Hello

I was born and raised in the Western suburbs of Chicago and have lived in the Aurora/Naperville area since. I attended DePaul University in Chicago where I completed my Bachelors Degree in Developmental Psychology. Later, I went on to achieve my Masters in Clinical Psychology at Benedictine University. I have worked in a variety of clinical settings including Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital and private practice.

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Throughout my years of experience in the field I have learned that most of our current problems actually stem from our past experiences. I practice with the belief that almost all mental health problems that masquerade as anxiety, depression, ADHD etc, are rooted in trauma. This is what led me to find passion in the area of trauma work. As a result, I have become a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, have become EMDR trained, and regularly attend trainings and workshops to continue to ensure a high quality of care to individuals dealing with trauma or other related issues.

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Within the realm of trauma, I am specifically interested in working with adults who may meet a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, Dissociative Disorders (Theory of Structural Dissociation), Attachment Issues, and other Complex PTSD. I additionally work with individuals who struggle with boundaries, toxic or abusive relationships, or who are having difficulty emotionally regulating. Although diagnoses are important for some reasons, I do not focus on labels. Instead, I focus on the person, their problems, and their goals. By practicing this way, it eliminates stigmas surrounding certain diagnoses.

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Prior to my career as a therapist I spent many years working in fitness as both a personal and group fitness trainer. Having this foundational skill set helped me to better understand the body and the importance of the mind-body connection. I discovered that our mental health impacts our physical health and vice versa. I strongly believe in the mind-body connection and believe that successful therapy is holistic and incorporates physiological, cognitive, and neurological healing. I believe that food is medicine, sleep is restorative, and movement of the body is both healing and preventative. I also believe that most issues both psychological and physical can be addressed and resolved with non-pharmacological interventions such as therapy, adjusting diet, supplementation, adequate sleep and regular exercise. 

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When I am not working as a therapist you can find me working on a home-improvement project, outdoors with my dog Ozzy, trying out a new recipe, or spending time with my husband. I really enjoy being physically active and try to find ways to do that daily whether it's hitting the gym, taking a pilates class, or taking my dog on long walks. I absolutely love my job, but if I wasn't a therapist I think it would be fun to be a chef or a meteorologist.

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I am currently licensed to practice in Illinois, Florida (Telehealth), and South Carolina (Telehealth).

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Illinois License # 180013523

Florida Telehealth Provider #TPMC2753 Florida Department of Health Telehealth Registry

South Carolina Telehealth Provider #697 SC Telehealth Provider Webpage