Find a therapist in Downers Grove, IL — covered by insurance

Hi, I'm Tierra Kinnard, LCSW, and founder of Step by Step Healing Services, LLC. With more than 16 years of experience in the mental health field, I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges with compassion, understanding, and evidence-based care. I believe healing begins in a space where you feel safe, heard, and accepted exactly as you are. I specialize in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Excoriation (Skin Picking Disorder), Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder), anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief and loss. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including members of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. I understand the profound impact that mental health challenges can have on individuals, families, and relationships, and I am committed to helping clients build resilience, find relief, and create meaningful change.

I’m a licensed therapist dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward emotional wellbeing, healing, and personal growth. My educational background includes school based and mental health therapy specializing in relationship issues, anxiety and stress. You don’t have to have it all figured out to take the first step. If you’re looking for a warm, nonjudgmental space, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

I graduated with my MSW from Aurora University in 2017, and I’ve continued to deepen my clinical training ever since. I’m trained in a variety of evidence‐based therapeutic approaches—including Gottman, EMDR, ACT, Motivational interviewing, and harm reduction—which allows me to tailor therapy to each person’s needs and goals.

Clients often tell me they appreciate my calm, collaborative style. I value getting to know who you are, understanding what matters most to you, and creating a space where you can explore challenges without judgment. My work is grounded in curiosity, compassion, and the belief that people grow best when they feel safe, supported, and genuinely understood.

I believe healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood. As a bilingual (English/Spanish) LCSW in Illinois, I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, and life's bigger transitions. My approach is warm,

practical, and grounded in what the research says works. Whether you are carrying something heavy or simply ready for a change, I meet you where you are. I would love to

be part of your journey toward the life you want to build. Let's connect.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and clinically grounded environment for individuals and families navigating life’s most difficult challenges. Since earning my Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2004, I have spent over 15 years helping people move from places of uncertainty and pain toward clarity, resilience, and confidence.

I come to therapy with a background in education and theater, which has deeply shaped how I connect with people and understand the human experience. My work is rooted in helping individuals better define who they are, where they want to be, and what may be standing in the way of getting there.

I believe therapy is a collaborative process built on curiosity, honesty, and growth. Together, we’ll identify obstacles, explore patterns, and engage with challenges in a meaningful way until we find solutions that truly work for you. My goal is to provide a space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered to move forward with greater clarity and confidence.

I’m a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Michigan, and I work with adults who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves. Many of the people I support are navigating anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, identity questions, or the quiet pressure of holding everything together without feeling seen.

I work with men, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, neurodivergent adults, and people of color, particularly those who feel misunderstood or overlooked. Therapy is a place to slow down, make sense of what you’re carrying, and reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been pushed aside over time.

I specialize in counseling individuals with addictions, eating disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and trauma. My goal as a therapist is to help patients live the life they imagine, so please feel free to come in and let me know what you're struggling with, and we will work collaboratively to figure out the best way to move toward healing. I know life can get really challenging at times, symptoms flare up, you feel lost. I'm here to listen to you and work together to help you cope and rebuild the life you want to live.

With nearly three decades of experience, I've learned that meaningful change begins when people feel truly heard, understood, and supported. I work with clients navigating anxiety, depression, stress, relationship challenges, grief, trauma, and major life transitions. Having grown up in India and continued my education in both the United Kingdom and the United States, I also bring an appreciation for how culture, family, and life experiences can shape who we are. My goal is to provide a warm, compassionate space where you can build on your strengths, gain practical tools, and create lasting change.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois with over 8 years of experience supporting individuals across the lifespan. I began my career as an Early Childhood Teacher which sparked my passion for helping others and transitioned to social work. I believe prioritizing mental health is essential to overall stability and well-being. I have experience working with children, adolescents adults and older adults who are managing PTSD, grief depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders.