Find a Therapist in Wheeling, IL

I have a direct approach to helping people find more peace in their lives. No matter the diagnosis or issue, I tailor my practice to meet you where you are, in each moment.

The opportunity to help others, to get to know the depth of a person's thoughts and feelings is what I love about my work as a counselor. Mutual respect and trusting you to know best what you need is the cornerstone of what I believe. Helping you to believe it too is part of what drives my passion for helping.

I believe each of us has the capacity for change and resilience. I foster optimism because hope is key for envisioning new possibilities in life, motivating you to try something new, or encouraging you to change your life and yourself. I collaborate with my clients to make sense of and explore issues with relationships, work, and school, as well as issues such as grief, illness, immigration or relocation, and other life changes. Beginning therapy is a big step. I honor the courage therapy takes by offering a safe space and attentively listening. I draw upon interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic techniques, and adjust my style to meet the individual needs of each client. I work with young adults, adolescents, adults, and seniors from a diverse array of backgrounds.

Hello and welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois, and I’m so glad you’re here! I am Somatic and Attachment Focused (SAFE) EMDR-Certified integrated therapist, with a School Social Worker PEL, though currently work with schools as a Consultant. I come into therapy with a central focus on compassion, connection, and safety. I am a Polyvagal Informed and Neurophysiology and neurofeedback, biofeedback, and tools for healing the point of (mal)adaptive patterned Nervous System because it is under these conditions that we find we can think at our best. It also means we learn as we are calm and safe, so we aren't on constant hypervigilance. When we build a safe space, clients begin to understand that the healing they desperately seek, is within them... Coaches and therapists may guide them or facilitate a path through motivational interviewing, and then teach mindfulness to allow observation by separating from the experience of whatever we're holding onto. Polyvagal theory explains an evolved Nervous System, which goes beyond the Default Mode Network, to include the Social Engagement System. Not only does it help explain what may be going on as challenging and overwhelming emotions come up. It allows ways to move through them. We practice; we use PVT informed tools that are integrated deeply, and allow for the process to move at the pace of the slowest part of the system of each client. Many other therapies are involved than the ones I mention, because, for example, we use mindfulness to notice our patterns that may have once saved us, now cause more harm. We use CBT, as we learn about Cognitive Distortions, and often ACT, values and action oriented, and often DBT, daily tools for emotion regulation. I am the founder of Liminal Horizons, PLLC. I am also a leader at Sensing Fields. One is primarily for psychotherapy, supervision, Consultations for school systems and Communities (and individuals), and finally agree in significant challenges stemming from Survival Patterns. We use Somatic Parts Work, IFS, Clinical Emotional Freedom Technique, Neuropsychotherapy, and neurophysiology, including neuro and biofeedback for uses such as enhancing the depth and speed of the healing. Polyvagal Inspired Protocols are two of the options clients offer, the Safe and Sound Protocol and the Integrated Listening System (there is an extra charge to use a license). They are actively being researched, and show amazing results so far, from helping build a wider window of tolerance. If it feels like we ALL need healing, you are intuitive! To succeed, a global movement must occur. WE ARE NOT THERE, and THIS doesn't mean it's your responsibility. My goal and mission is to ensure access to those who want to understand their strong feelings, health problems, emotional and physical pain (which show up in the same part of the brain) can do so. Anyone who is ready to feel better, lower emotional 'triggers' and physical pain, want to feel less stressed, and more gratitude and joy, YOU ARE In The RIGHT PLACE. Mental Health involves so many more factors than we realized, until very recently. I promise that you can heal. I have been through a vey low bottom, and I have healed. There's more to go; it's a journey. I am honored to share things I've learned and am excited about 'ripple effects' of healing individuals and then communities, and onward and upward.

My approach to counseling is a collaborative journey in discovering and exploring what hinders my clients from fully functioning, reducing the stress, anxiety, and negative symptoms that prompted them to look for help. Given a safe and supportive environment, clients can gain awareness and insight to make sense out of our life experiences. Making a decision to find help...and then being heard can be a huge relief, and is the gift of therapy. I provide distance (video) counseling! Whether you reside or work in Illinois or Florida, distance counseling is an effective and easy way to approach counseling without having to go to the counselor's office. If you are new to counseling, feel free to reach out to ask questions; if you are familiar with counseling - you know it can be a great experience.

My approach to healing is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and practical support. With over 25 years of experience, I believe healing begins when you feel heard, understood, and respected. I strive to create a safe and trusting space where we can work through challenges together. I tailor my approach to your unique needs, helping you move forward from past experiences, develop healthier patterns, and find meaning in life’s transitions. Whether working with individuals, couples, or families, I bring a steady, compassionate presence, and a commitment to helping you create lasting, positive change.

