Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in Pontiac, IL

To me, therapy is a collaborative experience with the intent to promote real change and liberation. I place great value in the therapeutic relationship that is fostered through honesty, warmth, acceptance. Through the therapeutic relationship, I hope to establish a safe and non-judgmental environment that encourages vulnerability and change. Working together, we construct effective coping techniques, communication skills, healthy boundaries and behaviors, and improved life functioning.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 20 years’ experience working in the mental health field. I have experience working in a variety of settings including private practice, community counseling, in home services and acute hospitalization. These experiences have allowed me to gain the knowledge, techniques and approaches to help my clients get back to a comfortable place in life.

I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental, and affirming space for all children and adolescents. I come to every session with a warm and empathetic energy, always inviting them to come as they are. I do this through empathetic listening, validation, and support. I tailor the therapeutic work based on the strengths and needs of the child/adolescent I am supporting, and I bring a client-centered and strengths-based approach to each therapeutic relationship. I have experience in working with children/adolescents who struggle with anxiety and depression and need support in coping with daily stressors and transitions.

I am a Therapist and have been providing mental health services for 5 years in outpatient and in home settings.

My greatest wish in life is to be able to help make a difference in the world; counseling is my way. I have confronted a variety of issues, and work well with complex conditions. Some include depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, adoption, self-esteem, bullying, family conflict, ADHD, defiant behaviors, anger management, and attachment concerns. My work also extends to parental support in working with their children / adolescents more effectively in communication, discipline and affection. My main desire is for all clients to know they are not alone and help them on their journey. I will adapt to meet your needs.

You deserve to be heard, understood, validated and supported. TraShona is a clinical psychotherapist, specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties. While she works with clients across the developmental lifespan, TraShona has expertise in providing evidence-based therapies to couples, adolescents, and young adults. She is committed to providing a safe space for you, by ensuring that the therapeutic relationship is a collaborative and connecting experience.

My ideal clients are not perfect. My ideal clients are humans with challenges and strengths of all kinds. My ideal clients are those in need of softness and compassion as well as tough love and confrontation. I can best support adolescent and adult clients that live with depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum issues, identity/purpose challenges, and grief. My clients want to feel freedom from suffering. My clients want to learn how to navigate communication and relationships. My clients want to feel joy, to have hope, and to appreciate and love themselves.

Sometimes life stress piles up and we find ourselves needing to talk things through with someone. Starting or returning to therapy is a courageous step so it’s important to find the right therapist. I work with people who may be struggling with anxiety at work or in relationships, emotional pain from the past, struggles with sex and intimacy, and navigating life transitions. Often times my clients want to see changes take shape in their life. These changes may look like feeling more confident and self-assured, more present with the people they care most about, enjoying a more fulfilling sex life, and a sense of self-mastery.

I earned a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from National Louis University. I have experience working with clients aging from adolescence through older adults. I believe strongly in the power of the theraputic relationship and the innate strength and ability that people already possess to come to a place of healing and emotional wellness. I enjoy working with person-centered, solution focused, DBT and cognitive-behavioral therapy. I recongize that no one approach will work for everyone, so my treatment is always tailor made for the individual.

I am passionate about helping individuals work towards personal growth and increased satisfaction with life. I believe in a collaborative approach, that meets clients where they are at, and using compassion, respect, and humor to develop a therapeutic relationship. Using a nonjudgmental approach to help individuals more clearly see the habits of the mind that create unnecessary suffering and offer strategies to reduce their negative effect. Utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness I help client's learn skills to increase understanding of thinking and behavior patterns, and learn coping strategies for emotion regulation, stress management, communication, problem solving, and relaxation.

I believe in building collaborative relationships with my clients. Many of the people who come to see me are insightful and know that certain behaviors or symptoms of depression, stress or anxiety are holding them back. We will work together to both help you develop better coping and self-esteem, as well as developing a better understanding of your issues and problems. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and DBT skills can help with this. For more information on my background please visit the "credentials" page on my website. To reach out, please fill out a contact form on my website. This will expedite my response.

Accepting new clients. Lorie (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with a client-centered and trauma-informed approach to therapy. Since 2004, Lorie has a wide range of experiences within the community mental health setting as well as working with individuals of all ages struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, life changes and transitions, grief, anger management, stress management, geriatric issues, LGBTQ+ issues and personality disorders.

I am a highly skilled clinical psychotherapist and gerontologist, having worked in various mental health and educational settings since 1996. I encourage clients to integrate what they learn and experience in therapy to their life outside of sessions, equipping them with accessible, practical, and easy to use resources. My style is engaging, collaborative, and strength based, which create realistic and sustainable plans for positive outcomes for overall wellness.

My clinical areas of specialty include sex and sexuality, reproductive mental health concerns (e.g. postpartum mood and anxiety concerns, navigating infertility, perimenopause & menopause, PMDD, etc), anxiety/mood, and relationship challenges. Some folks I work with also might describe themselves as sensitive, deep thinkers/feelers. Overall, I often support clients in growing self-compassion, increasing self-awareness, living more aligned with their values, and in creating a life that feels sustainable and meaningful.