By picking up the phone and contacting a therapist, you’ve taken the hardest step: coming to an awareness that you would like to affect change in your life. I believe in an interactive, dynamic approach where together we explore the history of an issue, its effects, and most importantly, institute a positive plan for change.
This positive perspective is grounded in my training in Transpersonal Psychology that considers the spiritual or transcendent nature inherent in people. I also have an extensive background in mind/bodywork especially valuable in the treatment of trauma and anxiety.
My strengths lie in the ability to create a therapeutic relationship, which holds clarity, compassion, and respect as pillars in constructing a space for personal growth. I believe the process of change does not have to be painful or difficult but can be an adventure in self-discovery and knowledge.
I believe life is a Journey; sometimes wildly exciting, other times extraordinarily painful, and most often satisfyingly “hum drum”. Additionally, I have found that the perhaps unchosen and even undesired “closing of one door” often becomes the impetus which propels us toward growth.
Therapy is a tool we can use throughout the different phases of our journeys to enrich our lives. Whether short-term or long, therapy provides an avenue to explore today’s challenges, yesterday’s ways of doing things – which may now undermine our progress and tomorrow’s goals, as a springboard to growth. I have found this through my own experiences and as I have witnessed the process of change in others.
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I work with adults, either individually or as couples. I use an interactive approach, grounded in Gestalt Therapy with a focus on the mind/body connection. I specialize in grief and loss and navigating life’s major transitions, in recovery from past trauma, and gay/lesbian issues.
I believe in empowering people through health education and collaborative problem solving. As a psychiatrist I work to help individuals better understand themselves and their experiences and to remove the barriers created by psychiatric or psychological illness that may be holding them back. I chose psychiatry as a profession because I enjoy working with people, celebrating their victories and being a support during times of difficulty. I strongly believe that psychological care and pharmacologic agents have their own unique roles and benefits in treatment, but that individuals should be empowered to make decisions that are right for them.
As a Board-Certified Consultation-Liaison (CL) I help patients understand how medical problems can create or worsen psychiatric problems, and vice versa, and am skilled in understanding how to use psychotropic medications in the context of underlying medical problems. My clinical interests include psychological therapies (e.g., psychodynamic, CBT, brief dynamic, insight-oriented), application of mindfulness / meditation / yoga / wellness paradigms as adjuncts to treatment, and working with individuals who have diagnoses such as depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, OCD, trauma, and those who have both chronic general medical illness as well as a history of, or a new, psychiatric problem.
My approach to therapy is to provide a safe, non-judgmental place where we can work collaboratively on specific goals to bring about personal growth, healing, and healthier living. In a creative and caring environment, I help clients of all ages gain new insights, change behaviors, express difficult emotions, and find ways to foster healthier relationships. Many times people don’t have the words for what they are going through and traditional talk therapy merged with art therapy can help to unblock emotions, reduce stress/anxiety, increase positive thinking and create corrective experiences.
I specialize in working with children, adults and their families. I use holistic/integrative approaches and am informed from a number of different frameworks, most specifically humanistic person-centered, mindfulness-based and family systems. I have 5 years of experience in community mental health, hospital settings and expressive arts therapies.
Life can be scary, challenging and beautiful all at the same time. Sometimes we need a little help to get back on the right track, to feel unstuck or to just find healthier ways of expressing ourselves. It’s extremely courageous to make this first step into counseling and I feel honored to come with you on this journey.
It is a privilege to serve my community as a therapist/change agent. I have had the opportunity to
work with individuals, families, and entire communities during and through some of their most
challenging times. I engage people where they are with their challenges and try to choose an
approach organic to the situation and initiated through our partnership. I have encountered a
range of adolescent and adult challenges ranging from depression, anxiety, and trauma, to writer’s
block, homelessness, career issues, and general wellness.
Group work is a specialty I continue to learn from in its capacity to help people grow through
similar challenges and disseminate support particularly when working through grief,
addictions, depression, and domestic violence.
My style is open, supportive and person-centered; I work with anyone with the courage to seek
to grow as an individual and to embrace change.
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Board Certified Registered Art Therapist, and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I’ve had the privilege to work in various settings such as community work with grief and loss, adult inpatient substance use treatment, adolescent & young adult residential, and therapeutic day school setting. I have experience working with a wide range of client concerns such as emotional dysregulation, interpersonal skills, distress tolerance, mindfulness, anxiety/depression, identity development, life transitions, trauma, gender identity, and LGBTQIA+ issues, as well as grounding & coping skill building.
My practice is based on an Adlerian perspective, with a strengths-based approach, incorporating DBT and motivational interviewing. My area of focus currently is trauma-focused therapy, addictions, and identity development. I incorporate art therapy in a variety of ways for different reasons and interventions.
My goal as a therapist is to collaborate with my clients in their development journey. I believe my role in the therapeutic relationship consists of constructing a safe place for them to process their lived experiences and explore areas where they want to grow.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has experience working with adults dealing with a broad range of issues including life transitions involving loss of loved ones, stress from family caregiving, and changes in career, living and medical conditions. My therapeutic style is collaborative and empathic, with the goal of creating a trust where clients feel safe in discussing their struggles and working towards their goals. I value direct, down-to-earth communication where the client and therapist understand each other. I work with clients dealing with grief, depression, anxiety, and a range of feelings and use an eclectic therapy style, using techniques that work best for each individual.
Some of the basic orientations I utilize are Relational, Narrative and Psychodynamic approaches, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Mindfulness. To me, the overall goal of therapy is to help clients understand their thoughts, feelings, and reactions, and assist clients in healing/growth, with the goal of creating a more satisfying life. I consider myself fortunate to be able to bring to bear my experience and training in this professional role.
CPGI Chicago. 223 W. Jackson, Ste 360, Chicago, IL 60606.
© 2024 Chicago Personal Growth Institute. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Disclaimer
Web Design by 
