Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Peoria, IL

We all experience difficult times in our life, whether the difficulty is trauma from your past, relationship issues, stress or feeling overwhelmed. Those difficult times may bring sadness, hurt, anxiety, loneliness or anger. I can help you let go and work through those behaviors and patterns that no longer serve a purpose for you. I will strive to help you gain insight, clarity and acceptance in your life. Counseling can help you create the life you desire and deserve. It takes courage to take the first step to become an even better version of you!

As a seasoned therapist of 32 years, I have a unique set of skills that allows me to assist in your healing. I practice the spiriutal concepts that I believe in and the healing techniques that I love. The techniques that I love the most are EFT, EMDR, Rapid Resolution Therapy, and Aroma Freedom Technique. These techniques allow me all that is necessary for us to heal your trauma issues or any other issues you may have. My passion is creating a space for all of us to unite and enrich your life. I look forward in working with you. Of course, I am well versed in typical cognitive/behavioral therapies as well.

Whether you are seeking support to heal depression, anxiety, the challenges of ADHD or traumatic experiences I am here to help you make change. Living with the disruptions that come with persistent symptoms like sadness, anxiousness, intrusive thoughts or an overactive mind can derail your ability to experience a sense of well being. You deserve someone who will listen to you, understand where you are coming from and give you effective tools to make the change you want happen.

“Emotional wellbeing is just as important to us as Breathing is!” We all need to know that we deserve happiness even if we aren’t used to it. I have been a Social Worker for 28 years. In that time, I have worked in Community Mental Health, Rehab to home and long-term care, and hospice. I believe creating an environment of trust and safety is the most important part of the therapeutic relationship. I have experience with grief, depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, and trauma.

"If you always do like you've always done You'll always get what you've always got..." That's just part of a quote attributed to many from Socrates to Einstein and many more. Where it originated from and who said it does not matter as much as understanding how it applies to you. Things happen in life, in and out of our control that shapes us emotionally, physically and spiritually. How we manage it, determines between a hopeful or hopeless life journey. Everybody has something. I offer support and encouragement in helping you manage your life's journey.

It takes courage to take the first step into a counseling relationship. Everyone needs help navigating life's issues and complexities from time to time. Sometimes these problems can lead to feelings of confusion, depression and anxiety. I want to assist you on your personal journey as you encounter life's challenges and obstacles. I am confident that each of my clients hold the capacity to overcome adversity, effectively communicate, make healthy life choices, and lead happy and productive lives. I believe that each individual is special and unique.

It's not easy to talk to a stranger about the things that make us feel most vulnerable. It's difficult to hope that things could be better or to believe that we could be loved or accepted once we are fully known. I work with my clients in an atmosphere of respect, believing the best things for you that you cannot see right now, working together towards the goals that you courageously speak out loud. After 15 years in practice, I have seen so many people find freedom from the fears and symptoms that hold them back and it brings me great joy and honor to walk beside them as they heal.

In today’s busy and often chaotic world it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Things like self-care and reflection are often overlooked and we find ourselves struggling to stay afloat.  Engaging in therapy can provide a healthy perspective from which to reflect on and address the areas of life that may need improvement in order to find balance and fulfillment in life.

I believe we all long for meaningful connections. My goal is to facilitate the discovery of meaning and connection within yourself and within your closest relationships. Trauma looks different to each individual, and I believe we do the best we can to cope using skills we have learned throughout our lives. Unfortunately, many of these skills no longer serve us in a healthy way in the present. Regardless of your past, or where you find yourself today, you deserve to be heard. I aim to create a safe, nonjudgmental space to process traumas and challenges, finding healing and peace amidst the chaos.

Being from Togo and living and working in many countries, I am deeply aware of how our cultures and life events affect our mental health.

As a therapist and human being, I believe in the power of counseling and its success at different times in one's life, whether for the purpose of personal growth or to address more serious mental health concerns or problematic behaviors. As a foundation to the counseling relationship, I help clients and families understand the process of therapy and that all people, children and adults, grow and heal on their own time. I believe that by providing a safe and supportive environment, clients are able to make positive, lasting change.

No one is meant to go through this life alone, although it may feel this way. If you have been struggling lately with situations, events, or mental health symptoms, you are in the right place. You’ve taken the first step in looking for a counselor, and many times that can be the hardest step. My passion is supporting my clients through person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapies and empowering my clients with the necessary tools they need to succeed. I incorporate client interests, such as reading, music, sports, art, and writing, into our sessions to best support clients as they are working through the therapeutic process.

It is my belief that all too often in life, we are dealt situations and circumstances we don't prepare for. We might feel as though we have no support or the proper care we deserve. I feel that therapy can be beneficial in ways that help us understand ourselves in a more positive and healthy way. I encourage putting our mental and physical well-being first, so that we are able to confront the challenges of everyday a little bit easier. I enjoy helping others find strength within themselves, and using this to lead a productive and beneficial lifestyle.

Body-image concerns, eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties impact our ability to grasp the life we long for. Simple pleasures such as enjoying time with friends, celebrating a special moment with a family member, going out for dinner, hanging out with peers, or feeling connected to our partner can be a daunting or impossible prospect. Stepping into therapy can feel just as daunting, but it can be the beginning of grasping the life you deserve. I have worked with adolescents, teens, adults, and couples to heal trauma, improve relationships with food and body image, and strengthen relationships.

Are you ready to stop letting that past hurt control your life? I welcome a client who is aware of being in pain but doesn't understand what it's about, how it got there, or how to heal the pain. One who is sick and tired of the struggle and that things never change. I know their pain isn't hopeless nor does it have to be permanent. I have great respect for my clients who risk the vulnerability of the therapeutic process and risk both the pain and the hope of the healing process.

You want a therapist that is different. You've tried therapy before and it felt like a waste of time. You know you need help but taking the first step is terrifying and hard. You’re scared of opening up and talking about things that most people don't understand. You don't want to waste your time with the same old therapy talk. You need someone who can provide some immediate relief, is safe to talk to, and will work at your pace. You are an expert on your own experiences, I am a professional who understands diverse ways of life. Tell me what you can, when you can, and I will be right here for you.

Children and adolescents are under more pressure now than ever before from social stress, transitions and divorce, bullying and past trauma. I specialize in providing therapy for children, adolescents and adults. I believe that there are no bad kids or bad parents. It is through my family centered, solution focused approach that I encourage my clients and their parents to begin to celebrate their unique abilities. I also focus on the whole person, exploring academics, career, diet and nutrition, medical, social support any and all elements that impact my clients.

My approach to therapy is holistic and collaborative. With a listening ear, my commitment to you is to use the knowledge, insight, perspective and tools I have learned as a professional therapist to partner with you to gain greater self-awareness, manage stress more effectively and be empowered to find positive paths forward. It is my goal to help people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations succeed in achieving their desired goals. I understand the importance of finding connection with your therapist. When seeking help, one often feels vulnerable. I will provide a safe space as we process struggles towards resolution.

Although it may seem unattainable right now, hope, restoration and even joy are possible after trauma and loss. My aim is to provide a safe place of compassionate care to assist you towards personal healing, growth, and resilience. My experience includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, health and mental health care across the lifespan. Additionally, I have provided curriculum development, consultation, and instruction to resident physicians and mental health clinicians in training. I help those who have experienced interpersonal trauma move towards healing and wholeness.