Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Springfield, IL

My name is Lauren Dircks, and I have been supporting people for 3 years through a variety of challenges. I have a masters degree in Social Work and am a fully licensed social worker. I help those working through anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship challenges, postpartum depression, life adjustments, and much more. I specialize in working with those 13 years and older.

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.

My style is eclectic and strength based. I see human nature as intrinsically good. Sigmund Freud said we are bio-social animals. I believe a great deal in listening to one’s self talk. The more positive our dialogue with ourselves is, the more positive our dialogues with others and our lives are. I’m also experienced in CBT, DBT, MI, Solution Focused, ACT, Gestalt, Interpersonal, and person-centered counseling.

My training includes lots of wonderful supervision and workshops, a three-year certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Chicago, and two one month intensives with Virginia Satir, the founder of family therapy. Virginia taught that exploring the self is like mining gold. We all have gold inside of us. That is our basic goodness. A lot of emotional suffering is the result of being detoured from that basic goodness.

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.

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.

Life can be messy, confusing, and exhausting—and you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m a realist therapist who listens deeply and meets you where you are. I blend evidence-based tools with real-world conversations to help you feel understood while learning how to cope, heal, and grow. If you’re feeling anxious, burned out, stuck in grief, challenged with life transitions or caught in old patterns—and ready for meaningful change at your own pace—I’m here to help. Let’s figure this out together.

Hello, my name is Antonio C. Ellzey, Sr., MS, LCPC, NCC. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor with more than 20 years of experience providing compassionate, evidence-based counseling services to individuals, couples, families, veterans, and adolescents. My professional background includes work in outpatient mental health, residential treatment, foster care, trauma-informed care, and telehealth counseling services.

I earned both my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Master of Science in Community Counseling from Eastern Illinois University and am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision at Walden University.

My counseling approach is rooted in authenticity, empathy, and unconditional positive regard. I specialize in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), PTSD and trauma treatment, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, relationship concerns, anger management, emotional regulation, and substance abuse education. I am passionate about helping clients build resilience, improve emotional wellness, strengthen relationships, and develop healthy coping strategies to navigate life’s challenges successfully.

I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel empowered to heal, grow, and achieve meaningful personal transformation.

I support those navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress management challenges, including panic disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disorders. I work with individuals experiencing grief and bereavement, end of life issues, infertility, chronic conditions such as diabetes, and other health-related disabilities that impact emotional well-being.