Find a Therapist in Wheeling, IL

Deciding to seek therapy can bring up uncomfortable emotions. My goal is to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can be your authentic self and feel supported throughout your healing journey. Life is full of unexpected changes, and we may feel lost or question our abilities along the way. This can interfere with maintaining positive relationships with ourselves and the people we care about. I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life transitions, self-esteem issues, relationship problems, healing from childhood trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and personality-related challenges. I work with teens, adults, and people in BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. My approach depends on your needs, whether that means being here to listen or helping you build the skills you need to cope with emotional struggles. Some of the therapeutic techniques I like to use are person-centered therapy, trauma-informed approaches, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness. I would be honored to be part of this journey with you!

You don’t have to have everything figured out to start therapy. You don’t even need to know exactly what’s “wrong.” Often, therapy begins simply with the feeling that something isn’t working, and a desire for things to change. If you, or your child, are navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or a major life transition, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck. Past experiences, difficult family dynamics, or sudden loss can shape how you see yourself and the world around you. You might come to therapy knowing you want to feel better, even if you don’t yet know what that path looks like. Whether you want to process past hurt, build confidence, manage big emotions, or simply have a safe space to be heard, you don’t have to carry it alone. My approach is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and centered on you. I don’t view therapy as a process of “fixing” you or telling you what to do, because you are not a problem to be solved. You are the expert on your own life. Together, we’ll move at your pace to make sense of your experiences, build practical coping tools, and nurture a deeper sense of self-worth. As a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Illinois, I work with children, teens, and young adults, and my goal is to help you understand where you’ve been, feel grounded in who you are today, and gain the confidence to navigate whatever comes next. Ready to take the next step? If you’re ready to slow down, gain clarity, and build a life that feels authentic to you, I’m here to walk alongside you.

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.

Based on new discoveries in neurobiology and the science of intimate relationships, my approach will help you and your partner each more fully develop a core set of emotional habits that have been proven to lead to satisfying relationship over 90% of the time. Throughout the process you can expect that I will... - understand and care about the things that are most important to you. - expertly guide you (and/or your partner) through the stages needed for healing and change to occur. - provide clear direction and give step-by-step guidance about how to do things differently. - operate on the basis of established scientific evidence about relationships, rather than personal opinion.

I take an integrative approach to therapy, tailoring my methods to each client's unique needs. My practice draws from person-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), existential and narrative therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques. I also incorporate multicultural and social justice frameworks to ensure a holistic and inclusive approach that acknowledges the diverse experiences and identities of my clients.

Don't settle for a generic drug and alcohol therapist. You deserve help that actually helps you feel happy again. (And, that's in-network with your insurance). The program at this Symetria clinic goes beyond traditional therapy to treat everything hiding behind the drugs or alcohol — all while still living at home! Treatment here helps you rebalance your brain, create healthy thought patterns and heal underlying issues (like trauma, anxiety, depression or family conflict). In addition to our therapy sessions, you have access to Dr. Saeed MD. He helps with any physical symptoms, including detox, anti-craving medications like Vivitrol or medications like antidepressants. Or...stick with therapy only. It's your treatment (and we actually listen).

I enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds and strive at the beginning of counseling to establish a trusting relationship. Then, I collaborate with patients to identify agreed upon goals for their specific concerns. Typically, the counseling process involves addressing multiple areas of a person's life, including how one thinks, the choices one makes, how one relates to people, and how one regulates and expresses his or her emotions. As the counseling process unfolds, I work with patients to refine and modify goals as needed. The services I provide are characterized by empathy, genuineness, respect, and empowerment.

You're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck. Maybe you're navigating a life transition, struggling in your relationships, or questioning your worth and abilities. You may feel pulled in many directions while losing sight of your own needs. You don't have to face these challenges alone. Together, we'll create a supportive space where you can build confidence, manage difficult emotions, strengthen relationships, and move toward a life that feels more balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with your values. I strive to create a safe, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where you feel empowered to explore past experiences, navigate current challenges, and create meaningful change. I believe therapy is a collaborative process, and I work alongside you to identify your strengths, develop practical coping skills, and move toward the life you want to build.

I love to help people heal from childhood trauma and abuse. I have several years of experience in dealing with eating disorders and body image issues. I integrate spiritual issues if desired. I also work with individuals that suffer due to addictions, anxiety, OCD, and depression. I am empathetic, supportive and holistic in my approach including somatic and body awareness and cognitive and behavioral changes through dialectical therapies (DBT). I look forward to working with you.

Welcome! I’m a holistic trauma therapist and a shamanic healer. I’m trauma-informed, with a feminist systems and Jungian theory approach. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin. I have experience working with a range of issues, including eating-related challenges, bipolar, trauma-related conditions (posttraumatic stress (PTSD) and borderline personality), attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), depression, addiction, and anxiety. My background also includes time in an inpatient adult unit, where I supported clients dealing with chronic suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and addiction. Other experience includes all levels of care for eating-related challenges. I support holistic and homeopathic medication solutions, as well as psychiatric medications, as appropriate and desired by the client. Individual shamanic sessions are also available. These are provided through journey work and trance meditation, with included elements of reiki, energy work, tuning forks, crystals, and aromatherapy. Session focus can include curse work, soul retrieval, house cleansing, attachment and cord removal, origin family, spirit animals and protectors, psychopomp work, shielding, past lives, and more. Free 30-minute consultations available! Call 608-492-1265 ***NOTE: Self-pay clients only; no insurance accepted! Pagans, witches, and Buddhists welcome!! Only serious inquiries, please!***

My approach to therapy is warm, compassionate, and centered on creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients can feel comfortable exploring their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. I work with teens, young adults, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, self-esteem concerns, and life transitions. I believe healing happens when clients feel genuinely supported and connected, and I take a whole-person approach that considers the mind, body, and emotional experience throughout the therapeutic process.

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.