Couples therapists in Aurora, IL

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who believes therapy should feel real, human, and grounded in honest conversation. With experience in community mental health, treatment courts, group work, and clinical supervision, in addition to working with individuals navigating trauma, identity, and personal change. I also teach and mentor future counselors while researching the psychological experiences of individuals living with vitiligo. I bring a little bit of humor into therapy, because let’s face it, in this day and age a little bit of laughing takes stress off our already hectic lives; though when it is time to get serious, we will address all and any issues that may be hindering your pathways of life. My philosophy: “people are more than their labels, and growth begins when people feel seen, heard, and respected.”

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years of experience, working with adults and couples in individual therapy. I draw from Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support clients facing ADHD, anxiety, depression, domestic violence, grief and loss, self injury, spirituality, substance use, and trauma or PTSD.

Hey there! I’m Briana Kesterson, LCSW.

I’m a licensed therapist offering individual and family therapy in Illinois, supporting people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves. I have a Bachelor's in Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois and a Master's in Social Work from Aurora University.

I work with children, teens, adults, and families navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, relationship challenges, and self worth struggles. Many of my clients come in feeling “too much” or “not enough” and together, we begin to understand how to better support the parts of you that learned to cope and protect just to survive.

Welcome! As a board-certified physician dual-trained in Psychiatry and Neurology (MD), I offer a comprehensive approach to brain health and emotional well-being by bridging the connection between the mind and the nervous system.

Education & Background

• Doctor of Medicine (MD): Completed rigorous residency training spanning both psychiatry and neurology.
• Integrated Care: Combining psychopharmacology, neurological evaluation, and evidence-based therapies for precise, whole-person care.

Key Specializations

• Neuropsychiatry: Mood, behavior, or cognitive changes linked to neurological conditions (stroke, TBI, Parkinson's, MS).
• Memory & Cognitive Disorders: Evaluation and care for memory loss, mild cognitive impairment, and dementias.
• Treatment-Resistant Conditions: Tailored medical strategies for severe depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
• Overlapping Symptoms: Managing complex conditions like chronic migraines with mood symptoms or functional neurological disorders (FND).
• Executive Dysfunction & ADHD: Comprehensive assessment and treatment for focus and attention challenges.

My Approach I prioritize thorough evaluations and collaborative, evidence-based care tailored to your unique goals and quality of life.

Hi there, I’m Shelia

Do you feel like the weight of the world is weighing you down? Life’s struggles are becoming unmanageable? Managing family, relationships and job is getting too hard?

I help clients find a healthy perception of themselves and strengthen their relationships. We can partner to identify what works and what doesn’t to create a new path that works better. I have experience with individual, family, and group modalities and will use an integrative approach based on your needs. This may include: client-centered, mindfulness, solution focused, and trauma-informed techniques.