Populations Served

Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Survivors

Domestic violence and sexual assault are significant public health crises across the world.  Many reports estimate that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.  We know, however, that abuse often extends beyond physical threat or injury. Emotional manipulation, coercion, economic abuse, and other forms of control often plague violent, toxic, and abusive relationships.

Many survivors of intimate partner violence, including domestic violence and sexual assault, are discouraged from accessing mental health care due to worries of stigma and judgment, and fears of working with a provider who won’t “get it.” I’ve worked with survivors in a variety of settings in all phases of their relationships and healing, including individuals who remain in their relationships.  I am committed to providing a safe space for survivors to explore themselves, including their wants and needs, free of judgment.  Safety, of course, is a priority, and together we can strategize on ways to achieve that; however, I trust that each survivor is their own expert, and is the only one who truly knows what is best for their situation.

I proudly partner with Greenlight Counseling to support survivors who experienced sexual assault while enrolled in higher education. Greenlight assists survivors in accessing mental health care by connecting them with therapists in their network and absorbing the cost of the survivor’s care. Please note this is limited to individuals in Illinois enrolled in higher education, including college and graduate studies.

Childhood Trauma Survivors

One of the hardest things to do is open a box you have spent years keeping shut.  The decision to address childhood trauma in therapy can be a daunting one, especially when it is difficult to imagine what, exactly, “healing” can look like.

Opening the box and facing the past is something we can do together and at your own pace.  I am trained in eye movement therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).  Both modalities are research-based and have been shown to provide trauma survivors with significant symptom relief and are solid alternatives to traditional talk therapy.  Many clients opt for a combination of both, creating a therapeutic space where they can talk, vent, process, and make meaning from their past experiences while also tapping into the various ways the brain can heal from old wounds.

Justice-Involved Individuals

I’ve spent most of my career working with individuals at various stages of involvement in the criminal justice system.  As a result, I am especially committed to making mental health services accessible to the justice-involved and formerly incarcerated members of our community.

Unsurprisingly, incarceration has been shown to have an adverse impact on an individual’s mental health, which can negatively interfere with his or her ability to successful re-enter the community.  Research shows that many individuals enter the jail or prison system with existing mental health concerns that are exacerbated throughout their stay.  Incarceration can also lead to mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, sensory problems, and relationship stress.

The system does little to help individuals properly take care of their mental health and when they are released, they often face barriers to accessing quality mental health support and services.

Compassion Fatigue

Many people across a variety of professions experience burnout. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the boundaries between work and home became very blurry, the concept of work-related stress and burnout became more prevalent. Work and employment takes up a significant portion of our lives, as well as our energy: you deserve to feel happy and satisfied in your profession.

Mental health workers face additional challenges when it comes to work stress and burnout. Across several studies, the rates of burnout for mental health professionals have ranged anywhere between 21% - 67%.[1]  Burnout is often linked to elevated risks of experiencing depression, anxiety, negative view of self, relationship stress, substance use, and impacted work performance, as well as physiological conditions, such as circulatory, respiratory, and musculoskeletal issues. Poor working conditions, high caseloads, poor employer support, and repeated exposure to others’ trauma and stress can certainly contribute to these high rates. Consistently showing empathy, care, and concern for others is a critical and valued part of these jobs, and it is also mentally and emotionally taxing. For similar reasons, professions such as teachers and first-responders also struggle with high rates of burnout and the related mental health risks.

In 2022, 20 lawyers were disciplined by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) due to impairments related to mental illness and substance use.[2]  The majority of these struggled with depression and alcoholism, or a combination of both, and more often came from solo practice settings.  The total number of disciplined attorneys is, albeit, small, but as the ARDC notes, 1 in every 3 lawyers disciplined each year in Illinois have been identified as having a substance use or mental impairment condition.[3]

These numbers highlight the severe ramifications of untreated, unaddressed difficulties that countless lawyers face.  While only 20 lawyers faced discipline for these issues, countless more continue to suffer and struggle every day.  Research shows that members of the legal community exhibit higher rates of substance use disorder, suicide, and other mental health issues.

Based on anecdotes and personal experiences, I wasn’t confident that the culture of these professional fields was changing in a way that was conducive and supportive of factors that contribute to mental health and wellness.  Surrounded by brilliant, hardworking professionals and mentors, I found myself often discretely providing referrals to therapists and other providers and attempting to normalize the process of dedicating time throughout the week to seek help and find comfort.

Now, I hope to be that support to those working tirelessly in their fields.

Barriers to Accessing Treatment

Everyone deserves a chance a chance to heal.  Unfortunately, many people face barriers when attempting to access mental health care.  I am committed to minimizing common barriers to access by:

  • Continuing to become an in-network provider with multiple insurance companies, including Medicaid and Medicare.*

  • Offering reduce, low-cost, and pro-bono services to those who qualify.

  • Partnering with community organizations to ease individuals’ ability to find a provider, schedule an intake, and coordinate care.

*I am currently in the process of becoming a Medicaid and Medicare-approved provider.

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