Photo by T Sit, teresajsit.com
Philosophy
As a therapist, I specialize in working with adults seeking change. My approach to counseling is client-centered and trauma-informed, encouraging playful expression of personal narrative to build self-understanding and community. I support clients in the use of artmaking as a grounding tool to process experiences and relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. I intend to establish a collaborative space alongside clients that fosters bravery, where we can collect helpful coping tools as we work toward clients' goals together. To me, "healing" lies in seeking peace and a sense of wholeness, and not in achieving "perfection."
While I will always take your journey seriously, I value playfulness and humor and often incorporate this into therapy sessions. Together, we will focus on building self-awareness and compassion at your own pace through developing hobbies, connecting with the community, and defining what "healing" looks like to you. We will collect tools to aid you on your path. Making art, journaling, listening to music, connecting with animals and nature, mindful movement, and grounding exercises are some activities we might try along the way.
I understand how intimidating it can be to start therapy for the first time or to find a new therapist after wrapping up with someone else. I take pride in my ability to put others at ease as we build our relationship with patience and compassion. Please don't hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation and find out if we are a good therapeutic match.
Education
Master of Arts in Art Therapy, 2017, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, 2002, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Licensure
LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, State of Illinois #180.014820
ATR - Registered Art Therapist #21-36
As a therapist, I specialize in working with adults seeking change. My approach to counseling is client-centered and trauma-informed, encouraging playful expression of personal narrative to build self-understanding and community. I support clients in the use of artmaking as a grounding tool to process experiences and relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. I intend to establish a collaborative space alongside clients that fosters bravery, where we can collect helpful coping tools as we work toward clients' goals together. To me, "healing" lies in seeking peace and a sense of wholeness, and not in achieving "perfection."
While I will always take your journey seriously, I value playfulness and humor and often incorporate this into therapy sessions. Together, we will focus on building self-awareness and compassion at your own pace through developing hobbies, connecting with the community, and defining what "healing" looks like to you. We will collect tools to aid you on your path. Making art, journaling, listening to music, connecting with animals and nature, mindful movement, and grounding exercises are some activities we might try along the way.
I understand how intimidating it can be to start therapy for the first time or to find a new therapist after wrapping up with someone else. I take pride in my ability to put others at ease as we build our relationship with patience and compassion. Please don't hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation and find out if we are a good therapeutic match.
Education
Master of Arts in Art Therapy, 2017, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, 2002, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Licensure
LCPC - Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, State of Illinois #180.014820
ATR - Registered Art Therapist #21-36
Approaches
Attachment Based
Client-centered
Existentialist Theory
Expressive Arts
Family Systems
Feminist Theory
Humanistic Theory
LGBTQIA2s+ Affirming
Relational Cultural Theory
Spiritual/Religious
Trauma-informed
Experience
My specialties include supporting individuals with a history of PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and/or living with chronic illness. I enjoy supporting my clients through spiritual exploration and developing a healthy relationship with art. My approach is sex-positive and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming. I have previous experience working in hospital settings, where I focused on trauma recovery and end-of-life care. I spent 4.5 years at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, counseling emerging artists through their education. I love working with artists, Veterans, and existential explorers.
My pronouns are she/her/hers and I identify as biracial, of Chinese and White heritage. Raised in Chicago’s south suburbs, I feel deeply connected to the neighborhoods, cultures, and people that make this community what it is today.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
2302 W North Ave. #1E Chicago, IL 60647
(312)869-4492
[email protected]
In the smallest of steps taken toward counteracting indigenous invisibility, we acknowledge that our office sits on land stolen from the people of the Council of the Three Fires: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, as well as the Miami, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac, and Fox.
This land does not belong to us.