Times of crisis are also opportunities for change.

Right now, something inside you – some feeling, some concern – is acting like a wake up call. Paying attention to this feeling and searching for options to understand it and to change are healthy, positive responses to care for yourself and others around you.

Whether you are feeling depressed, stressed or anxious, or caught up in an unresolved complicated dilemma, psychotherapy can help.

Acknowledging a problem and pursuing help, although humbling and often scary, is an important first step. I encourage you to search for a therapist with whom you feel comfortable, that you can trust, and that you feel has the expertise to help you. Remember that you are the expert on you. Be patient and selective in finding the right match for you. Based on establishing a good therapist-client match, you then start a process of honest exploration, self-understanding, and a deepening self-confidence. In this context, you and your therapist together analyze and understand the dynamics impacting you, allowing you choices and personal empowerment.

I use an individualized strength-based, nurturing approach in therapy. I believe we all have strengths and successes, and that each of us holds within us the answers and resources we seek. I am analytical and listen carefully for the unconscious reasons that my client is struggling in a certain area. I borrow from many different theory bases in psychology, aiming to understand and meet the individual needs of each client. Understanding gives us choices. An ongoing supportive therapeutic relationship strengthens our resolve and nurtures our patience and courage.

I believe that though we cannot always control what happens in life, we have power within us to heal, to persevere, to grow, and to feel more content and in control.

I invite you to give me a call for a confidential, free consultation to discuss your concerns and to get a beginning sense of what I offer as a therapist.

Within each person there are infinite possibilities for change.

Each of us has the potential to change our health, our behavior patterns, the way we think about challenges, how we respond in relationships, and how we care for our inner selves.

Hypnosis is a complement to the regular therapeutic process. Hypnosis utilizes relaxation, focus, imagery, belief and our resolve to change.

Sometimes people hold a mistaken conception of hypnosis as "a robot–like state" and fear "a loss of control" or being put "under a spell". Instead, hypnosis is experienced pleasurably as people learn how to relax, simplify their focus, feel more control and are able to tap inner resources.

For those unfamiliar with hypnosis, The American Society for Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH), describes it in this way:

Hypnosis is a state of inner absorption, concentration and focused attention. It is like using a magnifying glass to focus the rays of the sun and make them more powerful. Similarly, when our minds are concentrated and focused, we are able to use our minds more powerfully. Because hypnosis allows people to use more of their potential, learning self-hypnosis is the ultimate act of self-control. (http://asch.net/genpubinfo.htm)

Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, should always be based in a trusting, therapeutic relationship with a professional trained in either health or mental health and hypnosis. After a comprehensive assessment, hypnosis is used in conjunction with other health-based strategies to help an individual achieve meaningful change.

 My Experience

  I have been in the social service field for over 20 years, and a psychotherapist for the past 14 years. I earned my Master´s in Social Work in 1993, graduating cum laude from the University of Illinois. I am licensed in the State of Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, which qualifies me to practice independently and to be recognized and reimbursed by insurance companies. I am affiliated with a number of professional groups including the National Association of Social Workers, the Chicago Society for Clinical Hypnosis, and the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.

I have been fortunate in my professional life, as I have followed my passions and interests. Before becoming a psychotherapist, I advanced through a series of positions at a therapeutic school for emotionally and developmentally delayed children. I learned about attunement, development, family systems and the inherent possibilities for change and growth no matter what.

As a therapist, I have also worked as part of a community mental health agency. This was invaluable experience in diversity, in understanding a wide range of mental health concerns and to develop myself as a therapist able to work with adults, children and adolescents in many therapy modalities.

I have been in private practice over 9 years. For the last 3½ years, I have added hypnosis/hypnotherapy as an important and creative adjunct in therapy to support my client´s journey in change.

 My Therapeutic Style

  I use an individualized strength based, nurturing approach in therapy. I believe we all have strengths and successes, and that we hold within us the answers and resources we seek. I am analytical and listen carefully for the unconscious reasons that my client is struggling in a certain area. I borrow from many different theory bases in psychology, aiming to understand and meet the individual needs of each client. I seek to understand each individual´s roots for a problem: childhood injuries or fears left over from the past? A learned behavior? A distorted way of thinking? A lack of coping skills? A difficult ongoing situation? Understanding gives us choices. An ongoing supportive therapeutic relationship strengthens our resolve and nurtures our patience and courage.

I believe that though we cannot always control what happens in life, we have power within us to heal, to persevere, to grow, and to feel more content and in control.

The tree. A metaphor for growth.

You are stronger than you realize. Like a magnificent tree, born from a tiny seed, you are moving from a state of unconscious possibility to unfolding greatness.

Like roots that anchor deep, no matter what the soil, you have undeniable strengths to survive and succeed.

The tree´s trunk, beautifully weathered by it´s past, provides solid yet flexible stability no matter the season or the storm.

The more a tree is nurtured, the easier it will grow and the more profuse it will blossom.

And the tree´s branches reach out towards the sun and to touch the stars. Tender buds open confidently in full expression to simply become what it was meant to be….

 About Payments

  Payments are due at the time services are rendered. For convenience, I accept cash, personal checks and credit cards.

If you are a current client and wish to make a payment using your credit card or a Paypal account, please click the link provided for your secure payment.

 About Insurance

  Insurance often includes benefits for outpatient mental health treatment. There are many variations in level of coverage between different employer groups, policies, and insurance companies. If you wish to use your insurance, please research your benefits, including these questions: Am I in network or out of network for your plan? What is your deductible, co-insurance rate or co-payment? How many sessions are you allowed in a year? If you are interested in couple or family therapy, are those services included? Are there any restrictions in terms of diagnoses covered?

Please be aware that in order to use your benefits, I will need to provide a diagnosis to your insurance company. This diagnosis and treatment becomes part of your health insurance record.

If I am in network for your insurance company, we will discuss your co-payment amount and billing. If I am out of network, it is customary for you to pay for services at the time of your appointment. I will provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

I am an in-network provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois PPO products and Aetna.

 About Private Pay

  You may choose to pay privately for your therapy services. Many people choose this option as a way to secure their privacy and for increased independence in choices.

My rates are as follows:

For private pay clients, I do offer a sliding fee schedule with consideration of income. Please contact me to discuss this possibility.