Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Illinois

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.

Building meaningful connections and providing care that fits real life is at the heart of my practice as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. I focus on anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and I am committed to creating a welcoming space for clients from all walks of life. Whether you are taking your first steps toward mental health support or continuing a longer journey, you will find a collaborative and open environment here. My practice is built around flexibility, accessibility, and a genuine desire to understand what you need to thrive.

I received my Master's in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2014. My clinical values are deeply rooted in the ethos of social work, which is that to understand any person, you must understand the context of their life. This includes your family of origin, socioeconomic status, any discrimination you face, and your religious or spiritual belief system. All of these parts of your life will be essential to bring into the therapy space to understand best what ails you and where we might find remedies within you and your community.

I believe one of the most courageous things you can do is begin to understand your own story.

My goal is to create a safe, grounded, and trusting space where you can begin your process of healing and growth. I work collaboratively with you to build a relationship that feels supportive, attuned, and meaningful—so you can explore what’s been weighing on you and move toward real, lasting change.

My work is rooted in supporting adults navigating trauma and its impact on emotional, relational, and day-to-day functioning. I use an individualized, evidence-based approach, integrating modalities such as CBT, DBT, ACT, and trauma-focused therapies to ensure your care is tailored specifically to you.

I have worked with individuals, families, and diverse populations across multiple settings, including private practice, hospitals, and community-based programs.

I earned my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with a concentration in Trauma and Crisis Intervention. Prior to this, I obtained my MD from Garyunis University in Benghazi, where I began my career as a psychiatrist, working in high-intensity and war-affected environments. That experience shaped my deep commitment to understanding trauma and the human capacity for resilience.

Since then, my work has expanded across different countries and clinical settings, including private practice, hospitals, and advocacy programs addressing domestic violence, sexual trauma, and gender-based violence.

What I value most in this work is witnessing your growth—supporting you in making sense of your experiences, reconnecting with yourself, and stepping into a more grounded, meaningful life.

My name is Nicole Washington, and while my full name is Catherine Nicole Washington, I’ve always gone by my middle name. (A fun fact: I didn’t even realize Catherine was my first name until kindergarten—I thought my mom was Catherine and my name was “Cole” because that’s what everyone called me!)

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with over 10 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling from Capella University, driven by a lifelong desire to help others—one that was deeply shaped by my own personal journey with mental health challenges. I believe healing is possible, not just because I’ve studied it, but because I’ve lived it.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including partial hospitalization programs, and I have experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults. My background also includes work with domestic violence survivors, DCFS-involved families, group therapy, and individuals navigating complex life transitions. Oh and I’m also a the spouse of a Veteran. Which gives me a unique perspective of the challenges that military family’s may encounter. These diverse experiences allow me to meet clients where they are—with compassion, understanding, and respect.

I bring over a decade of professional experience to therapy along with my own life experiences, empathy, understanding, and hopefully a little humor along the way.

While my license is as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I strive to live my own life as authentically and intentionally as I can as a parent, family member, and friend; and I bring those same values into the therapy room.

I believe every person has a story worth telling and deserves to feel heard without judgment. It is truly an honor to witness the strength and resilience my clients possess, and I never take for granted the trust they place in me by allowing me to be part of their journey.

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.

You might be feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, weighed down by depression, or carrying the impact of trauma or stress that feels hard to manage on your own. Maybe family challenges or past experiences are affecting your relationships, your confidence, or your ability to feel like yourself. When everything feels heavy or uncertain, it can be hard to know where to start. You don’t have to figure it out alone — therapy can be a place where you feel supported, understood, and able to finally exhale.

You might be carrying things you have never said out loud, especially if you have spent your life feeling like you had to explain or defend who you are before anyone would really listen. I work with young adults and adolescents, particularly those from BIPOC backgrounds, who are looking for a space where they do not have to translate themselves first. My approach is warm and direct, and I bring cultural responsiveness and faith sensitivity into our work because I believe healing should honor all of who you are, not just the parts that are easiest to talk about.

I have a doctorate degree in nursing from Maryville University St Louis, Missouri. I have clinical experience in mental health services of over ten years. I excel in psychiatric evaluation and medication management,enhancing patient well-being through expert care and cultural competent practices.