Greetings. Congratulations on taking this first step. I believe that counseling is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois who has worked in healthcare settings for 20 years. I have experience working with persons with chronic illness, grief and loss, as well as anxiety, depression, high risk pregnancy, reproductive issues, parenting, issues of self-worth, life transitions, and compassion fatigue. I am also a certified Nia dance teacher. Nia is a practice that incorporates the healing arts, the martial arts and the dance arts. I like to work from a strengths-based approach utilizing elements of humanistic and positive psychology. I incorporate mindfulness techniques and elements of gentle healing movement as I believe that through movement we find health. I also utilize elements from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to re-pattern habitual behaviors that may no longer serve the individual. Collaboratively, we will explore what emotions come up, begin to access and investigate feelings and learn to nurture self. The work will allow those who are vulnerable to find meaning, purpose, and joy leading to a more harmonious well-balanced daily life. I look forward to going on this journey with you.