LGBT therapists in Crystal Lake, IL

I am a solution focused therapist with 39 years of experience. My therapy style is cognitive, interactive, compassionate, and, if need be, challenging. I believe effective therapy should produce change, not just insight. I will listen to you deeply, help conceptualize the problems, patterns, and dynamics which are causing you trouble, and give you feedback. Together, we will develop a strategy for more effective functioning and a better quality of life. therapy.

I do not do phone consultations.

Are you looking for a therapist who understands your culture and speaks your language? I can help. I am fluent in Spanish, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and German.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor with 40 years of clinical experience. I work with adults, children, and adolescents, and I value each person’s cultural background, identity, and lived experience.

I believe one of the most courageous things you can do is begin to understand your own story.

My goal is to create a safe, grounded, and trusting space where you can begin your process of healing and growth. I work collaboratively with you to build a relationship that feels supportive, attuned, and meaningful—so you can explore what’s been weighing on you and move toward real, lasting change.

My work is rooted in supporting adults navigating trauma and its impact on emotional, relational, and day-to-day functioning. I use an individualized, evidence-based approach, integrating modalities such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and trauma-focused therapies to ensure your care is tailored specifically to you.

I have worked with individuals, families, and diverse populations across multiple settings, including private practice, hospitals, and community-based programs.

I earned my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with a concentration in Trauma and Crisis Intervention. Prior to this, I obtained my MD from Garyunis University in Benghazi, where I began my career as a psychiatrist, working in high-intensity and war-affected environments. That experience shaped my deep commitment to understanding trauma and the human capacity for resilience.

Since then, my work has expanded across different countries and clinical settings, including private practice, hospitals, and advocacy programs addressing domestic violence, sexual trauma, and gender-based violence.

What I value most in this work is witnessing your growth—supporting you in making sense of your experiences, reconnecting with yourself, and stepping into a more grounded, meaningful life.

In 1999, I started my counseling career working with sexually abused children in Illinois. Since then, I have provided therapeutic services in a variety of settings, including community mental health, foster care, private practice and hospice. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida and I am Licensed Clinical Professional Counseling (LCPC) in Illinois. In addition, I am a Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida.

I am a queer, neurodivergent art therapist. I graduated from the School of the Art Institute with a Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling in 2020 and recently acquired LCPC licensure. I have a background working with diverse populations, including experience in both inpatient and outpatient facilities focused on adults with a range of mental health disorders/multiple diagnoses, education spaces with adolescents, and public art-making spaces focused on community wellness.

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• I’m excited about working together.

I'm a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience assessing and treating a broad range of psychiatric conditions. I see patients from young adults through older adulthood. My practice is largely focused on adults dealing with stress, mood changes, sleep issues, and the cumulative weight of work, relationships, and responsibility, and questions of spirituality. I respect your time, your autonomy, and your intelligence.

I believe therapy should be a place where you don’t have to have it all together. Many of my clients are high-achieving professionals who are used to being the “strong one” for everyone else, but privately struggle with relationships, boundaries, confidence, or life transitions. I strive to create a warm, collaborative space where you can show up authentically, gain insight into patterns that no longer serve you, and build healthier relationships with yourself and others. I especially enjoy working with Black women and LGBTQ+ adults and strive to create an affirming, culturally responsive space where clients can show up fully as themselves.