Counseling
Individual counseling provides a safe and supportive space to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Though I specialize in disability-related issues, I am experienced in supporting those with a multitude of mental health concerns. At this time, counseling services are for residents of Illinois only.
Counseling Services Include:
Individual Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) provides an opportunity for self exploration, insight, and processing emotions within a trusting therapeutic relationship. I provide virtual psychotherapy for residents of Illinois ages 14 and up. You can read more about my therapeutic style and approach below.
Individual Art Therapy
Similar to talk therapy, art therapy is an arts-based form of psychotherapy whereby using materials such as fibers, clay, paint, and more, clients are invited to explore their emotions, process trauma, and make sense of complex themes in their lives. Art therapy can take place virtually or in person.
Small Group Art Therapy
Coming Soon! Small group art therapy invites a small group of clients with a common goal (to process grief, to connect around a unique experience, or to learn an arts-based coping skill) into the art studio for a short series of weekly sessions. Small group offerings will be announced as they become available.
Therapeutic Approach:
My highest goal as a therapist is to build a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship with each of my clients. Without a strong relationship, therapy can lack the safety necessary to be truly effective. To do this, I value taking the time to truly know my clients as people. I practice self-disclosure when it is appropriate knowing that I also need to show vulnerability for there to be trust. You will find me to be down-to-earth, expressive, compassionate, and open.
In terms of evidence-based techniques, I work from an eclectic framework pulling from modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Feminist Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Somatic Experiencing. These modalities can be utilized in both talk and art therapy. I enjoy helping clients strengthen their mind/body connection, understand their relational patterns, develop more self-compassion, and reclaim their sense of agency. With that, I also bring macro concepts into the therapy room and highlight how power, oppression, and our intersecting social identities influence our mental health and relationships.
I typically see clients who…
Live with anxiety and/or depression
Struggle with self esteem and body image
Have experienced various forms of past trauma such as medical trauma or complex trauma
Have congenital or acquired physical disabilities
Live with chronic pain and/or chronic illness
Fall along the “neurodivergent” spectrum (i.e. ADHD, Autism)
Are helping professionals, parents, and care givers experiencing burnout
Are neurotypical partners of neurodivergent people
Struggle with perfectionism and people pleasing
Are a young person exploring their identity
Want to develop self advocacy skills
Rates & Insurance:
I am considered “in-network” with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and United Healthcare PPO plans.
Out-of-pocket costs for sessions will depend on your insurance plan. I am happy to verify your benefits and share with you your individual rate before the initial session.
I offer a self-pay option for anyone not insured by the plans above and can provide a “superbill” to submit for potential reimbursement with other insurance plans.
Individual Therapy
(Self Pay Rate): $185/session
Please note that appointments that are not cancelled or rescheduled with a minimum of 24 hours prior to appointment time may be subject to a fee of $125.
Art Studio Space
For those who are drawn to a more artistic approach to therapy, I offer in-person art therapy sessions in my personal art studio space.
Located within the Art Colony in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood (near intersection of Belmont and Western Ave), my art studio offers a dedicated space for clients to engage in the creative process. The space provides a multitude of mixed media materials from paint to clay for client use. Clients may also provide their own materials should they wish to work with materials I do not have in-house. Artwork may be stored in the space on a limited and as-needed basis.
A note about confidentiality:
Because the studio exists within a more communal art space, there is a slight gap between the walls and the ceiling (as pictured).
I utilize a white noise machine to muffle any sound, however, any talking in the space runs the risk of being heard faintly by anyone in the hallway.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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At this time, I have a short waitlist for new clients. If you are interested in being added to the waitlist, please send me your email address, phone number, and typical availability for therapy sessions. As slots open up, I will reach out asap!
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Yes! I am currently an in-network provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and United Healthcare PPO plans. For clients not insured in these networks, I am happy to speak with you about your “out of network” benefits and provide you with a “superbill” to submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
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At this time, I do not have any sliding scale appointments available. As my practice grows, I have goals to create more sliding scale and pro bono opportunities as I recognize disability often goes hand in hand with financial hardship. I am still happy to correspond with any new client seeking care and send any referrals or resources I am able to. You are also always invited to join my free peer mental health support group (see more in the “Peer Resources” section of this website).
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No you do not! I find it is important to make my clinical specialty known as it can be difficult to find a therapist who specializes in disability issues. From my years working in mental health, I have experience with many clinical concerns and currently have several individuals on my caseload who do not identify as a part of this community.
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According the American Art Therapy Association, “Art therapy is an integrative mental health and human services profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art-making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.”
In an art therapy session, you can expect either a verbal or art-based “check-in,” such as a brief drawing, with the majority of the session used for art making based on the current concern or theme. At the end of the session, we will process the work together and discuss what came up or any insights formed. Art can also be used as a tool to be added to a talk therapy session for grounding or just for more enjoyment. Clients can move between artistic and verbal processing at any pace they would like.
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I mostly see clients on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Typically, it helps to begin with weekly sessions at the beginning of the therapeutic relationship to build rapport and then gradually reduce sessions as the client begins to feel more emotionally equipped. I currently see many clients on a long-term basis, however, I do see some clients for a shorter period of time depending on the client’s unique goals and circumstances.
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I offer virtual sessions via a HIPPA-compliant telehealth platform. Most therapy sessions are conducted virtually, however, I offer in-person art therapy sessions in my Chicago art studio, located near the intersection of Belmont and Western Ave.
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Yes I do! It’s very important to me to meet and get to know one another before the initial intake session to assess for fit. I typically meet with new clients for about 15-20 minutes via video call.
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Yes and no! As a mobility aid user myself, it was imperative to find an art studio that had an ADA accessible entrance (no stairs), which in Chicago was very difficult to find at an affordable rate. The building my studio is in has no stairs to enter and my studio is on the first floor. The front door is somewhat heavy and I will need to meet each client at the door to escort them inside due to building security. What is not ADA accessible is the building’s restroom. Located on the second floor, you must walk up a flight of stairs to use the restroom facility. I am happy to discuss more specifics depending on your individual access needs.
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The disability community is vast and beautifully diverse. I will do my best to work with each client and accommodate their access needs. For instance, in the past, I have initiated sessions via phone call or facetime to remind clients who struggle with time management due to ADHD. If you have had difficulty engaging in therapy due to your disability in the past, I would love to hear how I can support your needs and make accommodations. If I am unable to, I will be honest and try to problem solve any solutions or share any resources I can.