Find a Therapist in Villa Park, IL

You feel stuck in your own head, and sometimes, stuck in your past. There are moments when something small happens, a tone of voice, a look, a shift in someone’s energy, and suddenly your body reacts before you can think. Your chest tightens. Your thoughts race. You feel anxious, shut down, overwhelmed, or not like yourself. It can feel like you are having a reaction that is bigger than the situation, but in the moment, it feels completely real. You might replay the interaction for hours afterward. Wondering what you did wrong. Wishing you had responded differently. Feeling frustrated that you keep getting pulled into the same patterns, even when part of you knows better. At times, it can feel like you are being pulled back into an earlier version of yourself, one that learned to stay small, stay quiet, or stay on guard. On the outside, you may look capable and put together. But inside, you feel the constant undercurrent of anxiety, self-doubt, or emotional overwhelm. I help people who are experiencing these patterns begin to understand and shift them at a deeper level. My approach is grounded in EMDR therapy, which helps your brain and body process the experiences that are still shaping how you feel and respond today. These reactions are not random, they are often connected to earlier experiences that your system has not fully processed. In EMDR, we work with those experiences in a way that does not require you to relive everything all at once. We move at a pace that feels safe, helping your nervous system begin to settle and your responses begin to change. Over time, many people notice that those intense reactions start to loosen. The moments that once felt overwhelming begin to feel more manageable. You may find that you can stay more present, respond in ways that feel more like you, and trust yourself more in situations that used to feel triggering. This work is not about forcing change or fixing something that is broken. It is about helping you understand what your system has been holding onto, and creating space for you to respond, connect, and move through your life in a way that feels more aligned with who you actually are.

Welcome, I’m glad you’re here. I’m a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with a background as a teacher, coach, and former athlete. I specialize in working with adolescents and young adults, especially those who are navigating the pressures of school, sports, identity, and mental health. Before becoming a therapist, I spent years in the classroom and on the field, supporting students and athletes as they pushed through challenges, setbacks, and self-doubt. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to perform under pressure, find your voice, or bounce back from a tough loss, whether that’s in sports, academics, or life. Those experiences taught me how to listen actively, communicate clearly, and motivate people from all walks of life. Today, I bring that same energy, adaptability, and compassion into my clinical practice. Today, I bring that experience into the therapy room. I offer a supportive space where young people can open up, feel heard, and begin to understand themselves more deeply. My approach is practical, relatable, and rooted in evidence-based methods. I work with issues like anxiety, motivation, identity, performance stress, substance use, and family conflict, always with respect for each client’s unique story and strengths. I believe that therapy can be a powerful tool for building confidence, emotional awareness, and lasting change. Whether you’re an athlete trying to find balance, a teen feeling stuck, or a parent looking for support, I’m here to help you move forward with clarity and purpose. Therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is life. I draw from my diverse professional and personal experiences to offer practical insight, heartfelt support, and a strong belief in your capacity for resilience and transformation. During my time away from the office, I’m fortunate enough to have two children (a 20-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son) who certainly keep me on my toes! Watching them grow through this very difficult stage in life has given me a real sense of the challenges they face, too. I’m a baseball lover and spend much of my time watching my beloved Milwaukee Brewers! In the fall, I bleed blue and orange cheering on my forever team, the Chicago Bears! I love summer festivals and concerts, and I try to get out to as many as I can before the weather turns!

I teach people to find freedom through truth and alignment by cutting through illusions, delusions, and false belief systems that limit their potential. I guide clients toward deeper self-truth, alignment, and empowered decision-making. When you cut through the noise of old patterns, you create space for growth, healing, and a life that reflects who you truly are. If you are facing anxiety, ADHD, parenting stress, relationship challenges, life management challenges, or past trauma, my approach will be very fitting for you. You might be wondering about my approach. I use an integrated approach of solution-rooted talk therapy with mind-body practices (nutrition, TCM philosophy, yoga). I help clients move through challenging moments at work or home with unshakable clarity—no more knee-jerk reactions, no more losing your center. Most clients notice meaningful shifts within the first month as we uncover what’s holding you back and co-create a plan aligned with your truth, values, and goals. My mission is lasting freedom and balance—let’s work together to build a life that reflects your clarity, peace, and authentic vitality.

How many times have you awakened feeling like things just aren't going to get better but you're not sure how things will change though you know they have to? What I know is that kind of anxiety and frustration, that feeling of anxiousness and/or depression doesn't set in overnight. It takes some time to build up to the point where you are at now. There is help out there and you are not alone. I believe that each client who walks through my door is unique and has experienced things in ways that others have not. Your perceptions are individual and need to be treated as such. I work with the client as a whole and encourage clients to use their strengths to help guide them through whatever troubles them. Life is stressful and filled with many challenges; our strength is put to the test daily. We all face dilemmas in our personal and professional lives that cause conflict in ourselves and our relationships. You are at the point now where you feel that deeply which is why you are looking here. I believe strongly that giving honest and forthcoming feedback helps clients look within themselves and use their own experiences as a guide to gain insight. Every experience we have creates who we are, good and bad. We just have to learn how to manage it.

