Joey
PhD/LCPC/Owner
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with experience working with individuals ages 11-75. My philosophy is that everyone has their own story to tell, and I enjoy and pride myself on being able to relate to individuals from all walks of life. I strive to guide everyone towards the meaning and context in the journey and story of their life by helping clients to uncover additional context and different perspectives. I’m a firm believer in the idea that our perception is our reality, and I enjoy helping individuals from all walks of life to modify their perceptions to work toward a better reality.
I received my Bachelor’s from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2007, and my Master’s in Counseling in 2010, with a focus on Community Counseling. I earned my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2022. My experience ranges from working with children and adolescents in residential treatment, helping traditional and non-traditional college students adjust to the demands of an academic program (family pressure, career path, etc.). In addition, I’ve worked providing individual and group therapy in Chicago forensic settings. I am very fortunate to have these experiences and am excited to I continue to grow in the field.
In my free time, you'll catch me always looking for new restaurants, exercising, traveling, and trying to expand my vinyl collection!
Richard
EdD
As a proud member of the counseling profession, I am passionate about my mission to help others gain the insight and clarity they seek to overcome the inevitable challenges that life offers. I have been fortunate to have the privilege of providing support and services to a wide range of individuals which includes children, adolescents, adults, and families. I enjoy providing a range of therapeutic services including individual, group, and family therapy. My professional experiences have afforded me the opportunity to work in conjunction with social service agencies and both public and private academic institutions within the Chicago land area.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Kenyon College in beautiful Gambier Ohio. Subsequently, I spent 2 years in law school until life’s challenges forced me to make some difficult choices about the direction of my professional future. I chose the field of counseling and earned my Masters in Community Counseling from Argosy University in Chicago. Finally, I returned to the classroom to earn my Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Argosy University in Chicago. For my own self-care, I enjoy weight training, playing basketball, relaxing with my 3 dogs, and spending quality time with family.
My personal brand of therapy is client-centered in nature with an emphasis on facilitating the client’s self-awareness in order to resolve challenges and overcome blocks to personal growth. The quality of the client and counselor relationship is prioritized. As a counselor, I strive to be genuine and authentic while displaying unconditional positive regard and acceptance for the client. In short, the primary goals for the relationship are to facilitate client awareness in order to clarify the desire for change and the actionable steps for change to occur.
Ashleigh
LCSW
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals, couples, and families through life's most challenging and most transformative moments. My experience spans adolescents, adults, older adults, veterans, and caregivers. In addition, I have worked in various settings, including hospitals, residential settings, and community centers.
I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Community Health and Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I have also served at respected institutions, including Rush University Medical Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, Metropolitan Family Services, and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Those settings provided extensive clinical and behavioral experience and the opportunity to work with a diverse client population.
My therapeutic style is collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Mindfulness, and Psychodynamic exploration. Together, we'll take a deeper look at the foundations of your life: your relationships, experiences, patterns, and beliefs to understand better what's shaping your emotional world.
I believe healing begins when we honor the past, understand the present, and create a vision for the future. Through thorough assessment and personalized treatment, my goal is to help you meet your needs and address your obstacles, so you can grow, heal, and step into the life you envision.
If you're ready to begin this journey, I'm here to walk along side you.
Ahlam
LPC, CADC, MLS
As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor, I strive to break the stigma around mental health, substance abuse and seeking mental health services. I strive to normalize mental illness and addiction as we have normalized physical health. On this mission, I have had the pleasure to provide therapeutic services to diverse populations, including adolescents, adults, and families, via individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. My professional experiences include doing my clinical internship at Presence Behavioral Health, being employed at Community Medical Services and Copa Health in Arizona, and Maryville Academy directly working with the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.
I had the pleasure to earn my bachelor's degree in Psychology at Benedictine University. My Masters in Counseling specializing in Forensic Psychology and a Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling from Adler University. In addition, I received a Master's degree in Legal Studies specializing in Criminal Law from Sandra Day O'Conner College of Law at Arizona State University. I enjoy reading self-development books, physical fitness, trying new things, and traveling in my free time.
I am a firm believer in the biopsychosocial model focuses on a holistic dimension rather than a singular dimension. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness Behavioral Therapy. Therapeutic processes will include psychoeducation, identifying triggers, identifying destructive behaviors, identifying coping skills, and implementing healthy behaviors to promote healing.
Samuel
LPC
I have always been fascinated with understanding how people think, how they have come to believe what they believe and how they have become who they are. I have also been told that I am a good listener and I have come to realize that many people simply want to feel heard, understood and cared for. This is part of the reason why I became a counselor, along with wanting to help people and destigmatize mental health.
I have clinical experience working with children and adolescents with issues of depression, suicidal/homicidal ideation, anxiety, trauma and conduct related problems. I have also worked with adults experiencing issues ranging from anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and psychosis. In addition to this, I have facilitated family therapy sessions and group therapy sessions including CBT, process and trauma groups. I primarily use modalities of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), Person-Centered (Rogerian) and Adlerian.
