Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Joliet, IL

Hello there and welcome!

I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) dedicated to guiding individuals through life's complexities. With a passion for helping others, my goal as a therapist is to provide support for those facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and relationship concerns.

You are not what has happened to you. No need to unpack it all on your own.

Clients often describe me as approachable, practical, and easy to talk to. Therapy should be a collaborative process, and I strive to create a space where you feel comfortable being yourself without fear of judgment. My style balances support with practical problem-solving, helping clients gain insight while also developing strategies they can use in everyday life. Above all, I want you to feel heard, understood, and supported as we work toward your goals together.

Life can be overwhelming. Feeling alone while struggling can compound that sense of despair. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, loss, trauma, divorce, career challenges, health issues, addiction, or even just confusion about the future, seeking help is the beginning of the change. As a career woman, licensed attorney, mother, divorcee, and active community member, I bring my own life experience and vast education to my work. We can figure out a plan together to make navigating the day-to-day more manageable.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience, I work with teens and adults navigating stress, anxiety, life changes, relationships, grief, and emotional overwhelm. Sometimes you may not have the words for what you’re feeling—you just know something feels off. I offer a warm, judgment-free space to slow down, make sense of what you’re experiencing, and figure out what you need.

I’m a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and mom of four with a passion for helping people feel balanced, understood, and supported. I earned my nursing degree from Chamberlain University in Chicago and completed my psychiatric graduate training at the University of Kentucky. I’ve been proudly serving patients as a PMHNP since 2022.

I provide care for children (6+), teens, and adults, including parents, professionals, students, and anyone navigating life transitions or emotional challenges. My focus areas include: ADHD, anxiety & panic, depression, bipolar disorders, trauma & PTSD, emotional dysregulation and impulsivity, sleep issues, and mood and behavior concerns in children/teens.

Hello.

• I’m excited about working together.

I'm a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with experience assessing and treating a broad range of psychiatric conditions. I see patients from young adults through older adulthood. My practice is largely focused on adults dealing with stress, mood changes, sleep issues, and the cumulative weight of work, relationships, and responsibility, and questions of spirituality. I respect your time, your autonomy, and your intelligence.

Life can get heavy, and sometimes you get to a point where you know something needs to change, you just may not know where to start. That’s where I can help. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, grief, major life changes, or just trying to make sense of everything you’ve been carrying, we can work through it together.

I work with children, teens, and adults, with a special passion for supporting at-risk youth, justice-involved individuals, and people who may feel like they’ve been judged, misunderstood, or overlooked. You don’t have to come into therapy with the right words or have everything figured out. Come as you are. We’ll start there and work toward where you want to be.

Dr. Christina Alexakos is a Clinical Psychologist with over 19 years of experience

providing psychotherapy to individuals across the lifespan from childhood to geriatric.

She has experience in assisting clients with adjustment issues ranging from changes in

occupation, education, grief, relocation, providing skills in parenting, stress and pain

management, health and wellness, mindfulness, increasing self-esteem and

assertiveness. She has worked with anxiety and depressive disorders, bipolar disorder,

trauma, anger management, personality disorders, and severe mental illness.

Dr. Christina Alexakos earned her Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology

from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She provided inpatient

psychological assessments and group psychotherapy at Hartgrove Psychiatric Hospital.

She trained in Health Psychology in the pain clinic at Swedish Covenant Hospital as

well as providing inpatient and outpatient psychotherapy to hospital patients. The

University of Chicago and The University of Illinois at Chicago provided comprehensive

training in neuropsychological evaluations with adults and children experiencing a wide

range of clinical concerns. She completed an internship at Southlake Community Mental

Health Center and a postdoctoral fellowship at Hopewell Academies, a therapeutic day

school for special needs/troubled teenagers.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 13 years of experience supporting individuals and families of various ages. With my skill set I help clients navigate depression, anxiety, postpartum, family stress, intimate partner violence, crisis interventions, major life transitions and so much more. I provide therapy services and specialize in conducting comprehensive biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments for individuals seeking mental health evaluation, diagnosis, and support. Helping individuals gain a clearer understanding of their mental health through comprehensive evaluations. I help individuals gain a clearer understanding of their mental health through comprehensive evaluations.

Using clinical diagnostic tools, I evaluate presenting symptoms and provide accurate diagnoses. I gather detailed background information and use evidence-based diagnostic methods to determine the most clinically appropriate diagnosis. During the assessment process, I draw from structured interviews, standardized measures, and clinical observation to gain a comprehensive understanding of each individual’s emotional, behavioral, and psychological functioning. Once the diagnostic evaluation is complete, I provide appropriate referrals tailored to each client’s needs—whether that includes specialized therapy/treatment, psychiatry for medication management/evaluation, or other supportive services. I am committed to helping clients access the right level of care and begin a treatment plan that aligns with their goals, symptoms, and long-term well-being.

I grew up on the south side of Chicago. I am married and have two adult children. I have been a registered nurse for 30 years, primarily in women’s health and psychology and psychiatry nursing. I became a clinical mental health counselor 5 years ago, graduated from Bradley University.