Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Joliet, IL

Hi, I’m Gretchen, a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP, ANCC) with a Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University. I work with individuals, teens, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma/PTSD, ADHD, and substance use concerns, providing care in both English and Spanish. I bring experience from emergency departments, inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and private practice, and I strive to create a safe, judgment-free space where clients feel heard, respected, and supported. I value collaboration and flexibility, tailoring each session to your needs so you can feel empowered to make meaningful changes.

Hi! I specialize in helping adults, teens, and children navigate the unique, everyday challenges of ADHD using a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach. In our sessions, I gently blend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help you or your child manage symptoms, reframe frustrating thought patterns, and process underlying emotional blocks.

As a trained EMDR clinician, I know that ADHD rarely exists in a vacuum—it often brings along anxiety, stress, or a feeling of being constantly overwhelmed. By combining the practical, everyday skill-building of CBT with the deep, healing potential of EMDR, we will work together to improve focus, emotional regulation, and confidence. My goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental, and comfortable space where clients of all ages feel truly heard, deeply understood, and fully equipped to thrive.

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.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with a Master's degree in Community Counseling. I believe healing begins when we feel safe enough to show up as our authentic selves. My approach to mental wellness is holistic, recognizing the connection between our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and overall well-being.

As a mental health professional, transformational leader, and certified executive coach, I bring a compassionate, collaborative perspective to helping women navigate life's challenges. I understand that being the person everyone depends on can sometimes leave little room to care for yourself. My goal is to provide a supportive, judgment-free space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to grow.

I work with women across the lifespan who are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and major life transitions. Together, we'll explore patterns, strengthen coping skills, establish healthy boundaries, and build greater self-awareness.

I believe you are more than the challenges you're facing. Therapy is an opportunity to invest in yourself, reconnect with your strengths, and create a life that feels more balanced, fulfilling, and aligned with who you are. You don't have to have everything figured out to begin. You just have to be willing to take the first step.

When stress starts to build, it can affect more than just your day-to-day life. It can impact your mood, your energy, and your relationships. I work with adults and couples who are navigating anxiety, depression, workplace stress, and burnout. Many of my clients are used to juggling responsibilities, caring for others, and pushing through difficult seasons until they realize they're no longer feeling like themselves. You might feel constantly overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, or like you can’t fully “turn off” your mind. At the same time, stress can begin to show up in your relationships through miscommunication, distance, or frustration, making it harder to feel connected and supported.