Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Evanston, IL

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families heal from trauma, strengthen relationships, and rediscover their sense of self. I earned my Master of Social Work from Aurora University in 2020 and provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each client's unique needs.

My clinical experience includes individual, couples, and family therapy, with specialized experience in marriage counseling, blended family dynamics, adoption, and positive parenting. I have worked in a therapeutic day school supporting children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, trauma, school refusal, and other complex mental health concerns. I also served as a therapist at a domestic violence shelter, providing trauma-informed care to children and adolescents impacted by grief, abuse, attachment wounds, and identity-related challenges.

I specialize in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, complex PTSD, OCD, dissociative disorders, behavioral concerns, and relationship challenges. My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based interventions with empathy and authenticity to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel understood, empowered, and equipped with practical tools for lasting growth.

I believe our experiences influence who we are, but they do not determine who we can become. Healing is a journey, and my goal is to help you build resilience, embrace your strengths, and confidently move forward into the next chapter of your life.

I offer a kind, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can show up exactly as you are. Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, emotionally drained, or unsure how to move forward. You may be dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship issues, or simply the weight of trying to hold everything together on your own. My goal is to help you feel safe, heard, and supported as we work through what is weighing on you. Therapy with me is about creating a space where you do not have to have all the answers right away - just a willingness to begin.

My commitment to therapy isn't just professional — it's deeply personal. With fifteen years of hands-on experience, I've navigated my own life journey and know firsthand what it means to search for purpose, confront unresolved barriers, and actively fight for inner healing. That lived experience is the fuel behind everything I do.

I am lively, warm, and I truly never meet a stranger. I welcome everyone with open arms and bring an uplifting, hopeful energy to every session — while also being the kind of counselor who will sit with you safely in your pain with a deeply empathetic heart. I am fiercely loyal and dedicated to your long-term growth and victory.

I work with faith-based individuals and spiritual seekers, adults in transition, adolescents and young adults, couples, and those navigating trauma, addiction, and recovery.

My style is eclectic and strength based. I see human nature as intrinsically good. Sigmund Freud said we are bio-social animals. I believe a great deal in listening to one’s self talk. The more positive our dialogue with ourselves is, the more positive our dialogues with others and our lives are. I’m also experienced in CBT, DBT, MI, Solution Focused, ACT, Gestalt, Interpersonal, and person-centered counseling.

My training includes lots of wonderful supervision and workshops, a three-year certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Chicago, and two one month intensives with Virginia Satir, the founder of family therapy. Virginia taught that exploring the self is like mining gold. We all have gold inside of us. That is our basic goodness. A lot of emotional suffering is the result of being detoured from that basic goodness.

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

Making the decision to begin therapy is a meaningful step, and I am committed to creating a space where you feel safe, supported, and truly heard. With over 18 years of experience as a school social worker, I have had the privilege of helping children, adolescents, and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, understanding, and practical support. Throughout my career, I have worked with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, family conflict, grief, trauma, life transitions, school-related stress, low self-esteem, and difficulty managing emotions. I believe every person’s story is unique, and therapy should be tailored to your individual needs, strengths, and goals. My hope is to walk alongside you as you move toward growth, healing, and a more fulfilling life!