Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Oak Brook, IL

I believe healing happens when you feel truly seen, heard, and accepted exactly as you are. Therapy doesn’t have to feel cold or clinical—it can be genuine, collaborative, and even include moments of laughter along the way.

I earned my Bachelor of Social Work from Western Illinois University and my Master of Social Work from Arizona State University. I’ve been practicing as a master’s-level social worker since 2010 and have been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for the past three years. I’m also certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a highly effective, evidence-based therapy that helps people heal from trauma and distressing life experiences.

I am a board certified Pyschiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a passion for helping others meet their individual goals. My nursing career started in 2014 on an inpatient psychiatric unit. I completed my Master's degree in 2018 and moved to Oupatient Psychiatry and Consult Liaison services. For the last 7 years I have worked in Addiction Psychiatry and Dual Diagnosis settings, focusing on medication management, harm reduction, and decreasing barriers to high quality care.

I'm a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a strong passion for helping adults navigate mental health challenges with clarity and confidence. I earned my Master of Science in Nursing from Maryville University, where I specialized in psychiatric care across the lifespan.

My clinical approach is collaborative, warm, and rooted in evidence-based practices. I provide medication management and integrate psychoeducation to help clients better understand and manage symptoms related to anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, and trauma-related conditions. I believe in treating the whole person—not just the diagnosis—and in creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel genuinely heard.

I currently see clients via telehealth only, offering flexible and convenient access to care from the comfort of your own space. Whether you're seeking your first psychiatric evaluation or continued support, my goal is to work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that supports your mental and emotional well-being.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Illinois and Michigan, I believe that therapy is your space, shaped by what you need right now.

With 13+ years of experience in community mental health, residential treatment, and inpatient psychiatry, I provide therapy and parent coaching to:

• Children (5 years and older) & Families
• Young Adults & Adults
• Parents & Caregivers

I work alongside individuals navigating hard moments—especially those who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or powerless. Often, the people I work with are themselves experiencing or have a loved one impacted by:

• major life stress or conflict at home or school/work
• trauma
• grief and loss
• depression
• anxiety
• psychosis
• mania
• substance use

You are the expert on your own life and your own healing. My role is to meet you where you are and walk with you on your path, sometimes guiding, sometimes following, but mostly walking side-by-side.

I take a unique, integrative approach to mental health care. Whether you’re a child or adolescent navigating anxiety and ADHD or a veteran or 1st responder managing stress and emotional challenges, I tailor my care to your individual needs. I combine Eastern herbs, nutritional supplements, prescription medications, and personalized nutrition plans to create a treatment model as unique as you are.

My goal is to help you build confidence, improve focus, and achieve balance in all areas of life—whether that’s excelling at school, enhancing job performance, or strengthening relationships. Together, we’ll create a path toward emotional well-being and a healthier, more fulfilling life.

My educational journey reflects my commitment to integrative and holistic care. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in biological and nursing sciences, a Master’s in acupuncture science, and a Doctorate in chiropractic medicine from the National University of Health Sciences, where I developed a strong foundation in Eastern medicine and natural therapies. I am a double board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in family and psychiatric mental health.

Welcome! My name is Kandice Hightower, and I am a dual board certified nurse practitioner specializing in family and psychiatric mental health. With over 18 years of experience as a nurse, I am dedicated to providing compassionate, knowledgeable care to every person I work with. I have experience treating ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and Bipolar Disorder, and I truly enjoy helping clients feel understood, supported, and empowered. If you are ready to take the first step, I would be happy to support you on this journey. Book today!

Although I am recently clinically licensed (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC), I am not new to the mental health field. Over my nearly decade of fulfilling work, I have enjoyed 5 years in therapeutic school settings with youth ages 5-years-old to 19-years-old, navigating crises through a therapeutic and trauma-informed lens as an Employee Assistant Program (EAP) counselor and through certifications in both Crisis Prevention Intervention and Therapeutic Crisis Prevention and Intervention models, supporting parents and families through a guardian support group for children in the therapeutic school setting as a facilitator for the past 3 years, and obtaining a Level 1 Certification in Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) through the Yale Child Study Center. As a result of my success in treating students and families who are impacted by school avoidance/refusal, I was selected to present to parents about concrete strategies, and was consulted in the development of a school avoidance/school refusal school response protocol. Additionally, an anti-racism intervention I co-created for students on the spectrum and their families is now used as a resource and response to school incidents involving racism. My training began with a Bachelor’s in Social Worker from the University of Cincinnati, and ended with a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

I have worked with young people and their families with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, academic, and social needs. I bring a multiculturally-aware, strengths-based approach to therapy and common work with individuals on the neurodivergence spectrum, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, diagnoses of Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder, anxiety, depression, Pathological Demand Avoidance, learning disabilities, gender and sexuality, and parent support and coaching.

Life comes with challenges—whether it's day-to-day anxiety, work stress, seasonal changes in mood, grief, or major life transitions. Having a strong support system can make all the difference, and sometimes an unbiased, compassionate person to talk to is exactly what you need. Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, and while we haven't met yet, I'm glad you're taking this step.

I've been a healthcare social worker for nearly 10 years, supporting children, teens, adults, and families through life transitions, grief, serious illness, and challenging hospital experiences. These experiences have reinforced my belief that everyone deserves a space where they feel heard, understood, and supported.

Growing up, my family didn't talk much about emotions or healthy ways to cope. That experience sparked my passion for helping others build self-awareness, resilience, and confidence in navigating life's ups and downs.

My goal is to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental space where you can be yourself, explore what's bringing you to therapy, and work toward meaningful, lasting change—at your own pace.

I am a clinical psychologist driven by a deep sense of empathy and a genuine curiosity about human behavior and the motivations that shape our lives. I strive to create a space where clients feel truly seen, heard, and understood without judgment. My approach is grounded in authenticity, both in how I show up and in how I support others in reconnecting with their own genuine selves. I believe that meaningful change begins with understanding, and I am committed to walking alongside each person as they explore their experiences, build insight, and move toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with clinical experience since 2019 across private practice, healthcare, and specialized care for older adults, couples, and families. I specialize in working with neurodivergent clients, LGBTQIA+ individuals, , and older adults.

Every session I conduct is rooted in trauma-informed care and a commitment to meeting you where you are. Incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI),Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I offer a holistic and flexible approach to help you develop effective coping mechanisms, strengthen relationships, and achieve your personal goals.