Happy Pride Month from all of us at Wildflower Center for Emotional Health! This Pride Month, we are shining a light on how to be an effective ally and friend to people in the LGBTQIA+ community going through infertility. Infertility is a deeply emotional experience, and for LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, the journey to parenthood…
My aim as a psychotherapist is to create a safe, affirming space for my clients to share and to feel seen and heard. My goal is to bring a presence of authenticity, empathy, and connection. I work from the belief that everyone is capable of making change and healing when given the safe space to do so. My approach is both direct and warm, and I work from a strengths-based perspective, helping my clients to see all that they bring to the table inherently. I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
I earned my Bachelors Degree in Social Welfare and Justice and Spanish at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and went on to get my Masters Degree in clinical social work at The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Prior to coming to Wildflower, I spent nearly ten years working as a therapist in the Cook County health system in a variety of settings (jail, hospital, outpatient clinic), mostly with women who have experienced trauma and addiction. I have experience treating a myriad of disorders including but not limited to Depression, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. I’ve worked with individuals across the age and gender spectrum. The most common presentations I work with include infertility and perinatal mental health, transition to parenthood, trauma recovery, and substance abuse. I'm certified as a perinatal mental health clinician (PMH-C). Additionally, I facilitate the Infertility Support Group at Wildflower.
LCSW License Number: 149017994
Type 1 NPI Number: 1619347713
Accepts: BCBS PPO and BlueChoice plans, UnitedHealthcare/Optum PPO, self-pay and out of network clients
Pronouns
she/her/hersSelected trainings
Perinatal Mental Health-Certified (PMH-C) Trained in Trauma-informed care LGBTQ Affirming Provider Motivational Interviewing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Extensive Training in Harm Reduction 40 Hour Illinois Domestic Violence Training Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Gottman Level 1 Training for Couples Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) (In progress)Presentations and Facilitated Trainings
Working with Intimate Partner ViolenceKey beliefs
There is always a potential for change; humans are deeply resilient. The most important element of therapy is a safe therapeutic space and a strong therapeutic connection.More about me
My favorite forms of self-care are running, yoga, and spending hours cooking in my kitchen. My two kids and two dogs keep me on my feet and laughing. I could spend all day on the beach with a trashy mystery novel.
Postpartum Depression: What Are the Symptoms?
If you’re in a season of having kids or considering having kids, chances are you know someone who has experienced Postpartum Depression (PPD). Studies show as many as 21% of new moms experience PPD (Wisner et al., 2013), but what does that actually mean? We are going to break down the symptoms associated with PPD…
Recognizing and Celebrating Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the emotional and psychological challenges that many women face during the transition to parenthood. Conditions like postpartum depression, anxiety, and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders often go undiagnosed and untreated, affecting not only mothers but also their families and children’s development. Although…
National Infertility Awareness Week: Compassion, Education, and Advocacy
During National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) we join with many leading organizations in a campaign to shed light on the deeply personal and often misunderstood experience of infertility that impacts millions of individuals and couples worldwide. Infertility can be an isolating journey, filled with emotional, physical, and financial challenges, yet it remains a topic that…
Menstrual Cycle and Mental Health: What to Know and How to Cope
Many women know that their menstrual cycle can impact mood, but don’t know the specifics of how each phase of the cycle can affect them. Research shows that changes in estrogen and progesterone can affect emotional regulation, cognitive function, and overall mental well-being (Handy et al., 2022), with each part of the cycle exerting a different…
Perinatal Mental Health: A Guide for Therapists
As therapists, we are acutely aware of the complex interplay between mental health and life’s transitions. One of the most significant yet often overlooked transitions occurs during the perinatal period—encompassing pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Understanding perinatal mental health is essential for us to support our clients effectively during this transformative time. The Importance…
Understanding Infertility: A Guide for Psychotherapists
Infertility has become one of the most common reasons that women between the ages of 20 and 45 seek medical treatment in the United States. According to the CDC, 19% of women experience physiological (medical) infertility. Additionally, many more people experience social infertility (infertility caused by social relationships and circumstances). Given this significant portion of…
Understanding Social Infertility: An Evolving Term in Reproductive Health
Engaging in allyship with the LGBTQIA+ community entails, among other things, educating ourselves about the unique challenges they face. One significant issue is the often complicated journey to parenthood for those who choose that path. Social infertility is a new and evolving term describing this process. In recent years, infertility has gained awareness, resulting in…
10 Things You Need To Know About Infertility During Infertility Awareness Week
1. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant after one year of unprotected sex for heterosexual couples. With this said, many physicians recommend that women over the age of 35 seek specialized fertility care after six months of unprotected sex in heterosexual partnerships. 2. Infertility is not uncommon. In the U.S., one…
Navigating the Transition to Parenthood as a Team and How The Bringing Baby Home Workshop Can Help
The transition to parenthood is one that comes with profound shifts in identity, roles, and relationships. These shifts inevitably impact parents as individuals and as partners. Renowned psychotherapist and relationship expert, Esther Perel, states that “having a baby is a psychological revelation that changes our relation to almost everything and everyone” (Perel, 2006). These words…
