Meet The Lakeview Team

I have experience working at Lurie's Children's Hospital Inpatient Psychiatric Unit and Partial Hospitalization Program. I have worked at multiple private practice's in the Chicagoland area before opening MSC. After opening the practice I developed a successful Leadership Workshop focused on confidence, stress, and leadership for middle school girls. During the pandemic we had to cancel all of our in person workshops. I began posting mental health content on social media to help my community. Passionate about prevention work, I am honored to have a following of over half a million that I share mental health content with! I have been in mainstream media such as The New York Times, Good Morning America, Counseling Today and gave a Tedx Talk about Investing in Your Mental Health. This past year, I was asked to participate in a partnership with Harvard University regarding content creation and mental health prevention work. Lastly, I provide mental health trainings and talks to high school teams, colleges, classes, and more. I have consulted on therapeutic cases and corporate wellness programs.

I have a passion for helping adolescents and adults overcome obstacles, develop mental strength, and build meaningful relationships. I have a wide range of experience in agency, school and private practice settings. I am committed to listening to my clients in a compassionate non-judgemental manner so that together we can process your experiences, build skills and generate solutions. Our connection is the most important factor in your success and my first priority. By understanding your established patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving we can identify what is keeping you stuck and discover new possibilities for your life. I am deeply connected to the challenges that accompany parenting and bring my clinical and personal experience into therapy. Having three children (elementary school, middle school and high-school-aged), allows me to better understand your parenting struggles. I have worked extensively with children diagnosed with ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, Depression and Autism, and believe that working with parents is an important part of the therapeutic process.

In my 6+ years of clinical experience, I have seen one quote to be consistently true. That relationships are the agents of change. From forging strong, supportive connections with my clients and their families to creating spaces of openness and vulnerability in parent and child groups- this quote has guided me in helping the families I work with find peace and healing. In my clinical background working at Plena Mind Center, a PHP program designed to support high needs youth, I worked extensively with: ⭐️ Kids and teens who struggle with OCD, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, externalizing behaviors, school refusal, self harm and suicidal thoughts. ⭐️ Parents to help manage intense behaviors, anxiety, depression, or OCD at home (ask me about Differential Attention or SPACE!) ⭐️ Schools to help advocate for the client’s needs. ⭐️ Parent and parent/child groups to help educate and foster a sense of community and belonging. I believe that the best kind of therapy incorporates creativity and fun and shows you every step of the way that you are not alone!

I am a psychologist specializing in evidence-based treatment for children and young adults with depression, anxiety, OCD, and behavior problems. I take a strength-based, collaborative approach to therapy focused on your family's values and goals. My approach is deeply relational and guided cognitive behavior therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. I am also currently a Research Assistant Professor at Northwestern University's Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science. My research interests include finding ways to increase youth access to mental health care and improving the effectiveness of mental health services.

As a previous school social worker, my focus has been on providing essential support to students, ensuring their success within the academic setting. I have conducted comprehensive evaluations for Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and facilitated 504 evaluations, employing both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Additionally, I have actively participated in crisis management, risk assessments, and collaboration within the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. My work extended to delivering social work services to students in general education, involving close collaboration with families, teachers, administrators, and the wider community. I have gained valuable experience in private practice settings, assisting children, teenagers, and their families in navigating life stressors and experiences. Additionally, I interned with AMITA Health's addiction services and volunteered on a crisis hotline for individuals experiencing homelessness and suicidal ideation. I have worked closely with individuals dealing with various challenges, including ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, depression, OCD, self-esteem issues, trauma, self-harm tendencies, adoption-related issues, divorce/separation, grief/loss, and more. Creating a warm and inviting environment for all my clients is of utmost importance to me. Recognizing that each client is unique, I tailor my therapeutic approaches to meet their individual needs. While drawing upon evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy, I also incorporate play therapy techniques when working with children. Integrating theories and practices aim to bring a safe space where everyone feels heard, respected, and supported. Within my practice, I provide a non-judgmental and empathetic environment, encouraging clients to share their struggles, challenges, and goals openly.

I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With my background in theater and yoga instruction, I strive to create a safe and grounded environment for every client. Acting and directing helped me explore themes of purpose, connection, and finding humor in struggles. After this, I pursued a yoga teacher certification to integrate a holistic and grounded approach into my therapy practice. I also incorporate interventions like ACT, existential, and strengths-based therapies. My approach to therapy is rooted in the belief that building a strong and trusting relationship with clients is essential for successful outcomes. I take the time to get to know each client and work collaboratively with them to identify their unique goals and needs. I also prioritize my clients' overall well-being, recognizing that mental health is deeply intertwined with physical health, social support, and a sense of purpose in life. Therefore, I encourage clients to engage in self-care practices and relaxation techniques, as well as to explore their values and passions outside of therapy. Ultimately, my goal as a therapist is to create a warm and non-judgmental space where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts and emotions, gain insight into their patterns of behavior, and develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate life's challenges.

I am a social worker who is committed to helping individuals work through short or long term difficulties. I have 4 years of experience working as a school social worker with children and teens of all ages. Throughout this time, I have worked collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, and the community to support the student’s social-emotional well-being and growth. While providing individual, group, and whole class services, I also conduct evaluations of students using both qualitative and quantitative data to determine if students need social work support in the school setting. The students I’ve served exhibit a variety of strengths and needs, and I have experience helping children and adolescents through symptoms of anxiety, depression, ADHD, anger, trauma, and general stress. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship with the client and using an individualized, strengths-based approach are both key aspects to a successful therapy experience. I will always offer a safe space where the client feels like they are heard, and the therapy will evolve based on the client’s changing needs. While I change my approach to working with clients depending on their needs and goals, I often utilize both CBT and DBT principles to provide tangible skills to help clients through difficult moments. No matter the approach, I will always provide a non-judgmental space for clients to safely explore their emotions and achieve their treatment goals.

I am a clinical social worker with experience with adolescents and young adult populations, and with topics such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, academic challenges, life transitions, and school avoidance. I have worked in partial hospitalization & intensive outpatient programs, foster care, and outpatient hospital treatment settings. I gravitate toward cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in order to challenge and interrupt difficult or disruptive thought patterns that can keep clients stuck in overwhelming moments. I also have some experience with motivational interviewing, behavioral activation, and dialectical behavioral therapy of which I bring into sessions. I always use a client-centered treatment approach to establish safety and trust within the therapeutic relationship, as well as strengths-based treatment to highlight the tools clients already have available to them. I provide a supportive environment for my clients to share struggles, challenges and goals which I believe is essential to growth and the work we will do in sessions.

My formal counseling journey includes a M.S. in Counseling and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Additionally, I bring a wealth of personal experience, 25 years of career experience, and a faith-based philosophy to those in need of healing. As a Counseling Director in a high school environment, I am uniquely qualified to provide therapeutic services to families navigating the education system. I have a passion for empowering young adults, adolescents, and children to reach their God-given potential through counseling, training, and mentoring. Selecting a therapist is a deeply personal process. My empathic and patient-centered approach will allow me to be your advocate throughout that process. We will work together to ensure that you receive the transformation that you seek even if it’s not ultimately with me. I believe that every person should strive to obtain peace and joy in their lives. My hope is that I will be a blessing to you on your path to freedom.