Sex, intimacy, and desire discrepancy may be the most common concerns couples bring to me, and they’re also some of the hardest to talk about. By the time a couple reaches me, they’ve often spent years quietly misreading each other’s behavior and feelings. One partner might think, “They must not find me attractive anymore.” The…
I am a psychotherapist and Intake Manager at Wildflower. As a clinician, I enjoy working with individuals and couples who desire to live a more meaningful life that is congruent with their key values. I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is the central pillar of all success, and I seek to understand people and their challenges so that positive change – tailored to each person – can happen. I emphasize a collaborative approach where we jointly work towards long-term growth. I seek to create a safe, welcoming environment where genuine conversation and exploration can occur. My specialties include relationships, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, ADD, and distress around identity. I also support clients with transitions to parenthood and postpartum challenges that may arise. Oftentimes these life transitions are more difficult than most people can imagine. I recognize the challenges each person overcomes to start therapy and the courage required to begin that process. Together we will look for pragmatic and effective ways to ignite the process towards feeling better, living a more authentic life, and experiencing sustained joy. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cornell College and my Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. I previously worked with special education students at a high school in Arizona before moving to Chicago to work with a nonprofit organization as a counselor for people diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. I have also worked with adolescents in both individual and family counseling. Additionally, I completed my advanced clinical internship at Wildflower. I draw on multiple evidence-based frameworks and approaches, specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, the Gottman Method, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, EMDR, and Trauma-Informed Care practices. I am also certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). One of the most difficult aspects of therapy is getting started. It can feel overwhelming to try and find a therapist who specializes in what you are hoping to address and has a style that matches what you are looking for. As Wildflower’s Intake Manager, my goal is to make finding a therapist as easy for you as possible. We aim to make Wildflower’s intake process feel welcoming, supporting you from when you first reach out to when you schedule with us. Our intake team seeks to get you scheduled with the therapist who will be that excellent fit as soon as possible. In cases where we may not be the best fit for your needs, we will provide you with trusted referrals to help you connect with a therapist who will support you in your pursuit of health and wellness. LCSW License Number: 149024621 Type 1 NPI Number: 1861028474 Accepts: BCBS PPO and BlueChoice plans, self-pay and out of network clients Pronouns he/him/his Selected training and affiliation Member of Postpartum Support International Member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science Motivational Interviewing trainings Gottman Training Level 1 for Couples Therapy Gottman Training Level 2 for Couples Therapy Trauma Informed Care trainings EMDR Basic Training Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) Highly-Sensitive Person (HSP) Knowledgeable Therapist Presentations and Facilitated Trainings Treating the Perinatal Couple The Lowdown on Low Libido: (Re)Defining Desire for the Couple in Psychotherapy Key beliefs Discomfort is where learning begins All emotions are valid Progress takes many forms and looks different for everyone More about me I have lived in three countries and throughout the United States I frequently get lost in good books Podcasts bring life to my morning commute I am most energized and reinvigorated when hiking in the wilderness or playing with my dog
Parental Burnout: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What You Can Do About It
Parenting can be one of the most meaningful and fulfilling roles a person can take on. It is also one of the most relentless. Unlike most other demanding roles in our lives, with parenting there is no clocking out, no vacation days, and no performance review that tells you how you are doing. Over time,…
Preparing for Your New Baby: A Guide for the Non-Birthing Partner
The arrival of a new baby is one of the most profound and transformative experiences that a family can go through. While there is an enormous amount of attention (rightfully so) paid to the birthing partner during the perinatal period, the non-birthing partner’s experience is frequently overlooked or minimized (Eddy et al., 2019). The reality…
Rekindling Connection: What does Affair Recovery look like in Therapy?
There is a saying that I hear a lot in my work as a couples therapist that I really disagree with: “time heals all wounds.” Even if we take that statement literally, it just is not true. Oftentimes wounds fester or get infected, and time actually makes them worse, not better. You have to start…
90-Minute Couples Therapy Sessions: More Time Can Lead to Better Results
When couples decide to pursue therapy, it’s a sign of commitment — not just to the relationship, but to growth, healing, and understanding. Choosing the right therapist is crucial to the success in couples therapy, but that is not the only aspect you should be thoughtful about. Selecting the right session format is just as…
From Overwhelm to Connection: Managing Emotional Flooding as a Couple
Being overwhelmed is something that everyone has experienced. When we are in this overwhelmed state, we are not able to be our best selves, and it sometimes feels like we have lost control of our emotions and our actions. This experience can feel like we are “seeing red” or like it saps us of all…
Therapist Certification in Perinatal Mental Health: An Interview with Marco Renzi, MA, LCSW, PMH-C
We recently featured a Q & A with Marco Renzi, MA, LCSW, PMH-C, an experienced psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and manager of intake operations at Wildflower Center for Emotional Health, to discuss his deep commitment to supporting individuals and couples as they transition to parenthood. In the video below, Marco expands on the significance of therapist…
Mental Health in the Perinatal Period: Interview with Marco Renzi, LCSW, PMH-C
In this interview, we sat down with Marco Renzi, MA, LCSW, PMH-C, an experienced psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, and manager of intake operations at Wildflower Center for Emotional Health, to discuss his deep commitment to supporting individuals and couples as they transition to parenthood. Marco brings a compassionate and informed approach to his work with both…
Getting Support as a New Father During the Postpartum Period
The postpartum period is a significant life transition, and as such can be incredibly challenging. As many as 1 in 5 women experience a mood or anxiety disorder during pregnancy and/or the first year postpartum (Howard et al., 2014). Additionally, the postpartum period affects the whole family, not just the birthing person. Evidence shows that…
Demystifying Psychotherapy: Unlocking the Full Potential of your Psychotherapy Experience
Psychotherapy can help us achieve our goals, whether that be personal growth, self-discovery, or improving our mental well-being. Whatever your reason for seeking therapy, getting the most out of your psychotherapy sessions requires active engagement and commitment. My colleague, Kate Ernstrom, wrote a previous article about how to get the most out of therapy which…
