Grief counselors and therapists in Peoria, IL

Hello, future client! I believe everyone wants to feel happy, healthy, and fulfilled—but sometimes life gets in the way. I'm here to help you recognize your strengths, work through challenges, and move toward the changes you want. I'm easy to talk to and aim to make therapy feel like that honest conversation you’ve been needing—supportive, real, and refreshing. Sessions are always tailored to your goals in a warm, welcoming space.

With over a decade of psychiatric nursing experience, I've built a practice around making people feel truly understood from the very first conversation. I'm fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, and I've found that meeting someone in their first language changes everything about how safe they feel opening up. I work with adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, substance use, and eating disorders, combining medication management with therapeutic support to care for the whole person. My practice is fully virtual, so you can access care from wherever feels most comfortable for you.

I offer a kind, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can show up exactly as you are. Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, emotionally drained, or unsure how to move forward. You may be dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship issues, or simply the weight of trying to hold everything together on your own. My goal is to help you feel safe, heard, and supported as we work through what is weighing on you. Therapy with me is about creating a space where you do not have to have all the answers right away - just a willingness to begin.

Sometimes talking about the past isn't enough—you want to stop feeling like it's still affecting your present.

Whether you're carrying the weight of a traumatic experience, feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, or struggling with anxiety, overwhelming emotions, or painful memories, healing is possible.

I'm Caroline, a therapist who works exclusively with adults (18+) and has a special passion for helping clients heal from trauma using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. With a decade of clinical experience, I believe that while our past experiences shape us, they don't have to define our future. My goal is to create a supportive, compassionate space where you can process difficult experiences, build resilience, and move forward with greater confidence and peace.

I have provided counseling services for over 20 years, helping clients work through trauma, PTSD, anxiety, panic, stress, family challenges, and women’s issues. I specialize in supporting people who feel stuck in painful memories, overwhelmed by anxiety, or disconnected from themselves after difficult life experiences. My approach is compassionate, non-judgmental, and deeply respectful of each person’s story. I believe healing often involves more than traditional talk therapy, which is why I incorporate approaches that support the mind, body, and spirit. I am an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and I use EMDR, somatic therapy, attachment-based therapy, interpersonal therapy, and other trauma-informed approaches to help clients move toward relief and healing. When we work together, you can expect a caring space where you are accepted as you are and supported at a pace that feels safe.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with children, teens, adults, and families. My background includes child welfare, foster care, residential treatment, aftercare, and behavioral health. I understand that people come to therapy carrying stress, grief, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, and life changes. My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where you feel heard, respected, and understood.

Hi my name is Michele and I have been in the social work field for almost 11 years. I have my Masters in Social Work from Lewis University. I am licensed in Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have certifications in treating Trauma, Shame Informed care and Anxiety disorders. I have a background in domestic violence and crisis intervention. I have worked at a Therapeutic day school and worked with adolescents who had an behavioral plan and/or a 504 plan or IEP. I have enjoyed working in Private Practice therapy for 7 years and working with many diverse populations and diagnoses. I also have worked in an Inpatient Behavioral Hospital doing individual therapy, case management, and facilitating family therapy sessions. Most recently I have been focusing on Trauma Informed care and specializing in anxiety orders. I work with primarily Military service members and their family members. Whether you are looking to manage big life stressors or small ones, low moods or regulate anxiety I am looking forward to helping you start this journey.

I am a clinically licensed therapist who works with teens and adults. I support clients who are dealing with anxiety, ADHD, depression, emotional regulation, relationship stress, life transitions, and self esteem concerns. I aim to create a space that feels warm, genuine, and safe. I believe therapy does not have to feel intimidating to be effective, and I often use appropriate humor to help clients feel more comfortable while doing meaningful work.

I approach therapy in a collaborative and compassionate way, creating a safe space where clients can feel supported as they explore their inner world. I believe that each client is the expert of their own life, and my role is to guide, support, and provide tools to help you connect with your strengths and insights. My work is trauma-informed and integrates a variety of techniques, including internal family systems, somatic methods, inner child work, strengths-based narratives, CBT, experiential approaches, and clinical hypnosis.

I’m Carlos Ruiz, a bilingual LCPC, psychotherapist, and Spiritual Director with graduate training in counseling and divinity. In my practice, I foster a safe, collaborative space where we can work together to help you move away from self-judgment and toward greater self-acceptance, curiosity, and meaningful connection. I work with individuals and couples navigating family issues, grief and loss, trauma, LGBTQ+ concerns, relationship and sexuality issues, transition struggles, anger management, and cross-cultural concerns. My hope is to help you discover the unreleased energy within you that can support healing, healthier living, and deeper connection with yourself and others.

I believe healing begins with feeling truly seen, heard, and understood. As a bilingual (English/Spanish) LCSW in Illinois, I work with individuals, couples, and families navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, grief, and life's bigger transitions. My approach is warm,

practical, and grounded in what the research says works. Whether you are carrying something heavy or simply ready for a change, I meet you where you are. I would love to

be part of your journey toward the life you want to build. Let's connect.

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read about my professional background.

I graduated with my bachelor's in social work in 2013 from MacMurray College in Jacksonville IL.

I furthered my education at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign School of Social Work and graduated with my Masters in SW in 2017.

I have gained 13 years of experience with the majority of those years spent in psychiatric facilities for children and adults.

I specialize in motivational interviewing, DBT, CBT, and a multitude of other treatment styles.

Hi, my name is Dr. Mark Aghakhan and I am a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in a variety of therapeutic, educative, consultative, and evaluative services. I utilize interventions that best match my client’s style and approach toward everyday challenges.

Ashley is an LCSW who has experience providing therapy to people living with severe and persistent mental illness, depression and anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and cancer. She utilizes elements of Relational Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral therapy in her approach and has provided direct client care since 2010.

Ashley obtained her M.S.W at UIC and has worked in community mental health both as a clinician providing therapy and as a leader supervising students pursuing their masters in counseling. She’s worked in healthcare providing counseling to those with cancer. Lastly, Ashley completed a two year Trauma Consultation Program at WomenCare to further her training.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years experience in leadership and direct care positions in behavioral health and substance abuse facilities, I remain dedicated to helping individuals respond to and cope with the challenges of life. These include living with anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship issues, parenting, or other life's stressors, as well as, the challenges of alcohol or drug abuse disorders. I have frequently witnessed, and believe, recovery is possible and I appreciate the opportuity to assist you in finding the hope, joy and happiness you deserve.