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Therapists answer…

Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?

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Kimberly Wielgus

LCSW, Psychotherapist
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
My interest in working with and helping others began at a young age. I saw that there were so many people struggling with mental health difficulties and drug & alcohol addiction, and some could not move on with their lives.  I wanted to learn more about these challenges and what I could do to help. Throughout my career I worked in many different settings and came across so many challenges, and realized there is a need for more therapists.  It motivated me to start working with individuals one-on-one, and independently, rather than in large settings where I was not fully able to work directly with each person.  
Hello, and welcome.  I invite you to my practice, to guide and support you along the way, in your journey in caring for yourself.  Do you have difficulty with managing stress and are looking for the tools to help you get through the day? Are you feeling down, or maybe anxious, and need someone to just listen? Or perhaps you’re going through a very difficult time and want to talk to someone but you don’t even know where to begin. With a warm and empathic counseling style, you will find that in working with me, you are supported from a non-judgmental standpoint, and together we will build a trusting relationship where you can feel comfortable.     I offer free 15-minute consults. Contact me to set up a time to talk, and we’ll take it from there.   Know that you are not alone, and you deserve to get the help you are looking for.  
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Emma Peters

LCPC
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
This is such a great question. It's hard to ignore the fact that my mother is a therapist (marriage and family, specifically). So some might say it's in my blood. However, my path to becoming a therapist was very different than hers. Growing up, I found myself noticing challenges within my community that seemed to be avoided or taboo. As a community, we experienced frequent tragic deaths of teens related to drugs, alcohol, and mental health challenges. This inspired me to want to make those realities something that could be openly discussed. I focused the early stages of my education and career on substance abuse treatment, thinking that's where I could have the biggest impact. After several years in the addiction side of the field, I again noticed a big gap in the needs of mental healthcare. I found myself drawn to working with young adults who were struggling to navigate the challenges that come with entering into adulthood. It seems there are so many people who could benefit from having someone to talk through these challenges... outside of their family and friends who may not always provide unbiased responses. Whether it be navigating romantic relationships, financial stress, work-related challenges, finding balance within various aspects of life, changing family dynamics, or conquering the world of online/app-based dating... I truly have a passion for helping young adults through the MANY transitions and challenges that exist in their 20s and 30s. 
Welcome! You've taken a great step by exploring new ways to care for yourself through therapy. Many situations and life circumstances bring people to this space, and I look forward to talking with you more about your story. If you're even wondering if therapy might be right for you, then the answer is yes! Over the years, I've developed a passion for working with young adults and supporting the unique challenges they face today. I've found that many young (and even not-so-young!) adults are dealing with major life transitions, and struggle to navigate those new changes at times. This is where therapy steps in! As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois, I offer teletherapy services that allow you to experience therapy from the comfort of your home. When working with me, you can expect to gain new coping skills, tools for challenging and disrupting negative thoughts, new insights, and increased awareness of strategies for self-care and self-love. This process can be difficult at times, but I believe growth and change do not exist without some discomfort. You have taken the steps to begin (or maybe continue) your mental health journey and I look forward to the opportunity to support and empower you along the way! I hope to talk with you soon.  
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Dr. Sonia Dhaliwal

Licensed Psychologist
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I identify as a multiracial, bicultural, and bilingual psychologist. I was born in Kuala Lumpur (KL) Malaysia and spent my formative years in Nigeria, West Africa. I moved to the United States as an International student to pursue higher education and upon formal employment, was able to obtain my permanent residency card as an immigrant. I am very passionate about social justice reform and have a deep empathy and personal understanding of the immigrant experience and work to support and empower my clients who identify as immigrants.
Hello and bienvenue! I work with a diverse clientele and specialize in providing social justice oriented psychotherapy to people of color, as well as members of LGBTQIA+ communities. I provide culturally responsive therapy, which focuses on the strengths that you already have. I tend to use an Interpersonal Process theoretical approach (IPT) as well as a cognitive-behavioral theoretical approach (CBT) while also paying attention to your environment and access to social support. I work with you to build a safe space where you can share your experiences without the fear of being judged, and where you can focus on becoming clear about what you want, and how you want to go about making that happen. I believe that it is important to build a strong therapeutic relationship, as well as paying close attention to what is happening for you in-the-moment. I find it helpful to work to understand the different values and beliefs that we bring into the room, and how these worldviews might affect our interactions with each other. Understanding how your thoughts are related to your behaviors can empower and help you to actively account for your reality. You can use this insight to make the changes that will be necessary to live life more healthily.
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Jennifer Steiner

Clinical Health Psychologist
Online Therapy
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
I grew up with a chronic condition that caused a lot of physical pain. I also had several family members with similar autoimmune and pain conditions. I learned first hand and by watching my family members just how all-encompassing and overwhelming living with a chronic illness or chronic pain condition can be. I also learned that everyone handles it a little differently, and that for some people it can lead to a lot of sadness, worry, fear, depression, and feeling like other people "just don't get it". Unfortunately, there are not a lot of therapists who truly understand the way that living with an illness can impact your mental health and well-being AND who also understand that things like stress and worry can actually make it even harder to manage symptoms of pain and illness. I decided that I needed to do something about this- so I went to graduate school specifically to study Clinical Health Psychology and to learn scientifically backed ways to help support those with pain and illness. I now use both my personal connection and my professional knowledge to help others live their best lives possible.
I focus on helping people with chronic pain and chronic illness to regain control over their lives. Chronic pain and illness can take a major toll on the whole person- mood, relationships, work, sleep- the list goes on and on. When it starts to feel like pain or illness are impacting all parts of your life, it can lead to depression, sadness, worry, and loneliness; talking with a therapist who understands both the emotional and physical parts can help. In addition to my work with chronic pain and chronic illness, I also work with people going through the process of cancer treatment and recovery, as well as people with insomnia. I am a Board Certified Clinical Health Psychologist with years of experience helping those with medical conditions AND I myself live with a a chronic illness. My personal connection to this work is what makes me passionate about helping others dealing with pain and illness to live a full, meaningful life even with physical challenges.
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Ashleigh Tobin

(they/them), MA, LPC
Online & In-Person
Why did you become a therapist, and what motivates you to continue?
The most significant growth I’ve had in my own life has been a direct result of therapy centered around self-love and acceptance— it’s why I’m so passionate about creating space for others and why I founded Tobin Counseling. I am motivated to continue in this work because I know it matters. I have learned not to underestimate the power of a healthy connection with a therapist that shares your core values and how powerful it can truly be.
We’re all in the process of becoming ourselves, aren’t we? Therapy can be a powerful tool that allows us to be seen, heard, and supported. The most significant growth I’ve had in my own life has been a direct result of therapy centered around self-love and acceptance— it’s why I’m so passionate about creating space for others and why I founded this private practice. While there are all sorts of technical terms I could use to describe my theoretical orientation – relational, psychodynamic, interpersonal – my aim is to get to know your unique story and to be with you as you are and where you’re going. I founded Tobin Counseling in 2018 and am fully licensed in the state of Michigan. I provide Supervision Services for LLPCs in the state of Michigan. I also offer consulting services to therapists across the country. I specialize in the following areas: Sexual Identity, Gender Identity, Trauma, Oppression, Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Familial/Relational Boundaries, Spiritual/Religious trauma As a queer, non-binary individual, it is important to me to provide competent, tauma-informed therapy to queer and trans folks.