Meet The 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 given mental health trainings/speeches 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.

I completed my predoctoral internship at a community mental health agency in Cleveland, Ohio and worked with young children and families. My postdoctoral fellowship was completed at SociAbility Chicago where I focused on working with individuals across the lifespan with social challenges stemming from autism spectrum disorder, social anxiety, and ADHD. I worked at Northwestern University as a project coordinator for a center focused on disseminating evidence-based practices related to developmental trauma. I work with children, adolescents, and adult populations. My experience spans multiple settings, including private practice, high-risk outpatient, schools, and daycare facilities. My clinical interests include anxiety, ADHD, childhood trauma, and social challenges. I also have extensive experience conducting and interpreting psychological and neuropsychological assessments. I take a strengths-based and empathic approach when collaboratively working with clients and families. I engage in regular communication with treatment providers, caregivers, and teachers to support continuity of care.

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.

Throughout my career, I have spent time working in both out-patient and inpatient behavioral health settings. My inpatient hospital experience includes treating children and adults suffering from mood disorders, eating disorders, self-injury behaviors, and suicidal thoughts and attempts. I have also facilitated family sessions to help educate family members about mental illness and developed personal safety plans along with individualized treatment options and support to prevent re-hospitalization. One of the most important elements of therapy is the connection between the client and the therapist. I work hard to provide a consistently safe, supportive and confidential environment built-on empowerment, trust and collaboration. Throughout therapy, we’ll partner together to set goals, identify and overcome barriers, & develop effective coping strategies to manage internal and external stressors. I believe in evidenced based treatment including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction in order to decrease symptoms and improve quality of life. I also use an Adlerian framework to identify the clients' Self-Concept (convictions about “who I am”) and the Self-Ideal (convictions about “what I should be”). This is a holistic and goal oriented theory.

I am devoted to helping adolescents, young adults, and adults with any hardships you’re having. I have diverse clinical experience in suicide prevention and have worked at multiple crisis hotlines. Clinically, at North Park Universities Counseling Services Center I had the opportunity to work with students from all different backgrounds through individual therapy. Students presented with a wide range of issues such as: anxiety, depression, trauma, transitional issues, self-harm, disordered eating, academic problems, identity, and self-esteem issues. It's my belief that the relationship with the client is the most important element to a successful and beneficial therapy experience. I vow to listen to every client in a non-judgmental manner and create a safe space to openly discuss your thoughts and emotions. Together we can strengthen your understanding of self, learn helpful coping strategies, and instill healing. I utilize several theories to best meet the goals of my clients, including a strong focus on Person-Centered, CBT, and DBT approaches. My goal is to build a strong therapeutic relationship with a foundation of trust. I believe in guiding my clients at a pace that you’re comfortable with to get you where you want to be.

I have worked as a school social worker for several years in the Chicagoland area and I have experience working with children and teens of all different ages. My experience includes supporting and advocating for students’ emotional, mental and physical well-being while also consulting and supporting their parents, and/or teachers, to promote healing and mental health wellness. I also have experience creating and modifying Individualized Education Plans and 504 Plans. I believe that building a strong connection and trust with the child and their family are key components to treatment. I work with clients from various diverse backgrounds and have experience working with children and young adults who suffer from Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Loss, Gender and Sexual Identity Issues, Self-Harm, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disorders. I offer a supportive, encouraging, and positive environment during my sessions and I tailor my approach to match the individual needs of each of my clients.

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 mental health therapist with a wide variety of experiences including working in private practice providing individual therapy to children, teens, and young adults. My clinical experience includes working in an inpatient psychiatry unit at the Lurie Children’s Hospital as a Recreation Therapist and Milieu Therapist for children and adolescents with a wide variety of mental health needs and varying ability levels. I have experience working with children and adolescents with depression, anxiety, autism, and various behavioral challenges. Additionally, I have experience working with school-aged children in an after-school program as well as providing in-home behavioral therapy to children with autism. I completed my internship here at Main Street Counseling and now work here as an individual therapist. I treat every individual I work with compassion, empathy, and understanding. I aim to provide a safe space for my clients to help them better manage the specific challenges they are dealing with. My specific approach to therapy is modified based on the specific needs of the client however I consistently utilize a strengths-based approach to therapy. I utilize concepts from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) as well. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship between myself and my clients is at the core of a successful therapy experience.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who is passionate about working with children and adolescents who are navigating unique challenges in their lives. When choosing my profession, I felt drawn to counseling because I want to help facilitate positive change in my clients lives and to provide support when needed. In addition to working as an Individual Therapist, I work as a Milieu Therapist at Lurie Children’s Hospital providing care to children and adolescents in an inpatient hospitalization setting. Throughout my experience providing counseling, I have learned that there is no single approach that is right and fitting for every unique client. This is why my sessions and treatment plans are tailored to the needs of my client and what works best for their presenting concern. My clinical experience includes working with children and adolescents experiencing depression, anxiety, sexual trauma, high risk behaviors, and self esteem issues. I have worked in various therapeutic settings including an inpatient hospitalization unit, residential facility, community mental health centers, and schools. My approach is focused on building a trusting, collaborative relationship with my client and highlighting their strengths to work towards their goals and overall potential. I utilize concepts from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy in my practice. I am passionate about continuing to learn and grow in the mental health field in order to incorporate different theories into my practice. Regardless of the approach that will be necessary to achieve my client’s goals, I always provide an empathic, non-judgmental safe space for my clients to explore and process difficult feelings and experiences.

