Interpersonal (IPT) Therapists in Illinois

Like many therapist profiles, this page could list my degrees and credentials, provide a vague description of what clients I work with, and be distant but warm; however, that is not how I work with clients or how I am in the world. I want this page to help you decide if we’ll work well together, not just list the things I’ve done. What you probably want to know is 1) do I know what I’m doing and 2) are we a good fit in working together. I have been working in the mental health field, specifically with eating disorders, since 2014 in a variety of capacities including inpatient, residential, and crisis stabilization programs. I am passionate about eating disorder recovery and collaborating with patients to find balance in their lives. I am body-positive and Health at Every Size (HAES) aligned. I have experience in working with families, couples, and individuals in addition to facilitating group therapy. My primary focus lies in helping to support clients and their loved ones in understanding and moving forward in the path to recovery through individual and family therapy. I have earned the distinction of being a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) by the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and have been an officeholder for the Heartland chapter of iaedp since 2019 and remained committed to pursuing ongoing education within the field. There are so many people who hesitate to come to therapy or to move forward in eating disorder recovery due to having been previously unsuccessful with a “one size fits all” approach. I work with you to figure it out. I’m not a smile-and-nod, sit in silence type of therapist. I'll call you out on your BS, but I can do that in a way where we can both laugh. I'm not afraid to talk about anything you need to talk about. Intrusive thoughts? Feeling like you’re the only person to feel this way? You’d be surprised to find that you’re not alone. Therapy will provide a safe space to be yourself and a supportive environment to help meet you where you’re at and work towards creating lasting change in your life.

It is my sincere belief that we are all just trying to do the best we can to make it through this thing called life, and life is hard. Sometimes life’s hardships result in trauma to you or your child, which can negatively impact emotions and behaviors. If your child is having difficulty managing their emotions or behavior, or if you are an adult who is experiencing emotional or behavioral dysregulation, I can help. I’m here to help guide the journey towards healing, whether it’s healing for yourself, your child, or your whole family.

Working from a feminist theoretical perspective, I feel that your unique voice deserves to be believed, be heard, and be taken seriously. I believe in creating a trusted space in which you feel comfortable to work through your difficulties, without fear of judgment or discrimination. My area of specialty is addiction. I am a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). I am also able to treat addictive behaviors such as gambling or spending. I have experience working with both individuals and groups struggling with severe addictions. I am able to connect you with higher levels of care if you need more support in your recovery beyond the outpatient level. I also specialize in LGBTQ+ and women's issues, specifically with transgender folks. I have helped many clients begin their gender transitions, including hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. Beyond my areas of specialty, I am able to work with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, life transitions, relationship difficulties, trauma, personality disorders, and more. Let's see if we are a good fit! I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wayne State University in 2013, and my Master of Arts in Counseling from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2019. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). I am also a National Certified Counselor (NCC), which is a board certification. I am fully licensed in Illinois as well (LCPC).