Racial Identity Therapists in Illinois

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!

​  My clinical experience includes working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I have worked in various settings such is psychiatric inpatient, residential centers, community mental health centers, and private practice. I graduated from Loyola University in 2009. I specialize in working with Eating Disorders and Sexual Trauma.  My approaches include; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed, and Gottman Method. I believe that creating a safe and non-judgmental environment is essential in order for healing to take place. It is important that clients have the freedom of self-expression and are not rushed through the therapeutic process. Working collaboratively, we will identify a framework that is validating and promotes growth. My approach is honest, empathetic, and relational in order to help clients gain self-awareness. By focusing on clients’ strengths and values, I help them learn healthy ways to overcome challenges and empower them to make positive changes in their lives.

I am a Board Certified and Licensed Professional Counselor who has been working in the field for over several years. With a passion for helping others, my patient-first approach to healing centers on simple, effective therapies. I am an empathetic, flexible, authentic, and reflective practitioner committed to providing counseling services to individuals throughout all walks of life. I am adept at working with patients from various cultural backgrounds and sexual orientations. I use a holistic approach that focuses on the mind, body, and spirit to promote mental health and well-being. As a bi-lingual practitioner, I believe in working within a multicultural lens and am committed to providing compassionate, collaborative counseling services and therapeutic approaches across the entire human landscape. A critical thinker and experienced mental health professional, I utilize mind-mapping techniques to help my patients achieve a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. I specialize in solution-based, strength-based, person-centered, and narrative methodologies derived through a neurocounseling and trauma-sensitive multiculturally competent viewpoint. I am a conscientious and dedicated practitioner in the field of behavioral/mental healthcare and the study of neuroscience. Throughout my career, I have helped numerous individuals, couples, and families treat various forms of ADHD, anxiety, depression, bereavement, family conflict, self-regulation, trauma, PTSD, and more. I am both highly empathetic and flexible, striving to provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for my patients, and enjoy exploring new approaches to counseling that can better meet their needs. Among my qualifications, I am an expert in Psychoanalytic Techniques, MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy), REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), incorporating various Art Therapy techniques as well as crisis and trauma intervention services.

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.

I am Taja-Nia, an adolescent and young adult therapist who helps clients control their behavioral response to difficult emotions, adjust to change, and live a life that makes them proud. My work with youth in various fields helped me discover my passion for Black and brown youth in underserved communities. These experiences led to the pursuit of my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Bradley University, and my work in clinical settings. As a program specialist in a major inpatient psychiatric hospital and crisis line volunteer, I have helped clients in crisis regulate their emotions and develop lifestyle changes to promote overall wellness. This was done by working with them to identify triggers, exploring coping skills, and plan for next steps. I believe therapy is a collaborative process between the client and the counselor, with the client being the expert of their own life. As such, I create a safe space and act as a guide, assisting the client as they explore past and current issues, unhealthy patterns, and identify overall goals. I utilize evidence-based strategies and techniques from an integrated cognitive-behavioral, individual psychology approach. Additionally, I incorporate aspects of mindfulness, solution-focused therapy, and motivational interviewing. Human behavior is learned and developed within social contexts. Each individual presents with unique views based on their developmental age, socioeconomic status, gender identity, familial background, and culture. Taking all of this into consideration, I meet clients where they are mentally and emotionally. Treatment is tailored to meet clients’ individual needs. I have experience with youth and young adults who present with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, suicidal ideations and self-injurious behavior, as well as disruptive behavior, life transitions, and trauma. I work with clients between the ages of 11 and 30 to effectively address problematic areas and identify mutually agreed upon goals. Psychoeducation is provided to increase understanding which assists in that goal setting and optimal client functioning. My ultimate goal as a therapist is to promote client insight, challenge faulty thinking, encourage behavioral change, and empower clients to take control over their lives in ways that lead to mental, physical, and emotional wellness.