Therapy

You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from therapy.

Many people come to therapy because something feels off. Maybe you’re feeling more anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. Others come because they want to better understand themselves, improve relationships, or navigate a specific challenge or transition.

Therapy can be helpful if:

• You’re noticing patterns you want to change

• You’re feeling overwhelmed by emotions or stress

• You’re going through a life transition

• You’re curious about yourself and want to grow

You don’t need a perfect explanation or a clear “reason” to start. If something is pulling you toward therapy, that’s enough.

Support from friends and family is incredibly valuable, but therapy offers something different.

A therapist is a trained, neutral third party whose role is to focus entirely on you. In therapy, you’re not worrying about how your words might affect the other person, managing their emotions, or holding back to protect the relationship.

Therapists are also trained to:

• Recognize patterns that may be hard to see on your own

• Offer tools and strategies grounded in evidence-based approaches

• Help you sit with and process difficult emotions in a safe, structured way

Both types of support matter, but therapy creates a space that’s uniquely yours.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer and that’s actually a good thing!

Some people come to therapy with a specific goal in mind. Once they feel they’ve processed what they need to or built the skills they were looking for, they may feel ready to discontinue.

For others, therapy evolves over time. What you work on in the beginning may shift as your life changes, your awareness deepens, or new challenges arise. We adjust our focus according to the needs that arise.

Some people also choose to engage in therapy as an ongoing form of support and self-care, similar to how we care for our physical health through ongoing exercise. It becomes a space to check in, reflect, and stay connected to yourself.

We’ll move at a pace that feels right for you, and you always have a say in how long therapy continues.

This is a really important question and a common concern.

The relationship between you and your therapist is one of the most important parts of therapy. It’s also something that can take time to build. It’s normal for it to feel a little unfamiliar or even uncomfortable at first.

If something feels off, you’re always encouraged to talk about it. Giving feedback is not only welcome, it’s a valuable part of the process. We can adjust, clarify, and work toward creating a space that feels more supportive for you.

At the same time, you have full autonomy in choosing a therapist who feels like the right fit. If you decide that another provider or approach would better support you, that’s completely okay.

There are many different professionals in the mental health field, and it can definitely feel confusing.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Therapists (like LCPCs, LPCs, LSWs, LCSWs, LMFTs) are trained to provide talk therapy and support emotional and psychological wellbeing. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Social Workers (LSWs) are entry-level licensed professionals that can see clients for therapy under the supervision of an experienced professional. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) are advanced licensed professionals who can diagnose/treat mental health conditions and practice independently.

• Psychologists (PhD or PsyD) are also trained in therapy and may focus on assessment, testing, or research.

• Psychiatrists (MD) are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and may also provide therapy.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), which means I have advanced training in clinical mental health counseling and am fully licensed to provide therapy. My work focuses on helping clients understand themselves, build skills, and navigate life’s challenges. I do not prescribe medication, but I can collaborate with other providers if that support is needed.

Whole Self Therapy operates as an out-of-network practice.

While insurance can make therapy more accessible in some ways, it also comes with limitations that can impact the quality and flexibility of care. Insurance companies often require a mental health diagnosis, may limit the number of sessions, and can influence the type or length of treatment.

Working outside of insurance allows for:

• Greater privacy and confidentiality

• More flexibility in how we approach your care

• The ability to focus on your unique needs, rather than insurance requirements

That said, I understand that cost matters. I’m happy to provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, so it may be helpful to contact your insurance provider to better understand your out-of-network benefits. Additionally, I reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots for those who may need additional financial support.

The first session is really an opportunity for us to get to know each other.

I take a down-to-earth, relational approach to therapy, and I like to spend some time understanding the bigger picture of who you are, not just what’s bringing you in right now. We may talk about things like your background, family dynamics, relationships, work or school, and any relevant medical or mental health history. We’ll also explore what led you to reach out for therapy and what you’re hoping for moving forward.

It’s not meant to feel like an interrogation or overly clinical process— more like a collaborative conversation that helps us begin to understand your experiences and what therapeutic support might look like for you.

At this time, I offer virtual therapy sessions.

Telehealth has made therapy more accessible and flexible for many people. It allows you to attend sessions from the comfort of your own space, reduces commute time, and can make it easier to consistently prioritize your mental health within a busy schedule.

Many clients also find that being in a familiar environment helps them feel more at ease and open during sessions.

While I may explore opening an office location in the northwest Chicago suburbs in the future, virtual therapy currently aligns best with both my practice model and the needs of the clients I serve.

Most clients start with weekly sessions, especially in the beginning. Meeting weekly helps us build rapport, gain momentum, and create meaningful progress toward your goals.

From there, we can adjust based on what feels most supportive for you. Some clients choose to move to bi-weekly sessions over time, while others may shift back to weekly sessions during more stressful or demanding periods.

Therapy is meant to be flexible and responsive to your needs. The only thing to keep in mind is that while we can always adjust frequency, specific appointment availability may vary.

I take an integrative, relational approach to therapy, meaning I draw from multiple evidence-based approaches depending on your needs, goals, and preferences.

Some of the approaches I commonly use include:

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Helps identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.

• ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Focuses on building psychological flexibility, helping you relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions while moving toward what matters most to you.

• ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention): A highly effective treatment for OCD and anxiety that helps reduce avoidance and build tolerance for discomfort.

• IFS / Parts Work: Explores different “parts” of yourself with curiosity and compassion, helping you better understand internal experiences and build a more connected sense of self.

While these frameworks guide the work, therapy with me is never one-size-fits-all. I prioritize building a strong, trusting relationship and tailoring the process to you as a whole person.