Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Buffalo Grove, IL covered by Aetna

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read about my professional background.

I graduated with my bachelor's in social work in 2013 from MacMurray College in Jacksonville IL.

I furthered my education at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign School of Social Work and graduated with my Masters in SW in 2017.

I have gained 13 years of experience with the majority of those years spent in psychiatric facilities for children and adults.

I specialize in motivational interviewing, DBT, CBT, and a multitude of other treatment styles.

For me, I aim to help others transform their lives through compassionate, personalized care (with plenty of humor along the way). I specialize in working with people of color, student-athletes, and those who are neurodivergent. If you’re neurodivergent and reading this, you’ve finally found someone who specializes in and deeply understands your unique perspective. Whether seeking clarity on behaviors, understanding how you interpret the world, or navigating challenges, I am here to help.

Hi, I’m Stephany. I work with teens and adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life stress that can feel overwhelming or hard to manage alone. Many of my clients come to therapy feeling emotionally drained, stuck in patterns they don’t fully understand, or unsure how to move forward.

I’m passionate about creating a space where you feel safe, heard, and genuinely understood. Clients often describe me as warm, thoughtful, and easy to open up to.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been working in the mental health field 6+years. I have experience working with adolescents and adults of all ages, navigating trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, relationship difficulties, and complex life transitions. My background includes clinical, school-based, and higher-level care settings, which allows me to understand how emotional challenges show up across different environments and stages of life.

I specialize in trauma-informed care and work with clients who feel stuck in painful patterns, overwhelmed by emotions, or disconnected from themselves or others. My training includes CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and I have completed specialized training working with betrayal Trauma and sex addiction through IITAP. I am especially experienced in supporting clients who have complex cases and/ or deep rooted negative beliefs helping them to build stability, insight, and resilience in a way that feels sustainable and empowering.

I’m Carlos Ruiz, a bilingual LCPC, psychotherapist, and Spiritual Director with graduate training in counseling and divinity. In my practice, I foster a safe, collaborative space where we can work together to help you move away from self-judgment and toward greater self-acceptance, curiosity, and meaningful connection. I work with individuals and couples navigating family issues, grief and loss, trauma, LGBTQ+ concerns, relationship and sexuality issues, transition struggles, anger management, and cross-cultural concerns. My hope is to help you discover the unreleased energy within you that can support healing, healthier living, and deeper connection with yourself and others.

I’m dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care for individuals of all backgrounds. My goal is to create a safe space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to take control of your mental well-being. I value collaboration, transparency, and genuine connection in the healing process.

I am a clinical psychologist licensed in California and Illinois, and can see clients from both states. I have worked with clients in the areas of depression, anxiety, relationships issues, addictions, stress management, sport and performance, bipolar disorder, and binge eating disorder. My therapy style is personable, connected, focused, and attuned.

I am not seeing couples at this time. I work best with women. Are you ready to say no without guilt? I use the feminist theory of counseling to examine the effects of power structures in your life. I use guided meditation to reprogram subconscious beliefs like, "I'm not good enough," and, "No one loves me." I’m neurodivergent affirming and have worked with many high achievers. I study adult attachment styles and how to become secure. I have been a counselor for 14 years. I enjoy meditating and walking in nature. I study psychology, spirituality, quantum physics, business, and nutrition.