Carly Murillo, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

I am a certified clinical trauma professional (CCTP) specializing in therapy for women and mothers in Chicago, Illinois. Are you navigating motherhood overwhelm, seeking grief therapy after loss, or experiencing past trauma that gets triggered in parenting? Maybe you snap at your kids over small things. You immediately feel guilty, wishing you could stay calm like the “good mom” you always thought you’d be. Or you feel resentful toward your partner, carrying most of the household and parenting load, while past hurts, broken promises, unmet expectations, or loss of trust still linger. Maybe the version of you that had hobbies, passions, and joy outside of motherhood feels distant or forgotten. You’re not alone, and you deserve to feel fulfilled, at peace with your present, and hopeful about your future. In our work together, we go beyond surface-level coping. We focus on understanding the deeper layers beneath the stress. I help you connect the dots between your emotions, your past experiences, and your current challenges so your reactions start to feel less confusing and more manageable. My approach is relatable, practical, and grounded in trauma-informed care, drawing on grief therapy, counseling the bereaved, and posttraumatic stress (PTSD) therapy to help you establish boundaries, communicate your needs and wants, and build a stronger sense of stability by prioritizing self-care and self-love. My goal is to help you feel clearer, more in control of your emotions, and more like yourself again, not just in your role as a mom, but as a whole person.

Hi, I’m Carly. As a mom of two, I know what it’s like to be needed all day, to feel numb to the world, overwhelmed with expectations, and frustrated with everything, while still trying to be patient, present, and “the good mom.” I don’t just understand it clinically; I’ve lived it. My approach is rooted in relatability and emotional safety, because real change can’t happen if you feel like you have to hold it all together for someone who doesn’t get it. You deserve support that actually helps you feel different, not just heard, but understood, supported, and equipped to show up as the version of yourself you’ve been missing. I offer late evening appointments because I know your time isn’t really your own during the day. Between work, kids, and everything else you’re holding, it can be hard to find space for yourself. Therapy shouldn’t be another stressor; it should fit into your life in a way that actually works. Click the link to call so we can find a time that fits your schedule.