Whether you're aware or not, you find your feelings getting in your way. Perhaps you can't recognize them, or why they're causing you trouble. Boxing them up, pushing them away, or denying them doesn't work anymore. You want to manage on your own but haven't been taught how to do so. Having a compassionate, thoughtful, supportive, at times snarky, person to help you find your own path forward can be just the thing to get you back on your own two feet. Together we can process your past, and help you come up with new ways to navigate life's ups and downs, and side to sides. I offer a safe and comfortable place to work at the edge of your comfort zone. We will explore what brings you to therapy, no matter the topic, no matter your lifestyle. I'm here for you. With support and understanding, you will be better able to understand and cope with the experiences that have brought you to therapy. Respecting your personal experience, identity, and personal level of tolerance for puns and dad jokes, I will work with you to collaboratively address whatever brings you to therapy. Call now for an initial consult at 407-413-8169, or to schedule an initial appointment.

As a clinical psychologist, I am a compassionate listener, yet an interactive therapist. I attempt to facilitate personal exploration and understanding with the clients with whom I work. In therapy we work together to address one’s challenges in order to allow greater access to one’s strengths in living life. I encourage independence in the clients with whom I work whether related to their health, career, academic pursuits, relationships, andor finding a sense of purpose or meaning in life. I will be found to be respectful of biological, psychological, and environmental influences in understanding client concerns and in supporting their progress in finding life more manageable and ultimately more fulfilling.

When most people enter my office, I find that the first thing they want to do is tell me their story. How they ended up here. This moment, whether it's with an individual or couple, is what makes me passionate about my work. Most people seek help because they have struggled with problems for a long time, or they are dealing with changes that are challenging and scary. My role as a therapist is help you begin the process of change by thinking about your story in new ways; ways that feel hopeful and positive. Using evidence-based approaches in my work, I focus on understanding the symptoms that are causing your distress, the motivation for change, and work to set clear goals. Whether I'm working with you as an individual or couple, my hope is to help change the thinking, behaviors, and emotions so that you can live a more happy and balanced life.

My therapeutic approach incorporates various techniques and philosophies to meet the unique needs of my clients. I have used client-centered, positive psychology, CBT, play therapy, talk therapy, art therapy, and solution-focused techniques. I am always looking to add new therapeutic techniques to meet my clients’ needs. I enjoy working with children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing: anxiety, stress, depression, child behavioral issues, parenting challenges, and life changes adjustment issues.

Change, healing, and growth can be difficult journeys. Why take them alone? I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to be yourself and share whatever you feel comfortable with. I use a person-centered approach to therapy, which means everything is at your pace and comfort level, and you are in control of the conversation. I enjoy working with clients of all ages, but one of my passions is working with teens and children. I have worked with teens and children for about 10 years, and I have had a few different jobs teaching youth swim lessons, as well as coaching youth and high school swim teams, before becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and working with these age groups in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Seeing a young person become more independent and confident in their skills, whether in an activity or in therapy, is amazing to be a small part of. I am also very passionate about working with people of any age who identify as neurodivergent (this includes things like attention or hyperactivity differences, autism spectrum, or sensory processing differences). These kids and teens tend to have a more difficult time in school because schools are not designed for them. Adults with these differences may similarly struggle in the workplace or with daily tasks. I try to help every client explore their own experiences and alleviate any guilt or shame. My third passion area is working with the LGBTQIA+ community. I am a member of this community, as well as an ally and advocate. I enjoy working with clients to explore this part of themselves, as well as their experiences, so they can become and love their most authentic self. I am involved with local LGBTQIA+ organizations and am here to support and connect clients to local and national resources. I utilize a person-centered approach to therapy, but I also use other therapy types and techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and positive psychology, and I use a trauma-informed approach with all clients. I also use some basic play therapy and somatic therapy principles. I also work with clients in many other areas. Please see the specializations tab for a more comprehensive list. I truly believe that the journey to self-exploration, self-acceptance, and self-love changes lives. I know that it changed mine. I hope I can be a safe, supportive presence in your journey to being your truest and Youest You. “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” -Dr. Seuss

I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship and work in a collaborative nature to help clients create health and balance in their lives. I work from a strengths based approach and believe in clients' ultimate ability to achieve their goals, make changes and create the life they want to live. Working from a relational perspective, I help clients create new narratives that move them forward and build healthy, sustainable relationships.