Yes! I have successfully worked with all genders in my practice. I have chosen to specialize in helping women and know the most about helping this population, but people are people, and my skills are transferable to your gender, too. If you feel called to reach out to me, please do so.

Prepare yourself for a long answer! In the midwest (and in the United States in general), many therapists use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and talk therapy as their main methods. This is because CBT is easy to study, and is therefore backed by a lot of research. It is preferred by insurance companies and in hospital settings because it is straightforward and aligns well with the allopathic (science-based, modern) medical model. The allopathic medical model is good at parsing things apart and matching specific treatments to specific symptoms. I believe that, at times, CBT and talk therapy are very helpful. In fact, I frequently recommend psychoeducational books to clients. For most of my clients, though, these methods skim the surface or merely provide temporary symptom relief unless the root of the issue is also addressed. In my personal experience, many symptoms my clients experience have deep roots, are interconnected with other issues, and often need healing at the root in order to truly transform. Also, many problems my clients experience are not only emotional or mental, but also spiritual and physical. Therefore, my work is largely holistic in nature. The word "holistic" is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole." As such, I am a transpersonal, holistic, and alternative therapist. This means I see you as a "whole person," taking your body, mind, emotions, and spirit into account to help you heal. I enjoy working along the whole spectrum from your deepest pain and trauma to your highest potential and innate wisdom. I like to help you plumb the depths to reach newer heights. I do not merely want to relieve your symptoms, I want to help you thrive, experience optimal wellness, and feel empowered and self-sufficient by the time you are finished working with me. To do this, I incorporate spiritual (whatever that means for you) counseling, somatic (body-based) therapy, experiential therapy, trauma work, and talk-based work for an integrative, whole-person approach. I am informed by both evidence-based western treatment models and holistic, eastern, and earth-based psychology. Integrating these things together into a cohesive whole is my passion. I love being a transpersonal therapist, and I use methods that are a bit uncommon in the midwest. I make it a priority to stay up-to-date on the developments in my field and to receive training that most aligns with who I am and what I feel called to offer, and also, what I see that the world needs. I have gone abroad for training in yoga (in India), mindfulness (in Thailand), TRE (in Thailand), and Internal Family Systems (in Spain), and have taken my Applied Shamanic Counseling and Depth Hypnosis classes through a school in California. My Psychedelic Therapy training is through an institute in Colorado.

Psychiatrists are medically trained doctors who specialize in prescribing medication for mental health illnesses. Most psychiatrists do not practice “talk therapy,” but rather prescribe and monitor your response to medication. They tend to meet with their clients briefly and infrequently. I am a therapist, also known as a psychotherapist or counselor. A therapist has a graduate degree or higher. A therapist develops a therapeutic relationship with clients and typically meet with clients once every week or two for about an hour. Therapists take time to deeply understand clients and their struggles because they primarily help clients make improvements through talk, somatic, or experiential-based therapy focusing on emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Therapists do not prescribe medication, but may sometimes refer clients to psychiatrists for a medication evaluation. CREDENTIALS I hold a LPC license in Missouri, which means “Licensed Professional Counselor.” I also hold an LCPC license in Illinois, which means "Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor." This means that I have completed a 2-3 year graduate degree in counseling, taken 3 comprehensive exams, completed 3,000 hours of clinical work under supervision, and gone through the requirements to obtain state licensure. In both IL and MO, I am licensed to practice independently. I have been practicing as a therapist since early 2018. I have also taken advanced training in Internal Family Systems (levels 1-3) and Trauma/Tension Releasing Exercises, and am an IFS Therapist and TRE Provider. I also hold a certificate in Depth Hypnosis and am a Certified Applied Shamanic Practitioner. You can verify my IFS credentials here (just search for my name!) https://ifs-institute.com/practitioners

Yes! This is because I cannot possibly specialize in every area. Just like doctors, therapists specialize, too! For example, if you're having heart problems, you'd probably rather see a cardiac specialist than a dermatologist, right? The following list details symptoms that are best treated by other providers, either because I do not have specialized training in these areas, or because they require a higher level of care than my private practice can provide. This list is not exhaustive. 1. Active addiction (especially to a substance) 2. Active eating disorders (especially those that are putting your health at risk) 3. Current domestic violence situations or current abuse 4. Personality disorders (such as BPD, HPD, and NPD) 5. Autism spectrum disorders 6. Schizophrenia 7. Clients in active crisis of any kind, such as suicidal intent, volatile relationships, or abuse If you know or believe you are struggling with one of these issues, there are plenty of providers who specialize in the area you need help with. I recommend going on a therapist directory like Psychology Today, Therapy Den, Zencare, or Good Therapy and filtering for people who work with your specific issue. Or, ask your doctor for a referral if you think you might need a higher level of care. Thanks for reading!

Most of my clients are in their 20s and 30s. If you are over this age bracelet and my website calls to you, please feel free to reach out. I love working with people outside this age bracket, too. I do not currently see anyone under the age of 20. Working with children and teens is not a clinical specialization of mine, and I would rather your child/teen get the specialized help they need from a provider with extensive training and expertise in working with this age bracket.

Most of my clients start off seeing me once per week. Many people who have been meeting with me for a while will see me less frequently once they start feeling better. I recommend committing to the process for at least 2-3 months before expecting changes. Meeting with me a couple of times will not be enough to do the deep work needed to help you make major shifts in your life. There are no quick fixes. Some of my clients see me short-term for about 3-6 months, while other prefer to do deeper work with me as their ongoing therapist for a year or several years. Please remember that whatever issues you're currently experiencing were developed over a lifetime. It takes time and intention to unwind these patterns, and the journey is well worth it. Therefore, the length of therapy depends on your individual goals as well as the depth and complexity of the issues you're bringing. I aim to help you make as much progress as I can in the time you spend with me, but there are not short-cuts and we cannot rush healing. I find that those who get the most benefit out of therapy, and the most symptom relief, are committed to the path of self-inquiry and healing, wherever it leads, and without a specific timeline. Please discuss your expectations with me in our first session!