Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Joliet, IL covered by Aetna

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters Degree in Counseling from National Louis University. I am registered as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois, a National Certified Counselor and a Professional Educator as a School Counselor in the state of Illinois. I have numerous years of clinical experience in treating children, adolescents, adults and families using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Mindfulness and a variety of other treatment modalities. I have worked in a variety of setting that have ranged from community mental health, psychiatric transition services, middle and high schools, animal assisted therapy, a domestic violence agency, and leading social skills groups.

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.

I’m a multilingual (English, German, French) licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of experience helping people through life’s challenges. I’ve worked with individuals of different ages and backgrounds in the United States and internationally, including in schools, hospitals, residential programs, and community mental health settings. I hold a Master of Social Work, a Bachelor of Social Work from Vienna, Austria, and a CADC. I have experience supporting people through trauma, substance use, depression, anxiety, women’s issues, cultural and identity concerns, and everyday stress. I value creating a space where you feel heard, respected, and comfortable being yourself. I see therapy as a collaborative process and am here to meet you where you are and support you in finding greater balance, clarity, and effective ways to cope with life’s challenges.

Welcome — I'm so glad you're here! With 23 years of experience as a school social worker, I am passionate about helping children, adolescents, and families navigate life's challenges and build the skills needed to thrive at home, school and in their communities. I work with children and teens ages 3-17, as well as parents and caregivers who are seeking support, guidance, and practical strategies to strengthen family relationships, work through family conflicts and improve daily functioning. My goal is to help build the necessary skills to strengthen relationships and homeostasis within family structures and the individual.

I specialize in working with neurodivergent children, adolescents, and families including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), social-communication challenges, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, and behavioral challenges. I also specialize in working with high conflict family dynamics which include parent-child relationships, divorce (for families that are both in and/or out of the family court system), sibling rivalry, and multicultural child rearing.

Great to meet you! I’m Mario (or Tomario), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 14 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families through life's toughest challenges. Whether you're navigating career stress, relationship difficulties, family conflicts, depression, or substance use, my goal is to serve as a supportive catalyst for positive change in your life.