My approach centers around ability to get and maintain a clear sense of self while you are in close proximity to a those who matter to you (whether you like them or not). The higher your level of differentiation, the closer you can get to others, because you're not afraid of losing yourself. It gives you a solid but flexible self, which allows you to make a decision to be influenced and to change (as opposed to having to change to stay on good terms with others). At high levels of differentiation, what others want in their life becomes as important to you as what you want.

While they are a vital part of our lives and can bring us so much joy - relationships are complex! Think about it - although people spend years learning and practicing most key skills, many people have had limited opportunity learning about relationships and emotional skills. I work with people who are often very successful in many aspects of their lives, but who get stuck in emotional or relational patterns. They know they desire for things to be different and more satisfying but are not quite sure how to get there. That's where therapy can be a powerful platform for change! My goal is to create a therapeutic space where people can experience themselves and others in a new, more intimate, compassionate, and meaningful way. I then support clients as they do the essential work of translating these experiences to make concrete changes in their everyday lives. I've been both a therapist and a professor. New clients repeatedly tell me that they don't want to just talk but that they want to learn "tools". My background in teaching influences my ability to help clients master the tools they need to impact the changes they want.

Thank you for visiting.  While it may be difficult for you to seek help for yourself or your family, my goal is to work together in a supportive and encouraging way to meet your needs.  Part of the therapeutic process will be to learn about what is challenging you and to emphasize on your strengths. With over 20 years of professional experience, and as a former classroom teacher and school counselor I have developed my practice and included therapists to focus and specialize in working with school-aged children and adolescents to overcome challenges while providing support and psycho-education for the entire family.    Some of my previous professional experience includes extensive university research in psychology, inpatient mental health settings, classroom teacher, school counselor, long-term care, and private practice.  My areas of expertise, include but are not limited to, anxiety, school refusal, depression, attentional issues such as ADHD, anger, behavior problems, divorce, academic challenges, OCDperfectionism, self-esteem, dual diagnoses, coping skills, parent coaching and support, social skills, and screen-time dependence and overuse.

Being well is important to face life's challenges which often change how we see ourselves, others, and our connection to the world around us. It can feel overwhelming, whether you are making intentional, positive changes in your life, or dealing with unexpected or unwanted events. We all need support with these changes through healing relationships of many forms - friends, family, partners, teachers, spiritual mentors, pets and therapists. I provide mindful and compassionate counseling for those seeking wellness, emotional growth and support through the challenges and changes in life. I have over 20 years of counseling experience in an array of settings, supporting adults and youth suffering from depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, relationship difficulties, ADHD, grief and loss. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and I believe in treating the whole person, with individualized strategies using CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and trauma related therapies. Through a supportive and compassionate approach with gentle challenges, we can develop a healthy path towards your goals, building resilience and empowerment, embracing your joy, and allowing you to live your best life.

As a therapist, my goal is to work together to find the healing process that works best for you. Since we all have unique needs and experiences, I like to meet clients where they are, whatever that looks like. My style is compassionate, calm, and curious. In session, I offer an interactive approach based on trust and respect so you don’t feel alone when things get messy. I also bring my genuine and authentic self to sessions, which means that I am there for you when things are heavy or when you need a bit of humor to brighten your day. I specialize in life transitions, burnout, anxiety, depression, trauma, sex therapy, couples therapy, and more. I use a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach and a variety of therapeutic techniques to cater to each client’s unique needs. If you’d like to learn more about myself or therapy generally, I’m happy to hop on a quick call to share more information!

I believe in the power of self-awareness and taking action. I am passionate about empowering my clients in making intentional choices to improve overall wellness. I have a direct, solution-oriented approach, which aids individuals in addressing problematic behaviors and thought processes that are negatively impacting their life. I focus on the power of self-awareness, the power of our own choices, and increasing skills of self-acceptance. Ultimately, I guide my clients to building resiliency and adaptive skills to cope with challenges and pains, which naturally come throughout life. My philosophy focuses on building a respectful, honest, and collaborative relationship with my clients. I believe each client is the expert on themselves and their needs. My personal areas of expertise include a holistic and eclectic approach using mindfulness, cognitive behavioral techniques, acceptance, and trauma-informed approaches. I am currently meeting with clients for telehealth appointments only. Through providing a warm, safe, and supportive therapeutic space, my hope is to help individuals identify their own goals for therapy and guide them in managing hurdles in their life. I believe we cannot address challenges in life in isolation, and I hope to offer the support needed to overcome any challenges in life.