Obsessive-compulsive disorder therapists & psychiatrists in Illinois

I believe people deserve to feel understood before they’re asked to change. My approach to therapy is direct and collaborative. I work primarily with men and couples who feel stuck in patterns of conflict, disconnection, defensiveness, or shutting down, and want to better understand themselves and the people they care about.

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.

With more than 30 years of experience, I've helped individuals navigate anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and life's many transitions with compassion, understanding, and practical support.

I know reaching out for help isn't always easy. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel heard, supported, and empowered to move toward greater confidence, healing, and peace of mind.

I’m Emily, a licensed psychotherapist and Clinical Social Worker with a specialization in healthcare from Aurora University. I have extensive experience across various levels of care—including inpatient psychiatric settings, residential treatment, PHP/IOP, and community mental health—I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals facing co-occurring disorders, addiction, eating disorders, and trauma.

Through my work with complex cases, I have observed that many challenges are deeply rooted in trauma and systemic issues.

I trained in medicine before I became a therapist, and it changed what I listen for. When a client tells me her chest tightens before every meeting, or that she can't stop thinking about a diagnosis, I take the physical side of that seriously.

I hold a PhD in health psychology and I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and Florida. My published research is on post-traumatic growth in women. Since 2020 I've also taught graduate counseling and psychology as an adjunct professor.

I see adults dealing with trauma and complex trauma, chronic illness, health anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions. I work with women through perinatal and postpartum struggles and through fertility challenges. I also see adolescents.

I speak English, Hindi, Arabic, and Urdu. If you're dealing with immigration, acculturation, or family expectations that don't translate easily, you won't have to explain that context to me first.

Sometimes you can look like you're holding everything together while quietly feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or exhausted. You may spend so much energy taking care of work, family, or everyone around you that there's very little left for yourself. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, panic, trauma, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. My goal is to provide a warm, supportive space where you can slow down, better understand what's contributing to your stress, and build practical tools that help you feel calmer, more confident, and more connected to yourself.

Great to meet you!

As your therapist I strive to create a warm, safe, engaging space where we can explore your strengths and build a do-able plan to help get you through the tough spots. My primary goal is to collaborate with you and build a strong working relationship to best help you meet your goals. I am licensed to practice as a Therapist in Illinois and Wisconsin.

DIRECT AND TO THE POINT as well as on target for help client to reach their counseling goals

When stress starts to build, it can affect more than just your day-to-day life. It can impact your mood, your energy, and your relationships. I work with adults and couples who are navigating anxiety, depression, workplace stress, and burnout. Many of my clients are used to juggling responsibilities, caring for others, and pushing through difficult seasons until they realize they're no longer feeling like themselves. You might feel constantly overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, or like you can’t fully “turn off” your mind. At the same time, stress can begin to show up in your relationships through miscommunication, distance, or frustration, making it harder to feel connected and supported.