Allie Cromer, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Pronouns: she/her
Email: acromer@balancedawakening.com
Direct: 630-277-9066

accepting new clients

Availability and Scheduling:

Ms. Cromer sees clients online over video (telehealth) Monday through Friday. She also sees clients in-person at our Lakeview location Monday through Thursday. Ms. Cromer has availability for new clients. If you’re interested in working with her, you can book an appointment below!

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your thoughts, or just not quite like yourself lately, you’re not alone. You might not have the words for what’s going on, and that’s completely okay. You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin. My role is to meet you exactly where you are and help you sort through what you’re experiencing at a pace that feels right for you.

I work with young adults and adults navigating anxiety, grief, trauma, chronic illness, ADHD, and life transitions. Together, we begin to gently make sense of what you’re carrying so you can feel more grounded, more present, and more like yourself again. Therapy with me is a space where you don’t have to rush, explain everything perfectly, or have a clear starting point - you just get to show up as you are.

You don’t have to navigate this on your own. If you’re looking for a space that feels supportive, grounding, and genuinely yours, I’d love to connect. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply ready for something to shift, we can take that first step together - at your pace.

Grief

Grief doesn’t only come from losing a loved one. It can show up in breakups, identity shifts, chronic illness, or when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected. However it shows up for you, your experience is valid. In our work together, there’s no pressure to “move on” or make everything make sense right away. Instead, we create space for your grief to exist while also helping you find a way forward that still honors what you’ve been through. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting - it means learning how to carry your story with more support and self-compassion.

Trauma

When it comes to trauma, especially relational trauma, we look at how past experiences may be shaping your current relationships and sense of self. You might notice patterns like people-pleasing, difficulty trusting others, emotional shutdown, or feeling constantly on edge. Together, we’ll explore how these patterns developed and how they’re showing up in your life now. From there, we begin building a stronger sense of internal safety and self-trust, which allows you to shift what’s no longer serving you, set boundaries in ways that feel realistic, and create more genuine, fulfilling relationships.

Anxiety

Anxiety can feel like your mind and body are always scanning for what might go wrong. It’s exhausting to live in that constant state of alertness. In our work, we focus on helping you move from just getting through each day to actually feeling more present in your life. You’ll begin to understand your nervous system and why your responses show up the way they do, while also learning tools that support both your thoughts and your body. Over time, you can start to feel more calm, more in control, and more grounded in your day-to-day life.

My Approach

Our work together will be deeply values-centered. I utilize a blend of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness to help you stay grounded in the present moment while also moving toward what matters most to you. This means we’re not just focusing on reducing symptoms, but also on helping you build a life that feels meaningful and aligned with who you are.

Together, we’ll explore your thought patterns, emotional responses, and behaviors with curiosity rather than judgment. We’ll look at what’s been working, what hasn’t, and how your experiences have shaped the way you move through the world. From there, we can begin to gently shift patterns that no longer serve you while strengthening the ones that support your well-being.

By integrating these tools with your core beliefs and values, our focus is on creating meaningful, realistic change—change that feels sustainable, not forced. Over time, this work can help you feel more connected to yourself, more resilient in the face of challenges, and more confident in making choices that align with the life you want to live.

Experience

I bring experience supporting adults and emerging adults through grief, anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, and other life challenges. My work in private practice has centered on providing trauma informed, compassionate care that helps clients feel understood, supported, and empowered as they move toward healing. I also have experience in crisis counseling and advocacy, including supporting survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence, which deepens my ability to sit with clients through painful, complex experiences with care and steadiness. My approach is grounded in evidence based practices, and shaped by a strong belief in each individual’s resilience and capacity for growth.

THERAPIST SPECIALITIES

  • Grief

  • Trauma

  • Anxiety

  • Life Transitions

  • Self Esteem

  • Identity Exploration

  • Chronic Illness

  • Attachment Issues & Exploration

Client focus

  • College/Emerging Adults

  • Adults

Location

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna

  • BCBS PPO

  • Blue Choice PPO

  • United Healthcare/Optum

Licensure

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker, IL, 149.031312

Education

  • Master of Social Work, University of Michigan, 2023

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and History, University of Michigan, 2021