LGBT therapists in Saint Charles, IL

I did not stumble into this work — I chose it, and I choose it every day. I am Bianca Gist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and Indiana.

I am also a former collegiate athlete, and that background shapes how I show up — I know what it feels like to carry a lot and still need someone genuinely in your corner. My experience is rooted in the spaces where people need the most and are often given the least — Chicago Public Schools, foster care, home-based services, and community mental health. Through my private practice, Her Sole Purpose LLC, I work with children, adolescents, student-athletes, and families using CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care. I use what works for the person in front of me, not a one-size-fits-all approach. I work well with people navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and the weight of environments that were not built for them. Therapy with me is honest, grounded, and focused on what actually helps you move forward — not just cope.

If any of this resonates, I would love to connect.

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.

Hi, I'm Tania, and I'm so glad you're here. I work with adults ages 18 to 65 and seniors 65 and older navigating chronic health conditions, anxiety, and depression, along with grief, identity, and the ups and downs of illness or aging. I also welcome LGBTQ+ clients into a space built on warmth and acceptance. Wherever you're starting from, there's room for you here, and support is closer than you think.

I’m Annmarie O’Connell, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals through some of life’s toughest moments. My background is rooted in community mental health, where I’ve worked with people from all walks of life dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life transitions.

I’m also trained in Brainspotting, a powerful therapeutic technique that taps into the brain-body connection to help clients process and release deeply held emotional pain. This approach, along with my real-world experience, allows me to support clients in a holistic, meaningful way. My work is deeply personal to me—because I’ve experienced firsthand how life-changing therapy can be.

I'm Dr. Qianhui Zhang, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a PhD in Counseling Psychology and over 15 years of experience working with young adults, students, and professionals. My practice has been primarily centered on international students, immigrant communities, and BIPOC professionals — people who are often navigating not just personal struggles, but the compounding weight of cultural transition, systemic stress, and identity in a world that wasn't always built with them in mind. I specialize in trauma and PTSD, anxiety and depression, intergenerational and complex trauma, attachment and intimacy difficulties, and the particular pressures that come with high-functioning burnout. I also work with eating disorders, grief and loss, relationship issues, identity development, and psychedelic preparation and integration. I offer individual psychotherapy, group therapy, psychological evaluation (including immigration evaluations), and consultation and training for therapists and other professionals. I conduct sessions in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, and see clients in person in Chicago as well as via telehealth across 43 PsyPact states.

I have been practicing since 2012, after being clinically trained at Loyola University Chicago, where I spent extensive time working with both adolescents and adults.

I have been helping clients globally with a variety of issues in my core areas of expertise, including addiction, mood disorders, and identity issues.

I am also certified in Financial Social Work, bridging my passions for personal finance and emotional well-being.

My therapy room is a space where you don’t have to explain yourself. You can show up, fully and authentically, without the need to code-switch or justify your experiences. Our sessions are a dedicated time for you to be heard and understood without judgment.