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 via telehealth Monday through Friday and offers in-person sessions at our Lakeview location Monday through Thursday. She is currently accepting new clients! If you’re interested in working with her, you can schedule your first appointment below!
Do you ever look around and wonder how everyone else seems to have things figured out while you're just trying to keep up? Between school, work, relationships, and everyday responsibilities, you're doing your best, but it's hard to shake the feeling that you're falling behind. You might replay conversations, second-guess your decisions, or feel guilty putting your own needs first.
Sometimes there's more beneath the surface. Anxiety or ADHD might make everyday tasks harder to manage, past experiences may affect your relationships, or grief and changes in your health have left you questioning what comes next.
I especially enjoy working with college students, young adults, and women navigating identity, relationships, and life transitions. I also support teens (16+) and adults experiencing anxiety, ADHD, trauma, grief, chronic illness, and body image concerns.
You don't need to know exactly what to say or where to start. I bring curiosity, thoughtful questions, and a little humor when it feels right. We'll figure things out together, at a pace that works for you.
Grief & Loss
Sometimes the hardest losses are the ones other people don't even realize you're grieving.
Grief can come from losing someone you love, the end of a relationship, changes in your health, or letting go of a future you imagined. One day you might feel okay, only for something small to bring everything back. You may even feel guilty for enjoying yourself while you're still hurting.
I'm not here to find a silver lining or tell you when it's time to move on. I want to understand what this loss has meant to you, including the complicated feelings that come with it. Together, we'll explore how life has changed and what you need as you adjust, without losing sight of what still matters to you.
Trauma, Relationships & Sexual Assault Recovery
Have you ever wondered why you keep falling into the same relationship patterns, even when you know they're hurting you?
You might struggle to say no, feel responsible for other people's emotions, or shut down during conflict. These patterns can be connected to childhood experiences, unhealthy relationships, intimate partner violence, or sexual trauma.
I've supported survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence, and I understand that discussing these experiences isn't always easy. We'll move at your pace, making sense of how your past affects you today while working toward healthier boundaries, greater self-trust, and relationships that feel more comfortable.
Anxiety, ADHD, Overthinking & Burnout
You finally have a moment to relax, but your mind is already running through everything you haven't finished.
You're replaying conversations, worrying about what could go wrong, or struggling to focus on the task in front of you. When things pile up, it's easy to feel frustrated with yourself, especially when you're trying so hard to keep up.
I enjoy helping clients understand how anxiety and ADHD affect their confidence, relationships, and everyday lives. We'll explore what's contributing to these patterns and find practical ways to manage them without adding more pressure to your plate.
My Approach
Have you ever left a conversation knowing exactly what someone thinks you should do, but still feeling unsure about what's right for you?
That's not how I want therapy to feel. My style is casual, collaborative, and flexible. I'll follow your lead, offer direction when it's helpful, and gently challenge you to consider different perspectives. I want our sessions to feel like genuine conversations, not another place where you have to get everything right.
I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness. I'm especially interested in exploring your values, the expectations you've picked up along the way, and how they influence your choices.
Therapy doesn't need a rigid agenda or homework after every session. We'll find a balance between talking things through and developing useful tools, with the goal of helping you feel more confident in yourself and your decisions.
Experience
My experience includes supporting young adults and adults navigating anxiety, grief, trauma, chronic illness, and life transitions. I've also worked in crisis counseling and advocacy with survivors of sexual violence and intimate partner violence. That work has shaped how I approach therapy, particularly the importance of listening without assumptions, respecting each person's choices, and recognizing that everyone's needs are different.
THERAPIST SPECIALTIES
Anxiety, Overthinking & Burnout
ADHD
Grief & Loss
Trauma & Sexual Assault Recovery
Attachment & Relationship Challenges
Self-Esteem & Body Image
Chronic Illness & Caregiver Burnout
Identity Exploration & Life Transitions
Client focus
Teens (16+)
College & Graduate Students
Emerging & Young Adults
Adults
First-Time Therapy Seekers
Highly Sensitive Individuals
Location
Telehealth (IL)
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
Finding Your Way Back to What Matters Most
When life feels overwhelming, uncertain, or disconnected, Allie helps clients reconnect with the values that ground them. Drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness practices, she supports clients in understanding thought patterns, cultivating present-moment awareness, and making choices that align with the life they want to create.
Creating Space to Process and Be Yourself
Allie believes therapy should be a space where you can slow down, process your experiences, and show up exactly as you are. Her approach balances thoughtful guidance with flexibility, creating a collaborative environment where conversations can unfold naturally while still supporting meaningful growth and lasting change.

