Willoughby Center- Crystal Lake

More infor coming soon

I am an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Illinois and earned my Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Capella University. I have worked in a Community Mental Health setting for the past few years and gained invaluable experience working with a wide range of presenting problems and relationship dynamics.   

I use a collaborative, strength-based approach to help support individuals, families, and couples in creating positive change in their relationships and their lives. I strive to create a warm, accepting environment to allow for healing and growth to occur. Growth can take many forms in one's life: improved relationships and sense of well-being, enhanced sense of self, and a reduction of painful or unwanted symptoms; my intention is to help you navigate this in order to enhance self-awareness and healing both in your individual life and relationships. It is my philosophy that we are often hurt in relationships and heal in relationships.   

I am a trauma-informed therapist and trained in the use of EMDR Therapy. I have experience working with adults and adolescents who identify within the LGBTQIAA community and strive to provide a therapeutic, non-judgemental, safe atmosphere. I specialize in working with individuals, couples, and families on relationship dynamics, foster care and adoption issues, depression, anxiety, mood and personality disorders, as well as PTSD and trauma. I utilize Systems Theories in my work and am a Level 1 trained Gottman Method couples therapist. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and EMDR, keeping in mind my individual client’s needs and presenting issues in order to tailor treatment to the individual, couple, or family.   

I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who’s worked in the field for more than thirty years.  I started my career as a crisis counselor, who also began a group for women in abusive relationships.  After having moved to Illinois from my native Ohio, I worked in a variety of settings, providing case management, running groups, and doing ongoing therapy. 

 Although I see a great deal of value in both crisis intervention and case management, my heart has always been in doing ongoing therapy.  When a client and I are ‘in flow’—practicing skills, engaging in techniques, and seeing greater and greater possibilities—well, it’s an altogether joyful enterprise.

The basis of my practice is skillful listening and empathy so that clients feel safe as well as seen and heard in my presence.  I also teach the skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy(DBT)and concepts from Acceptance Commitment Therapy(ACT)which assist clients to manage their emotions more effectively and develop a different perspective on their lives.

In addition, I’m certified in EMDR, a well-known therapy for trauma.  As well as resolving

trauma, I’ve often found that EMDR is a powerful tool to help shift distorted negative self beliefs.  I’m always striving to learn new things that I can pass on to my clients.  My goal is to help you move on from feeling stuck and enjoy living a life that includes fulfilling activities/work and satisfying relationships.