Counseling and Wellness

Both as provider and a human with mental health needs, I believe most people could benefit from having safe time to check in about life’s struggles and work to improve oneself. Good therapy provides a predictable, safe, and honest space to check in and process life’s events, as well as identify and act on broader goals, habits, and needs. Media misrepresents therapy in that good therapists do not offer advice or provide immediate solutions to all of life’s problems. Meaningful therapy looks like helping individuals discover their innermost desires and empowering them to begin making moves to actualize those goals and dreams. Active work on one’s life is then needed, moving toward wholeness instead of happiness as an end goal. The buddhist practices of mindfulness and radical acceptance can help us learn to identify and accept unchangeable parts of our lives so that we can be empowered to act where/when we can. 

I have over 10 years social work experience working in community mental health and as an outpatient therapist for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. I utilize an eclectic trauma informed approach to pull skills from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, person-centered therapy and motivational interviewing to cater interventions to each individual’s unique set of symptoms, goals, and readiness for change. I specialize in treating adults with anxiety disorders, PTSD, depressive disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders, and substance abuse and addiction. I have provided outpatient therapy related to: life stressors and changes, grief and loss, goal setting, interpersonal/relationship issues, self-esteem, family dynamics, suicidality and self-harm, and trauma processing. I am newly certified in EMDR to treat trauma and am looking forward to implementing more of this technique moving forward. 

At Heart of Gold Chicago, you’ll receive counseling and wellness services in a “not your mom’s” office setting where all people and all bodies are welcome and celebrated. Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD tells us, “Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives.” Through meaningful connection and with encouragement and support, we’ll work together to bring forth your innermost light.