Practice Information: Astute Counseling & Wellness Services Located in Lakeview, Chicago At Astute Counseling & Wellness Services, we are a comprehensive mental health and wellness practice offering integrative care to support the whole person—mind and body. Our team includes over 20 experienced and compassionate therapists, allowing patients to find the right fit for their unique needs, goals, and preferences. We provide evidence-based therapy and support for a wide range of mental healt...
Dr. Michelle Okolita completed her Doctorate in clinical psychology at Illinois School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University. She completed her internship at South Campus Therapeutic Day School in Palatine, IL. She has extensive training providing evidence-based therapy and conducting psychological evaluations with children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Okolita’s clinical interests include depression, anxiety, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, identity, relationships, an...
Welcome! I believe that the true benefits of therapy come from the safety and empathy of the therapeutic relationship, allowing individuals to tap into their own strengths and resilience. As such, my approach is grounded in authenticity, collaboration, and shared joy. Together, we can navigate challenging thoughts, emotions, and situations. I have experience supporting clients with anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, autism, self-esteem, and life transitions. As a neurodiversity-affirming therapis...
Veronica Pena is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. There are joys of being a parent and there are also the difficult, confusing, frustrating, and exhausting moments where you might feel like you don't know what to do to help your child. Kids struggling with behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem sometimes need an extra hand to help them navigate the difficulties in life. Veronica understands both childhood development and the complexities of parental struggles, a...
My approach to therapy is based in collaboration and empowerment with the goal of helping you better understand yourself and creating lasting change in your life. I believe that each individual and their needs are unique, and therapy should reflect that. I aim to create a therapeutic space that is safe and non-judgmental to allow you to explore the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My role is to support you in making choices that align with your values and becoming conf...
You might be feeling distress, restlessness, or unease. You might be wondering what’s driving your interactions with others, questioning where certain emotions or motivations stem from. You might be feeling a lack of purpose, anxiety, a pressure to perform, or that you are not living your life as authentically as you once did. You may have even had a moment of, “Well, how did I get here?” If this is you, I may be able to help. I have experience working with people struggling with anxiety, d...
Emily Wheeler is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Social Worker (LSW) at LifeStance Health, serving clients across Illinois. Emily specializes in helping individuals navigate life's challenges with a person-centered approach, ensuring that therapy is tailored to each client's unique needs and goals. With a focus on evidence-based practices, Emily creates a supportive and nonjudgmental space where individuals can explore their thoughts and emotions while building strategies to improve their...
I provide a warm, affirming space for LGBTQIA+ students to show up fully and feel supported with compassion and acceptance. My approach is trauma-informed and client-centered, often integrating art, music, writing, mindfulness, and body-based practices. As a gender-nonconforming, queer therapist, I value authenticity and understand the complexities of identity and self-image. I support students navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and life transitions while fostering growth and connect...
Wherever you are in life, whatever the challenges you’re facing, we are so glad you are here. We are a counseling practice that offers individual, group, and family therapy. We see clients across the lifespan and have a diverse group of therapists who specialize in the areas included above. We recognize the courage that it takes to take a first step to start therapy. We utilize a compassionate approach to therapy that focuses on increasing self-awareness, coping skills, and personal growth....
Karla Rivera is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. She has an M. A. in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University. Karla is committed to helping individuals navigate life?s challenges and achieve their fullest potential. She has a warm and empathetic approach and creates a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their self holistically. Karla helps clients develop effective coping strategies, build resilience, and enhance their overall well-being. She tailors thera...
My resulting approach to therapy is to offer a listening ear and a warm presence as you navigate through the messiness of life, while also bringing a helpful perspective to help you become who you want to be. My grounded person-centered base is enriched and complemented by the latest evidence-based practices and insight-based approaches (a tailored integrative approach drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems...
I use CBT, ACT, DBT, and Relational Cultural Theory to support LGBTQIA+ students with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, and identity concerns. My style is warm and collaborative, helping you build coping skills and discover new perspectives. I create a safe space for growth, healing, and rewriting your story with strength. I believe we're all narrators of our own lives, even when challenges make us feel stuck in difficult chapters. My pronouns are he/him....
John is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate the transformative process of change with compassion, clarity, and resilience. With a focus on complex trauma, anxiety, relationship negotiation, social and family role dynamics, and co-occurring disorders, John believes that meaningful change begins with deeper self-understanding and authentic connection. John works from a cognitive-integrative perspective, drawing from object relations and self-psychology to explore how early relationa...
Welcome! Taking the step towards therapy can feel daunting, but I'm here to make it as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Whether we're meeting online or face-to-face, my aim is to create an environment where you can truly be yourself. Therapy shouldn't feel like a formal interrogation. I strive to bring warmth and ease into our sessions, fostering a conversational atmosphere where you don't have to watch your words. Being authentic is key to our work together, and I encourage clients to exp...
My practice is guided by curiosity and nonjudgment. Therapy is a place to let go of shame, where all topics can be brought to the table. My goal is to provide a safe space where we can question, cry, laugh, and feel it all together. My style is deeply empathetic and introspective with a sense of playfulness and lightheartedness. I practice from an emotions-focused, attachment, and psychodynamic lens. My approach also includes existential, narrative, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction frameworks...
Olivia Palumbo is a Clinical Intern at Ace Counseling Group who provides trauma-informed, body-based therapy using cognitive behavioral therapy, Internal Family Systems, and the Gottman Method. She works with adults and couples experiencing life transitions, identity exploration, relationship concerns, or disordered eating and offers LGBTQIA+ affirming, nature-based and mindfulness-informed care. Olivia draws on experience in inpatient psychiatric settings and is completing her clinical training...
Dr. Sarah Sanders is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and life transition issues. Dr. Sanders individualizes her treatment approach to the specific needs of each client, often combining dynamic-relational, cognitive-dialectical-behavioral, and systemic-cultural approaches. Her priority is helping you work through your concerns and make changes in your life in a way that feels effective, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. Dr. Sanders comple...
Jill Jensen, LCSW, provides a compassionate and empathetic space for individuals and families across Illinois. With a focus on understanding and honoring each client?s unique experiences, Jill helps create an environment where clients feel safe, heard, and empowered to take steps toward their mental health goals. Serving children, teens, young adults, and adults, Jill supports clients facing various challenges, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, and childhood behavior issues. Jill is especial...
There are so many reasons to engage in art therapy and counseling services. You may feel highly rewarded yet emotionally exhausted from your work. You may find that living with your emotions while protecting those around you leaves you feeling disconnected and isolated. You may be a student and completely overwhelmed by the demands of the virtual classroom, social distancing, work and finances. You may have a traumatic history that continues to dictate how you engage with others. You know y...
Very few things in life stay the same; just as each season begins and inevitably ends, so too do the seasons of life. Whether you are in a season of change, a season of rebuilding, season of healing or a season of growth, NCC is dedicated to providing mental health support and care for whatever season you are in....