Aside from completing my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I also have Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science and Biblical Studies. I have worked as a Software Engineer for almost 5 years and have worked as a chaplain for 2 years. So, why an engineer turned counselor? Well, because I went into engineering because it was practical. I come from immigrant parents who came to America to enable their children to live a better life than they did, and to them, that meant getting a practical, stable job. But with time I realized that I didn't want my life to be just practical – I wanted it to also be purposeful. Other interests and hobbies of mine include video production, photography, music production, and creative writing/drawing.
Darrick
LPC, NCC, CMHC
I've been privileged to serve individuals and the community for over 10 years through case management, advocacy, and clinical mental health counseling. The opportunity to learn through education, professional development and supervision has provided me with a foundation of measurable, ethical and holistic frameworks to serve. My framework starts with my ability to provide therapeutic interventions such as Client-Centered Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy and more!
My Passion for being a therapist came from providing case management and understanding the need to be able to not only meet attainable goals with clients but also understand the meaning behind thoughts, actions and outcomes. I look forward to destigmatizing mental health and introducing holistic health through wellness consulting.
I believe that mental health education should include the knowledge of multiple interventions beyond talk therapy. My education did not stop at UW-Madison where I earned my BSW and Associates in Criminal Justice, nor at Roosevelt where I earned my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. My education is an ongoing process incorporating cultural competence, empathy and learning to listen to clients' needs.
During my free time, you can catch me engaging in my favorite self-care activities and unwinding with friends and family (fun fact: I have a twin sister). I also enjoy going to concerts and the beach whenever possible!
Daryl
MA
Whether you're seeking support as an individual, couple, or family, I'm here to accompany you on your counseling path. My journey has allowed me to serve a diverse range of individuals and families in various settings, from Chicago Public Schools to Community-Based Organizations and, finally, Corporate entities. I’ve provided individual, couples, group, and family counseling throughout Chicago. My therapeutic approach is eclectic, and I pull from interventions based on Client-Centered, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Choice Theory, and Mindfulness.
Additionally, I've had the opportunity to create and facilitate rites of passage programs designed for underserved, at-risk youth and adults. Facilitated Cognitive Behavioral Intervention groups and trauma response groups for gun violence prevention programs throughout Chicago’s communities. I have worked with you to create a safe and supportive space, with empathy and understanding and without judgment. I hold a Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University Chicago, complemented by a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising from Chicago State University.
Beyond my professional endeavors, I'm dedicated to the mission of demystifying therapy, particularly within black and brown communities. In my personal life, I actively engage in practices that promote holistic well-being, including my journey toward becoming a certified yoga instructor and my commitment to regular meditation. I enjoy traveling and spending quality time with my wife and our large-breed dogs.
I'm here to accompany you on your counseling journey, to listen, to understand, and to provide the compassionate guidance you deserve!
Crystal
LPC
My path to becoming a therapist is deeply personal. Growing up in a culture where struggles were often kept private, I learned early on how easy it is to feel like you have to handle everything on your own. It wasn't until I experienced therapy myself that I discovered the power of having a safe space to feel understood. That experience changed my life, and it inspired me to become a therapist so others wouldn't have to feel lost or alone in their challenges.
You might be reading this because you are exhausted from trying to manage everything yourself. I am here to support you if you are navigating: Overwhelming anxiety or heavy daily stress, the lingering weight of past trauma, a difficult life transition or adjustment, or feelings of depression that make it hard to get through the day.
Reaching out for help, especially when you are used to carrying the burden, takes incredible courage. I want you to know that simply showing up for yourself today is a huge step, and it is something to be proud of!
In our sessions, you will find a warm, supportive, and judgment-free space. We will always move at the pace that feels safe for you. Because I know you are looking for real relief, my approach is highly focused on practical solutions: We will work together to gently untangle the thoughts and habits that are keeping you feeling stuck. We will build a personalized toolkit of everyday coping strategies so you don't feel overwhelmed when things get hard. My ultimate goal is to help you walk away feeling more confident, balanced, and in control of your own story.
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I blend my clinical training with genuine empathy. My educational background, which includes a Master's in Community Counseling and studies in Women's Studies and Criminal Justice at UW-Madison, gives me a deep appreciation for the real-world, systemic challenges that impact our well-being.
Outside of therapy, I am a family-oriented person who strongly believes we cannot run on fumes. Making time for what nourishes us is essential. To practice my own self-care, I love: Trying new restaurants (I'm a foodie!). Traveling and exploring internationally, tapping into my creative side through art, music, and ceramics.
Therapy is one of the most meaningful investments you can make in yourself. If you feel like we might be a good fit, I invite you to reach out! I would be honored to support you on your journey to healing.