Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Aurora, IL

Welcome! I'm Brianne (many of my younger clients know me as Ms. Brie), founder of Imagination Grove Play Therapy.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist with more than 20 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Throughout my career, I've specialized in helping individuals navigate anxiety, ADHD, autism, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, and social difficulties. My background as a school social worker has provided extensive experience collaborating with families, educators, physicians, and multidisciplinary teams to support children across home and school settings while also deepening my understanding of the unique challenges families face.

Whether you're seeking support for your child, yourself, or your family, I know reaching out for help can feel overwhelming. My goal is to provide a warm, welcoming space where every client feels safe, understood, and empowered to grow. I believe healing happens through connection, curiosity, and meeting each person where they are. Together, we'll build on strengths, navigate challenges, and create meaningful, lasting change.

I believe that therapy works best when people feel understood, respected and safe. I have over 20 year of experience helping adults navigate trauma, depression, anxiety, identity exploration, grief/loss, life transitions and relationship challenges. Much of my career has been devoted to working with veterans and individuals who have faced difficult or traumatic experiences. I strongly believe in establishing a relationship of equals and mutual respect between therapist and client; one that leads to a guided journey of self-discovery and change.

I began working broadly in this field nearly 30 years ago and became a licensed clinical social worker 20 years ago. Along with completing a masters degree in social work from the University of Illinois, Chicago, I hold a masters degree in fine art in drawing and painting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I believe these areas of study have come to inform my practice in obvious and sometimes less obvious ways.

I began my private practice in 2014 specializing in a harm reduction and moderation as apt responses to problematic substance use, as defined by those seeking my help.

Largely in response to the evolving relationships with my clients and referrals that often came in for friends and family of previous clients, I've come to work with trauma survivors, people identifying difficulty establishing stable relationships in social and professional settings, and people addressing loneliness and mood dysregulation.

Dr. Maria Escobar is a licensed clinical social worker and Doctor of Social Work dedicated to advancing equity, empowerment, and well-being in diverse communities. With over 10 years of experience in the field, Dr. Escobar specializes in clinical practice areas, e.g., trauma-informed care, family systems, or mental health advocacy.

Thank you for taking the first step in sharing your story—your Mental Health Matters, and you deserve to be heard, supported, and understood.

Welcome to Integrated Family Behavioral Health & Counseling PLLC! I'm Mihaela Vladu, PMHNP-BC, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 16+ years of experience in healthcare, dedicated to helping individuals achieve lasting mental wellness and regain control of their lives.

I provide compassionate, personalized, and evidence-based care in a safe and supportive environment where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered. My approach focuses on treating the whole person—not just symptoms—while working collaboratively with you to reach your goals.

I specialize in working with a diverse range of individuals, including younger/older adults, children aged 6 and up, women dealing specifically with trauma and abuse, and veterans, as well as active-duty personnel experiencing PTSD. As a certified ADHD specialist, I provide targeted, evidence-based interventions to help individuals improve focus and daily functioning. I also have extensive experience treating bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, panic disorder, OCD, and other complex mental health conditions.

Areas of Expertise:

• Dual-Diagnosis Care (SUD + mood/anxiety​/​psychotic disorders)

• MAT: Buprenorphine​/​Suboxone inductions & maintenance; relapse-prevention planning

• Alcohol​/​Opioid Withdrawal & Detox protocols (court order MAT program, inpatient, outpatient, and halfway houses)

• Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis

• Residential​/​PHP​/​IOP programmed care & step-down planning

• Trauma-informed care, veteran populations, and complex comorbidity

Hello, and welcome! I'm glad you're here. I'm a clinical psychologist specializing in helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, chronic health conditions, stress, and life's unexpected challenges.

I believe emotional and physical health are deeply connected. Whether you're coping with a medical diagnosis, feeling overwhelmed by daily stress, or simply looking to feel more like yourself again, I'll meet you with compassion, curiosity, and practical support. Together, we'll create a path toward greater balance, resilience, and well-being.

I approach therapy in a collaborative and compassionate way, creating a safe space where clients can feel supported as they explore their inner world. I believe that each client is the expert of their own life, and my role is to guide, support, and provide tools to help you connect with your strengths and insights. My work is trauma-informed and integrates a variety of techniques, including internal family systems, somatic methods, inner child work, strengths-based narratives, CBT, experiential approaches, and clinical hypnosis.

Hello Fellow Human,

I am a sex and relationship therapist with a focus on BDSM and kink. Clients have found that my approach being direct with care and affirming have aided in reaching their goals. I believe that connection with others can lead to healing and use a collaborative approach.