Art Therapy in Wilmette, IL

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Registered Art Therapist. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, and young adults. I served as a Child & Family Therapist within the Trauma Treatment Program at Children’s Research Triangle (CRT) from 2012-2018, taught graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of Art Therapy & Counseling at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago from 2017-2019, and entered private practice in 2019. Outside of counseling, I am an artist, mother of two, and spouse.

Val has woven traditional talk therapy and creative techniques to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space for individuals, youth and families to work through difficult life experiences. They have extensive experience working with youth and families managing the challenges associated with emotional and behavioral problems, domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health concerns, and various traumatic life events. She believes in an empowerment and strength-based approach while fostering an environment that encourages self-acceptance, self-awareness and growth.

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try..." If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, or having difficulties in your interpersonal relationships I offer more than 30 years of clinical experience and a creative therapeutic approach. My goal is to treat each individual based on the whole person, rather than simply a diagnosis or label. I employ a holistic and less threatening approach to working through challenges. You will have the opportunity to focus on areas of strength to foster growth, gain personal empowerment, and create life shifts.

Life is filled with sorrow and joy, frustration and wonder, stagnation and growth, obstacles and openings. At times, our skill set and resources are not optimal for helping us adapt to the shifts and movement in our lives. I believe that art therapy and counseling can support understanding of our skills and resources that better equip us to adapt to life's changes. Art therapy allows opportunities to imagine the best, healthiest version of ourselves and permit clarifying moments where we perceive possibility and potential. My goal is to support clients in becoming active agents in developing positive, purposeful ideas towards wellness and good health.

When I begin to work with a new client, my goal is to understand each client and see his or her strengths, abilities, and positive qualities. Very often new clients, especially children or teens, are so used to thinking or hearing about their problems that they themselves seem to forget their own positive traits and attributes. I really enjoy helping foster resiliency among my clients, helping them recognize their capacities to cope, heal, and move beyond feeling stuck or powerless. My approach is very effective with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, low self esteem, and feeling overwhelmed in life.

Sometimes people aren't sure what to work on in therapy. That's okay! We will work collaboratively to identify core concerns, and decide together how to address them. Some issues I've helped people work through include depression, grief, pregnancy loss, life transitions, creative blocks, self-esteem, disempowerment, and spiritual alienation. My approach is insight oriented and psychodynamic, and while I am an art therapist, my work is not always art-based. However, as an artist, I've found that my understanding of the creative process illuminates many life situations that benefit from creative problem-solving.

Are you ready to improve your coping skills for your anxiety, panic, grief, or trauma that is affecting your daily life or relationships? Are you going through a life transition such as college to adulthood, change in relationship or career or finding yourself in a life transition you were not expecting? These are my areas of specialty, to help you achieve your personal goals while we lower your anxiety by increasing your coping tools. I focus on skill-building areas like self-esteem, social skills, communication and self-confidence using a variety of therapeutic techniques that work for you. Clients say they feel seen & heard.

Getting started in therapy can feel like a challenging first step to feeling better. At our practice, we strive to make this a smooth transition where you will feel heard and understood. Our primary goal is focused on developing and maintaining a safe, open, empathetic, and trusting dynamic with each client. Together we can move through difficult or challenging life experiences in a warm and accessible way.

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.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and I work with Children age 6 and older, Teens, Adults and Families. My approach to therapy varies based upon the needs of each individual. I am an in-network provider for BCBS PPO.

I provide psychological therapy which focuses on the way that people think and behave. My practice specializes in working with children/adolescents and college/post-college adults who have problems adapting to their current life circumstances. Each person brings into treatment all their experiences, both joyous and problematic, which provides a base for the development of individualized goals and objectives.

Since 2009, I have I have worked with children, adolescents, adults and parents with a special focus in anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, grief and loss, and life transitions. I have the Level 1 Theraplay Certification which works with children and parents to enhance attachment and increase self-regulation skills. I believe in focusing on bridging the therapy space to other environments so parents and schools will be included in treatment planning and updates. I also work with new and expectant parents, and received the level 1 PSI training to help support in this significant life transition.

I utilize a combination of somatically-focused, cognitive, and psychodynamic approaches to assist you in understanding your concerns. I'd love to help you address current changes you'd like to make, but also address underlying concerns so that current struggles are less likely to resurface. I specialize in tailoring treatments in developmentally attuned ways. With adults I assist clients in understanding how their life journeys have led them to their present concerns, and work on uncovering and undoing patterns you may find less effective.

For over 15 years I have worked with children, teens and adults managing difficulties with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. The diverse experience with each age has given me insight to share in the therapy room with you. I address each challenge with great care and energy to help move toward growth with you or your child to find understanding and greater ways of coping, being in relationships and thriving.

My ideal style of therapy is suited to clients who believe that the relationship between therapist and client is paramount to the ability to change. I believe that change happens at the crossroads of challenge and non-judgement and this is the primary focus of my treatment- creating a safe environment in which clients believe they can present their issues and have them challenged in a supportive and non-judgemental way. I firmly believe that all clients have the ability to heal and grow regardless of personal, historical, professional and relational challenges.

I am a licensed professional counselor providing individual and family therapy in Polish and English language. I like to establish an open communication and trust with my clients, so we can better understand each other. Through an effective communication, I can help my clients develop guidelines for making accurate life decisions. I like working with children to help them achieve their full potential in life. I use variety of psychological testing to better understand my client's behavior, skills, thoughts, and personality. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behavioral therapy program.

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.

Being a child, an adolescent, an adult, is not easy. School, working, navigating relationships, parenting, family life, finding time for yourself, coping with loss, stress- We all face times that are challenging. Everyone deserves a safe space to share their story, feelings, & experiences & have their truth be heard & held. I am passionate about helping children & adults as they navigate difficult moments in their lives. I am skilled at listening, providing support, guidance, & compassion as individuals strive to make meaning, heal, connect, problem solve, successfully participate, & find joy in their lives. Change is possible.

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.