Female Therapists in Kankakee, IL

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, a non-binary individual, I cater to the needs of my fellow members of the community, especially transgender individuals. I have advocated for the LGBTQIA+ community for about four years, returning to my former high school to educate the advanced health classes on gender, sex, sexuality, and gender expression. I provide a unique experience that leads to my ability to relate to my communities and understand what they're going through.

Have you ever felt like you were battling an endless battle that you just can’t win? Or feel like you are the only one that has this many struggles in life and its left you feeling so alone? Life can throw you curve balls when you least expect it and knock you right off your feet. It doesn’t wait for you to say, “Hey ! I’m ready or for you to catch your breath after the last curve ball.” Sure there are moments were you may be resilient and then there are times you may struggle to get back up and keep going. This can leave you feeling emotionally drained, insecure, lost or feeling hopeless.

My belief is that everyone has the right to be heard, and accepted. I have been a counselor/therapist for over 20 years. I counsel individuals 18 years and over, including men, women, and couples.

Mary Grace Lacy, MA, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Illinois, specializing in a diverse range of mental health area. With a background in Psychology from Trinity Christian College and a Master’s in Community Counseling from Roosevelt University, Mary Grace is passionate about guiding individuals through their unique mental health journeys. In her therapy practice, she focuses on a wide array of issues, including childhood behavioral issues, school avoidance, relational issues, grief and loss, major life transitions, and mood disorders.

Hello, and welcome to my profile! If you are reading this, there is a good chance that you are searching for relief from a current issue or situation in your life that is causing you stress. Or maybe you are simply looking to explore where you are at, and where you are going. I am a licensed therapist with over 15 years of experience in helping individuals in all walks of life and in a variety of mental health settings which include outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient substance abuse rehabilitation centers, and the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Jillian Thornton is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and a Master’s of Human Development and Counseling. Jillian is an avid mental health advocate. Jillian applies her knowledge in CBT. DBT, BLT, narrative therapy and existentialism to aid in the change of each person’s awareness, happiness, and to eliminate people, places, and things that do not serve each individual that enters the therapeutic alliance. Outside of work, Jillian loves board games including Scrabble, Trouble, and Mancala. Her favorite pastimes are trying new foods and hanging with loved ones.

Robin Ybarra, LSW, helps clients focus on their strengths and build skills. She meets clients where they are and focuses on building a strong therapeutic relationship. Robin works with clients of all ages, but especially enjoys helping adolescents and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and challenges concerning the LGBTQIA+ community. She's also skilled at helping clients who have suffered from the traumatic loss of a loved one. In therapy, Robin uses a strengths-based approach and believes all clients can be resilient with the proper support.

I remember how intimidated I felt when I reached out to start therapy for the first time. I believe that with the right therapist, you can express yourself freely without fear of judgement and receive the support you need and desire. Everyone's journey and life experiences are different, so I take an individualized approach with my clients. I love helping clients build skills to manage feelings, address anxiety and fear of failure, and feel empowered to grow and change habits. I specialize in aiding clients with self-regulation, managing relationship challenges, developing better routines and implementing boundaries.

We all experience events, moments, and feelings that are too much to bear alone, and we all should have a safe, judgement-free space where we can regain focus and strength. One should have the means to vent about daily struggles, regain confidence through skill building, strengthen relationships through positive communication, process painful events, or regain a sense of direction in life. I seek to provide a space where any or all of the above could be accomplished at your own pace. I strive to ensure that your effort is respected and valued by being honest, empathetic, and straightforward.

Kellee Ward is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Aurora University. With extensive experience in both residential and community mental health settings, Kellee brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to her practice. She has worked with a diverse range of mental health concerns, including mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment issues. Her background also includes significant experience with substance use disorders and providing support to incarcerated individuals. Kellee is dedicated to offering individualized treatment plans tailored to each client’s unique needs.

I have a passion for working with those who are dealing with high levels of anxiety, and those with complex forms of PTSD who experience severe symptoms.

Michelle Flores is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. Michelle offers clients a safe space to talk when they are struggling to manage life. She is reliable and provides clients with unconditional empathy. Michelle offers her clients the ability to feel comfortable while being vulnerable. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys spending time with her dogs and chickens. She loves to spend time in her vegetable garden that she grows every year. She loves to spend time outside. Her favorite thing to do is read a good book outside when the weather is nice.

Malissa Roby is a Licensed Social Worker and a Life and Solution Focused Coach in Illinois. Malissa’s work focuses on targeting ineffective behaviors, habits, and beliefs in efforts to impact intentional change. As a trained and experienced helping professional, she views the healing process as an alliance between the client and the helping professional. Malissa’s theoretic approach is based on the belief that the client oversees their healing journey. Malissa will utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psycho-Education Therapy, Client Centered Therapy, and Reality Therapy to foster a safe and therapeutic environment.

Heather Perez, PsyD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in neuropsychological and psychological testing evaluations for individuals three years and older. Dr. Perez has worked with several populations, including those who have significant trauma histories, individuals who have experienced emotional and behavioral dysregulation, as well as neurodiverse individuals. Dr. Perez emphasizes the importance in forming a trusting relationship with each client and their family to provide the best environment for self-exploration and understanding.

Kristy Smith is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois who has been practicing since 2009. Everyone faces issues from time to time such as depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping and so on. Kristy can provide strategies that can help you to deal with these emotional problems and with the challenges that life presents. Sometimes we continue to use the same patterns of thinking and acting that we adopted when we were children. These sometimes no longer serve us well. Kristy believes in a direct, personalized approach to identifying and tackling the problems in life.

Welcome. I am so glad you have decided to take the first step to becoming the healthiest, most authentic version of yourself! Life can feel like it's kicking your ass sometimes. Maybe you wonder why things feel so out of control. We can all use some help to dig through the chaos! My goal is to offer a safe, collaborative, and judgement free space where you feel supported as you work through what drags you down. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, feelings of losing yourself, relationships, or simply want to make sure you are showing up for yourself and your people, I would love to assist you on this healing journey.

In this chaotic world, feeling broken is part of our shared human experience. The weight of helplessness, the shadow of sadness, and the sting of loss touches us all. But here's some truth- it's perfectly okay! Tears are welcome with me, feeling overwhelmed is alright, and allowing yourself to break is valid. You are never alone in these emotions and there is nothing wrong with you.

Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted, and like you "can't even?" No matter what you might be experiencing, from relationship trouble, depression, anxiety, finding motivation, navigating new experiences, it's hard out there in the world and adulting is not all it's cracked up to be. These experiences begin to impact how you start to think and talk to yourself and suddenly, without any warning, you're drowning in this vicious cycle and just want to scream for help. Maybe you feel more alone than ever. You don't have to be.

Nicole Roy graduated from Governors State University in 2013 with a Master's Degree in Community Counseling. She has spent time working in various settings including residential treatment and community counseling centers. Nicole uses a variety of treatment approaches tailored to meet the needs of her clients. She typically utilizes Cognitive Behavior Therapy but also includes aspects of Supportive Therapy and Solution Focused approaches. Nicole helps clients address a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life events.