Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Arlington Heights, IL

I believe meaningful change begins with feeling heard, understood, and accepted. My goal is to create a warm, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where children and teens feel safe being themselves while working toward positive change.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with more than 22 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in both school and mental health settings. I currently work in a school, helping students navigate social, emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges. I also have experience in an adolescent psychiatric hospital, where I supported teens struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

I understand the unique pressures young people face today—from school stress, academic expectations, and fitting in with peers to family conflict, identity development, anxiety, depression, and parental stress. My approach is affirming, strengths-based, and solution-focused, combining empathy and a genuine sense of humor. I believe therapy doesn't always have to feel heavy and that laughter can be an important part of healing. Together, we'll build on your strengths to help you feel more confident, resilient, and empowered.

Choosing the right provider is a big step, and I'm here to offer a unique blend of expertise and genuine support. I'm a dual board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and a Certified Advanced Practice Addictions Nurse. What does this mean for you? It means I can offer truly integrated care, understanding how your physical and mental health are connected, and providing specialized support for addiction.

HI! My name is Eunice Hernandez, and I am looking forward to connecting with

you! As a clinician, I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you feel heard,

safe, and supported. As we build a trusting relationship, I hope to be able to

empower you in identifying action steps you can take to reach your full potential and

self-worth. I have over 20 years of counseling children, adolecent and adults from different walks of life.

My nursing career began in 2010 when I first became a Registered Nurse. In 2017 I graduated from Maryville University in St. Louis, MO with my master’s degree in nursing and became a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) licensed in Illinois. I have been blessed to work in many facets of healthcare since and has also become a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). With a strong foundation in both primary care and mental health, my approach aligns overall wellness and hormone optimization with physical, mental, and lifestyle well-being.

Hello, I'm glad you're here! I'm Vernetta, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I hold a Master Degree in Counseling Psychology and a Master in Organizational Psychology. I am a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC). I have a significant history working with Adolescents and Families, and Substance Abuse treatment. I provide psychotherapy for individuals, families and groups dealing with many mental health concerns including but, not limited to: depression, anxiety, anger management, grief and loss, parenting and behavioral issues, women issues and I can provide Christian counseling as well. I would appreciate the opportunity walk beside you and assist you on your journey to healing.

I have a fundamental belief in the transformative power of therapy. I come to this belief not just as a practicing therapist but as someone who was profoundly shaped by therapy as a young man. Having started my own journey with doubt and hesitation, I deeply respect the courage it takes to begin this work. Talking about therapy can feel tricky as jargon and platitudes often dominate the conversation. What I can say is this: I believe in your capacity—within a therapeutic relationship that intuitively feels right to you—to become a better version of yourself defined on your own terms.

I get it — because I’ve lived it, both professionally and personally.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent over two decades in the corporate world, most of it in consulting, helping people and organizations improve performance and well-being. I also built and ran a company of my own, so I understand firsthand the pressure, high stakes, and constant push to hold it all together that come with building something from the ground up.

And in my own relationships, I know what it takes to communicate honestly, navigate conflict, and stay connected — the same things I help my clients work through.

I work with individuals and couples of all ages on anxiety, depression, burnout, executive and career stress, life transitions, relationship issues, and communication skills. I’m deeply focused on the connection between physical and mental health — sleep, movement, nutrition, purpose, and connection aren’t side notes to me, they’re central to how I think about wellbeing.

I hold a BA in Psychology, a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and an MSW, but what matters most is how I show up: fully present, genuinely empathetic, and committed to being real with my clients — even when honesty is the harder thing to offer.

Outside the office, I’m a long-distance runner, a music lover, a cook, and a lifelong collector of sports and trading cards.

⭐ I’m Shelly Lewin, LCSW/LICSW, a therapist with 31 years of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, identity issues, and major life transitions. I provide virtual therapy across Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New Mexico, and West Virginia, offering accessible, evidence‐based care to clients seeking meaningful and lasting change. I have 30+ years of experience in private practice and leadership roles at organizations including:

• The Joint Commission
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Kaiser Permanente
• Common Spirit
• Mount Sinai Health System

This background allows me to offer deep clinical expertise paired with practical, real‐world understanding of how people heal and grow. My approach is warm, collaborative, open‐minded, and affirming. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or ready for change, I’m here to walk beside you with steady support and clinically grounded guidance. I specialize in therapy for adults experiencing:

• Anxiety & panic disorders
• Depression & mood disorders
• PTSD and trauma recovery
• Substance use and addiction
• LGBTQIA+ affirmative care
• Men’s issues & identity exploration
• Life and career transitions
• Chronic illness & long-term stress

Additional areas of expertise include: Bipolar disorder, OCD, grief & loss, workplace stress, anger management, cultural/ethnic identity issues, expat adjustment, relationship issues, family challenges, and end-of-life concerns

If you're an adult navigating anxiety, depression, or relationship stress — and maybe feeling like

no one quite understands where you're coming from — you're in the right place. I've been

practicing for 15 years across community and clinical settings, working with adults and older

adults on mood, relationships, and the weight of everyday life. I'm bilingual in English and

Spanish, and having lived abroad myself, I genuinely enjoy working with people from a wide

range of cultural backgrounds. You don't have to explain your world to me — I'm here to

understand it.

Hi, I’m Gretchen, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP, ANCC) with a Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University. I work with individuals, teens, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, ADHD, and substance use concerns, providing care in both English and Spanish. I bring experience from emergency departments, inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and private practice, and I strive to create a safe, judgment-free space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported. I value collaboration and flexibility, tailoring each session to your needs so you can feel empowered to make meaningful changes.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over a decade of experience in mental health care, supporting individuals across inpatient and outpatient settings. Through my work, I have cared for clients with a wide range of needs, including chronic and severe mental health conditions, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate symptoms while trying to maintain daily life.

My care philosophy is centered on partnership. Treatment is not about taking over your care, but about working with you to explore your symptoms, goals, and values. Together, we develop a treatment plan that feels respectful, personalized, and empowering. If you have concerns or hesitations about medication, we will discuss all available options openly and thoughtfully, moving at a pace that feels right for you.

I work with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, and other mood and thought-related conditions. During the initial session, we focus on understanding your concerns, reviewing your history, and identifying practical steps toward improvement. Care may include psychiatric evaluation, medication management when appropriate, brief psychotherapy, education, and ongoing support.

I believe mental health care should feel supportive, clear, and collaborative—not rushed or overwhelming.

You do not have to face these challenges alone. My role is to help you reduce symptoms, strengthen coping skills, and regain balance so you can function at your best and move forward with confidence and stability.