Family therapy and counseling in Rockford, IL

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years of experience, working with adults and couples in individual therapy. I draw from Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support clients facing ADHD, anxiety, depression, domestic violence, grief and loss, self injury, spirituality, substance use, and trauma or PTSD.

Often, struggles can become gateways to transformation. Many of the clients I work with are navigating low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, chronic stress, trauma, grief, or major life transitions that leave them feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. You may be experiencing racing thoughts, emotional exhaustion, relationship difficulties, loss, or uncertainty about your direction in life. When we begin to explore these experiences with compassion and curiosity, new perspectives and meaningful change can emerge.

I believe telling your story in a safe, supportive space can be deeply healing. I want to hear about your hopes, dreams, challenges, and losses. My goal is to help you better understand your experiences, develop emotional resilience, and move toward greater clarity and self-acceptance. You are not alone, and I am here to walk alongside you as you move forward on your journey toward healing and growth.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois with over 8 years of experience supporting individuals across the lifespan. I began my career as an Early Childhood Teacher which sparked my passion for helping others and transitioned to social work. I believe prioritizing mental health is essential to overall stability and well-being. I have experience working with children, adolescents adults and older adults who are managing PTSD, grief depression, anxiety and adjustment disorders.

A lot of men arrive in therapy through anger, because it is often the only feeling they were ever given permission to have. If that is you, or if the anxiety has been running underneath everything for years, or if something happened to you that you have never said out loud, you are in the right place. I'm Dr. Justin D. Gravely-Strayhorn, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I earned my Master of Social Work from Campbellsville University and my Doctor of Education from Liberty University. I work with adults on anxiety, depression, trauma, anger, relationships, and the particular weight men carry when they have been taught that handling it alone is the same thing as being strong. Culture is part of that conversation, not separate from it. What shaped you, what was expected of you, and what it costs to keep performing being fine all belong in the room. My approach combines evidence-based therapy with compassion, cultural awareness, and a holistic view of wellness. I believe growth happens when we feel seen, supported, and empowered to rewrite our stories.

I’m an Army veteran and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who is passionate about helping people feel understood, supported, and empowered. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from National Louis University in 2013 and my master’s degree in Social Work from Aurora University, earning my LSW in 2024 and LCSW in 2025. My experience includes working with veterans, children, teens, young adults, couples, and families across the Department of Veterans Affairs, Volunteers of America Illinois, residential treatment, and dual-diagnosis settings. I support clients navigating trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, and life transitions, including individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community.

If you're functioning on the outside but privately exhausted, stuck, or carrying more than you've let on, you're in the right place. I work with adults, many in the LGBTQIA+ community, navigating trauma, grief, relationship strain, and major life transitions. A lot of my clients come in saying, "I know what my patterns are. I just can't seem to change them." That's exactly where we start. Together, we'll get underneath what's keeping you stuck and build a path forward that actually fits your life.

If you've been carrying the weight of trauma, grief, or anxiety for longer than you can remember, you're not alone.

I've spent 12 years as a licensed counselor in Chicago working with people of all ages, from young children to seniors. What keeps me in this work is the moment a client realizes they've been surviving something hard, and that there's a different way forward.

I have a particular passion for working with mothers navigating postpartum struggles, families dealing with grief and loss, and adults working through trauma and PTSD. Many of my clients were looking for someone who would be real with them, not just professional. That's what you'll find here.

I believe therapy is a safe space where clients feel heard and accepted for who they are. I approach clients with compassion, understanding, and without judgement. I recognize that everyone has unique experiences, needs, goals, and strengths. For me, building a genuine and trusting relationship is an important part of the therapeutic process. I want my clients to feel that they can be open and honest while knowing that I’m there to support them. I see therapy as a collaborative process, where we work together to identify goals, explore challenges, and find tools and strategies that can make life feel more manageable.

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.