Book maternal mental health care, covered by insurance
Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Chicago, IL
Top prenatal and postpartum therapists and psychiatrists in Chicago, IL
Managing postpartum mental health is easier with Headway's network of solution-oriented providers across Chicago neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and Hyde Park. Sessions are available virtually or in-person, with many providers offering free initial consultations.
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I love helping both children and adults to cope better with stress, feel more hopeful about the future, and to process difficult moments from the past. Many of my clients have the goal to start living a life that aligns with their values; getting closer to what really matters to them. I see the goal of therapy as helping a client to live, work, learn, and play more freely. That might mean helping a child be brave enough to speak in front of their classmates or help an adult learn to set boundaries in their relationships.
I'm a lifelong learner who has many specialties, but my primary specialties would include Exposure and Response Prevention (Anxiety and OCD), Cognitive Processing Therapy (PTSD), ACT (Depression), Theraplay (children 0-5), treatments for neurodiverse peoples (ADHD and ASD), and Psychological Testing. I can also offer services in Spanish and English.
I appreciate the bravery it took to search for a therapist, and I hope I get the chance to help you and your family carve the next step forward. You are welcome to message me with questions or to set up a quick consult call to see what it'd be like to work with me. I guarantee I will respond to your inquiry within 2 business days.
I've devoted a decade of my career helping parents learn how to best help their children. And another decade helping adults in an out-patient partial hospitalization program. These are the moments when people have felt the most vulnerable and in need of something more than what they are already trying to manage their mental health. Hopefully, my experience and tools that I've gathered working across the age groups and in a more intense level of care can help you build your own toolbox.
Your experience with me will always be grounded in compassion, honesty, and respect. I believe people grow when they feel heard and understood, so I work hard to create a space where you feel safe being yourself. I am collaborative and down-to-earth, and I will meet you exactly where you are while helping you move toward the life you want.
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
My name is Lauren Dircks, and I have been supporting people for 3 years through a variety of challenges. I have a masters degree in Social Work and am a fully licensed social worker. I help those working through anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship challenges, postpartum depression, life adjustments, and much more. I specialize in working with those 13 years and older.
Frequently asked questions
Find an expert who truly understands maternal mental health
Headway helps you find expert-guided support for every stage of motherhood — from finding the right therapist or psychiatrist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Postpartum Therapist in Chicago
Searching for postpartum therapists in Chicago starts with finding someone whose training matches the kind of support you want. Postpartum concerns can include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, birth-related stress, identity shifts, and relationship strain. Some therapists also support pregnancy therapy, new parent therapy, and therapy for new moms. As you compare options, look for therapists who list perinatal mental health, postpartum counseling, or counseling for postpartum depression in their specialties. A Perinatal Mental Health Certification, often listed as PMH-C, can also signal focused training in this area.
Chicago has many therapists across neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Hyde Park, Lakeview, and the Loop, which can make it hard to narrow the list. For new parents, practical details often matter as much as clinical fit. Consider appointment availability, evening or weekend options, office location, transit access, and whether the therapist offers virtual sessions. Virtual care can be especially useful when schedules shift, infant care changes, or in-person appointments are harder to plan. Reading therapist bios can help you understand their experience with postpartum depression therapy, their communication style, and whether they offer a free phone consultation before booking.
Therapy in Chicago can be a significant investment without insurance. Using in-network insurance is one of the most reliable ways to reduce session costs and understand what you may pay before care begins. Headway helps you search for postpartum depression counselors and therapists who are accepting new patients, match your preferences, and accept a wide range of insurance plans. You can enter your insurance details, see estimated out-of-pocket costs before booking, review bios, and book directly when you’re ready.
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