unit. This includes everything from coping with a sudden diagnosis—whether physical, mental, chronic, acute, etc.—within the family unit, to dealing with divorce or uncoupling, to sibling relationships and any other challenges that may disrupt and impact the family.

Whatever reason brought you here, I am inspired by your bravery; you’ve taken the first step! It’s important to me that you have autonomy over your therapy. Here’s some insight into me to help you decide if I am the right person to accompany and support you on your journey. I am passionate about finding the root causes of undesired emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. I encourage healing through non-judgmental compassion, education, and mindfulness. I typically practice through a feminist, trauma-informed theoretical lens, although I embrace eclectic approaches to best suit your unique identity.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has experience working with adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, major life transitions, stress, mood disorders, relationship challenges and/or low self-esteem. I assist clients to analyze the past and present in order to gain insight on how they can cope with their situation effectively. I utilize a holistic and collaborative approach by incorporating psychodynamic, strengths-based and cognitive behavioral techniques to tailor sessions in order to meet clients’ specific needs.

If you’re from an environment that didn’t encourage talking about feelings, starting therapy is probably awkward and foreign to you. But there should be no shame or embarrassment about therapy. Many of us suffer from anxiety, depression, stressful life transitions, and relationship issues, etc., and could use a safe space to let out the stress and process the many things we have going on. With self-empowerment, exploring your identity & emotions, and identifying patterns of behavior and their triggers, I can help you prioritize yourself and in turn, find healthy ways to thrive in your personal, social, and professional life.