Grief counselors and therapists in Frankfort, IL

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and I would love the opportunity to walk in this journey with you. I have an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University. I am passionate about working with life transitions, identity concerns, grief, sexual assault and domestic violence survivors and racial identity conflicts. I have experience with all of the above as well as depression, anxiety and more.

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.

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.

I believe that therapy works best when people feel understood, respected and safe. I have over 20 year of experience helping adults navigate trauma, depression, anxiety, identity exploration, grief/loss, life transitions and relationship challenges. Much of my career has been devoted to working with veterans and individuals who have faced difficult or traumatic experiences. I strongly believe in establishing a relationship of equals and mutual respect between therapist and client; one that leads to a guided journey of self-discovery and change.

With my background in art, bodywork, and spirituality, I am able to work holistically, and to faciliate mind/body/spirit wellness. I enjoy working with clients of all faiths, ethnicities, genders, and sexual preferences. Artists, introverts, and introspective people will find me especially understanding and perceptive.

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

I am a dual-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner, providing whole-person care that recognizes the connection between mental, emotional, and physical health. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, and Women's Health, and I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, supported, and empowered. Outside of my practice, I enjoy traveling, event decorating, and spending quality time with my family. I believe maintaining balance and personal fulfillment is an important part of overall well-being, and I bring that same perspective into the care I provide.

If you’ve been feeling anxious, down, overwhelmed by stress, or stuck in a hard transition, you’re not alone. I work with people 16 and up who want support around anxiety, depression, life stressors, and eating disorders. My goal is to help you feel understood while we work toward steady, meaningful change together.