Blue Cross Blue Shield Therapists in Illinois

With an empathic and genuine ability to connect with others, I have worked extensively with Immigrants and refugees, the LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented communities of color. My aim is to meet the demand for culturally sensitive, person centered services where people can Identify and feel safe and comfortable on their healing journey. I have also worked with people experiencing homelessness, substance use and co-occuring mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and trauma.

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Professor of Counseling Psychology at Loyola University Chicago. I specialize in treating mood concerns such as anxiety and depression, adjustment and acculturation challenges, and relational or family-of-origin neglect, abuse and attachment disruptions. This includes using EMDR to assess and treat both single-event and complex trauma. I also maintain a recognized subspecialty in career-development concerns, such as working with professionals navigating demanding careers, burnout, career uncertainty, and challenges with work-life balance. My therapeutic style is warm and collaborative in nature, and I create space for self-reflection, guidance, and humor. I utilize an integrative approach that incorporates elements of contemporary somatic, cognitive and trauma-focused/informed theories to help you create meaningful and lasting change in how you relate to yourself and others. Finding the right therapist can be incredibly difficult to do and I commend you for taking the first step. Please contact me to schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation to see if we are a good fit!

I am so proud of you for taking this step! Deciding to go on this journey is not easy, but I am more than happy to help you navigate it. I am Dr. Arielle Smith, LCSW and I am a psychotherapist. I use a client centered approach which allows me to meet you where you are in life, while providing an atmosphere free of judgment, and full of positive regard. I encourage you to give yourself grace, become your best self, while holding you accountable, and challenging you to be greater.I provide psychotherapy to those who feel that they have lost themselves, may be transitioning, are overwhelmed with past trauma, or those who often feel anxious and shy away from their potential. During our time together, you have the ability to explicitly express yourself, with conversation and feedback that promotes healing, self-discovery, personal development and reflection. Together, we will go on a journey to explore self-worth and purpose. We will begin or continue the healing process, create goals, coping skills and necessary boundaries. You deserve to feel good, be great and continue to have a life you love!

We all endure adversities and challenges that can cause us to question our identities, our relationships, and our lives. Managing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and stress on our own can leave us feeling overwhelmed, confused, and lonely. It is in the midst of such distress that we benefit deeply from receiving warm and empathic support. Given the unique complexity of each person’s life experiences, I emphasize multicultural sensitivity and the use of a holistic approach to therapy. My therapeutic orientation is humanistic integrative. I utilize evidence-based therapeutic models and interventions, and I adapt them to the unique needs of each person that I work with. I incorporate trauma-focused approaches and specialize in working with traumatic stress, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship issues, & anxiety and mood disorders. Honoring who you are is an essential part of experiencing a collaborative and compassionate relationship. Therapy is a space for you to feel seen, validated, and supported while working towards goals that reflect your own needs and desires in wellness and personal growth. I have served as a therapist in college communities, residential and primary care settings, and in community mental health agencies. In addition to my work as a therapist, my clinical research has focused on therapeutic care for women who have experienced loss due to sustaining spinal cord injuries.