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 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.

I am a psychotherapist specializing in evidence-based treatment for adolescents, young adults, emerging adults, and older adults with eating disorders, mood disorders, transitional issues, academic problems, identity, self-esteem issues, trauma, and OCD. I completed my clinical internship for my master’s program at Ascend CHC where the focus of my work was working with individuals across the lifespan with eating disorders at an individual and Individualized Outpatient Program (IOP) level of treatment. I also have extensive experience conducting neuropsychological assessments. Prior to joining MSC, I have gained valuable experiences in the realms mental health, neuropsychology, personality disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and autism spectrum disorder As a Latine woman, I understand the stigmas that are associated with mental health. I believe that cultural competency is essential when working with individuals from different backgrounds. I strive to provide a safe, judgment-free, no shame, accepting, and positive therapeutic space for clients to grow and feel supported through an empathetic and collaborative approach. I truly believe that the relationship with the client is the most important element to a successful and beneficial therapeutic experience. I believe in meeting the client where they are at and fostering confidence and healing. I utilize several theories to best meet the goals of my clients, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and mindfulness, with a strong foundation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral therapy (DBT) approach.

I offer a supportive, empathic, and non-judgmental approach in my sessions. I have experience working with children and teens of all different ages in my previous work as a school social worker, and community mental health worker in the Chicago area. I specialize in working with clients who live with ADHD, Anxiety, Body Image & Eating Disorders, Depression, Gender & Sexuality, School Issues (including IEPs & 504 Plans), and Stress & Trauma. I take a trauma-informed, holistic, and client-centered approach to therapy. I recognize every client is unique and requires an individualized approach to treatment. I am informed in a number of different frameworks including, cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic person-centered, play, and mindfulness-based approaches. I also operate from a Health at Every Size framework and am currently working on my Intuitive Eating Counselor certification. My main goal for every person I work with is to help them understand themselves better, and treat themselves with compassion.

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.

I have experience in a variety of therapeutic settings, working with adolescents, adults and couples. My post-graduate clinical experience includes working at employee assistance programs and in private practice where I guided clients through a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, grief, life transition and parenting and relationship challenges. I believe in working collaboratively with my clients to explore solutions, foster growth and heal past wounds. By identifying patterns that keep us stuck, we will work together to find healthier ways to move forward to create meaningful change. I use a solution-focused, resiliency-building therapeutic approach to create meaningful change in the lives of my clients. The foundations of my approach include empathy, honesty, mindfulness, cognitive behavioral training, identifying patterns and self care. I provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for my clients to explore solutions, foster growth and heal past wounds. I also believe in the power of education in helping prevent and treat mental health conditions.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker committed to listening, problem solving, and empowering adolescents, teens, and adults to work through both short and long term struggles. I have over twenty years of experience, the majority of which has been working in schools as a school social worker. I believe that my biggest strengths are forming connections and building trust with my clients. My work in the schools has given me extensive experience with adolescents, teens, and parents on prevalent issues such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, low self-esteem, emotion management, social communication, and executive functioning. I also have a wealth of knowledge on IEP’s (individualized education plan) and can be an additional support to parents and their children going through the process and understanding their rights. I use a strength based approach with my clients, in addition to a variety of therapeutic techniques. I will also use my personal and professional experience to help parents navigate the challenges that arise during the various stages of parenting.

I am currently in school working towards a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Main Street Counseling is where I am currently completing my internship for my program. I have experience in working with children and adolescents who experience various behaviorally needs and mental disorders. I am currently working at Lurie Children’s Hospital on the inpatient psychiatry unit providing care to children and adolescents. I currently hold the role as a milieu therapist and am a part of the behavioral response team. I also am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. All individuals I work with are treated with respect and authenticity to form a genuine, trusting relationship with my clients. My approach focuses on helping clients achieve their goals, learn beneficial ways to cope, and to feel understood. I understand that each client has specific needs so within my therapy approach I utilize concepts from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. I am dedicated to listening to my clients concerns and needs well providing an empathetic and non-judgmental space. I believe that providing a safe and trusting environment allowing my clients and I to build a therapeutic relationship is essential. I am passionate about helping my clients internally grow and navigate together difficult thoughts, experiences, and emotions.