Art Therapy in Northfield, IL

I have over 20 years experience. I work with children, adolescents and young adults. I do family therapy, groups, individual and couples therapy. I work with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADD/ADHD, oppositional and conduct disorders, bi-polar depression, and learning/academic issues.

Do you sometimes feel like you can't get beyond events that have happened in your life? Do you feel troubled or haunted by them despite your best efforts to move on? Are you withdrawn, unpredictable or irritable, releasing your feelings on the ones you love most. You may feel like you can't control your emotions or life. We work to help you understand what is happening in your brain and body that prevent you from digesting what has happened and to help you put it in the past, to move on. At The Juniper Center, we're helping you live your best life.

Whether you are seeking therapeutic support to find new perspectives on old issues or have been confronted with a new crisis, finding the right therapist can seem daunting. Regardless of your presenting problem, you will be welcomed into a safe, nonjudgmental environment. We will work thru the dilemma and come to a resolution that enables you to feel better. I began my career specializing in children and adolescents in the school setting and subsequently have expanded to young adults, adults, couples, and families. A particular focus and thread throughout my career has been the ongoing support and advocacy of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sometimes even day to day activities can feel overwhelming. Whether you are a child just starting school, an adolescent going through changes, a young adult navigating being on your own for the first time, or a parent who is struggling with understanding your child, know that you are never alone. Taking that first step in asking for help and seeking out therapy is understandably difficult, even if it isn’t the first time, but can make a world of difference. Therapy is a way to better understand you and/or your child’s experiences, while also creating healthy coping skills, boundaries, and sense of self.

As a firm believer in the power of genuine human connection, the dynamic between my clients and I is of my highest priority. A professor and mentor once said, “The question should not be, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ But rather, ‘What has happened to you?’” This quote shapes every conversation I hold with my clients. I am dedicated to breaking down the stigma of traditional talk therapy, particularly for young folks, by empowering my clients to rewrite their own narrative and understand their neurological roots, to become the best version of themself, for themself, their relationships, and their future.

The human experience can be challenging at times. One can encounter situations leading to feeling powerless, in pain, or stuck. At times, this can look like an individual ruminating in the past or experiencing levels of depression. Or possibly, one can also be worried about the future or experiencing anxiety levels. I value the autonomy that people have and their ability to problem solve. Yet, I also acknowledge that a constructive and intentional space could provide efficiency for individuals maneuvering through various situations. As a counselor, I intend to help you within this space and support you on your healing journey.

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, confused, frustrated, discouraged, disappointed, lost, anxious, sad or angry, you are not alone. Most of us experience those feelings at some point in our lives. We care about the people we serve, and we believe every person is individual, authentic, and unique. We use evidence-based practice (EBP) methods for mental health to help children, pre-teens, teenagers, adults, couples, and families to live their best lives. We understand that therapy can seem scary and intimidating, though we know that finding the support you need is the key to starting the self- healing process.

My therapeutic approach is rooted in the belief in the healing power of authentic self-expression within a safe and nurturing setting.I offer a non-judgmental space for clients to explore their strengths and challenges. I employ trauma-informed care to facilitate recovery, and my practice is underpinned by a commitment to social justice and multicultural sensitivity. I recognize the complexities of identity and the unique challenges faced during acculturation. I assist clients in navigating these issues without re-traumatization, fostering resilience, and self-expression.

As a parent, you want your child to be happy and successful. You want a calm, peaceful home where everyone feels safe and comfortable. If your child is sad, irritable, withdrawn, isolating, not sleeping, complaining of stomachaches or headaches, not getting the grades you know they can achieve or they just don't seem like themselves, our team of child and adolescent therapists will do everything in their power to help your child get back on track and feel better. Our therapists are easy to relate to and they get good results.

Life can be an unexpected wave in the water that makes you feel unsteady, or it can be a giant wave that overwhelms you, and it keeps coming, and it is hard to regain your sense of balance. But when a helping hand reaches out, it can help you to find your strength and balance. Whether it feels like a big or small wave, I can be that support and guidance so when the waves come, you can brace them and keep going. I believe in providing empathetic care and guidance through a collaborative therapeutic relationship by navigating the unique experiences that influence each client’s life.

My passion for being a Psychotherapist stems from the desire to help others reach their highest potential, no matter the obstacles in life. Individual therapy creates a confidential, caring, and safe environment that promotes self-discovery and growth. My philosophy aims to meet you where you are and to guide and support you by building hope, resiliency, and self–love. I will empower you by using therapeutic strategies that instill aspiration, courage, and progress. Couples treatment provides a safe and trusting environment where we can identify issues and achieve growth.

Throughout our lives we face many different changes that require us to transition. We navigate shifts in our relationships both within our families and outside of our families. We experience shifts in our careers, parenting, in loss and in love. With every new chapter, we process these changes and we move forward.

Life gets complicated. You have been trying all that you know how to do to make things better for yourself or for someone you love but have run out of energy, ideas or both. You may have a relationship with someone you love but just can't seem to get along. You may be a parent trying to best figure out how to help a child or teen who is having problems. You may feel burdened by sadness, fear or stress.Or, perhaps you have old wounds that seem to keep interfering with you creating the life you want.

Are you feeling overwhelmed in your life- work, parenting/care-taking, health, transitions? Are you working on your relationships? Or do you feel like you can't stabilize your moods? My clients are struggling with waves of depression, anxiety, overwhelm, how to handle relationships, or just trying to learn more about themselves and their mental health.