Brenna Wells, MA
Clinical Fellow
Availability and Scheduling:
Ms. Wells offers telehealth appointments Monday through Friday. She also sees clients in person at our Lakeview location (4043 N Ravenswood) on Mondays and Thursdays. Ms. Wells is currently accepting new clients. If you’re interested in working with her, you can book an appointment below!
You are the expert on your own life, and I see my role as a supportive partner in helping you navigate it.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, struggling in your relationships, going through a period of change, or simply feeling stuck, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I view therapy as a collaborative process built on care, curiosity, and trust. My role is to walk alongside you, offering support, perspective, and guidance as we work toward your goals. Together, we’ll explore what’s been going on, better understand the patterns that may no longer be serving you, and build on the strengths you already have.
I especially enjoy working with children, adolescents, young adults, and women through the many changes that come with growing up and finding your way. For children and teens, that might look like navigating anxiety, big emotions, friendships, family relationships, school stress, self-esteem, or simply needing a safe place to talk and feel understood. As a parent, you may know your child is struggling but aren’t quite sure what they need or how to help. Therapy can give them a space of their own to better understand what they’re feeling, build confidence, and develop tools that can support them as they grow.
For teens and young adults, therapy can also be a place to slow down and figure out who you are and what matters most to you. Whether you’re adjusting to high school or college, navigating changing friendships and relationships, starting your career, building confidence, or questioning your next step, we can make space for all of it.
My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more confident in yourself, more connected to your values, and better equipped to navigate life's challenges with greater self-compassion. Above all, I want therapy to be a place where you feel heard, supported, and empowered to make decisions that feel authentic to you. Wherever you are in your journey, I'd be honored to walk alongside you.
My Approach
My approach is collaborative, flexible, and shaped around what works for you. I don’t want therapy to feel like another place where you’re being given an assignment or told what you’re supposed to focus on. I often begin sessions by asking, “What’s most top of mind for you today?” From there, we’ll decide together what feels most helpful. Some days we’ll process something difficult. Other days we might explore your values, strengthen communication, build practical coping skills, or incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness practices, tailoring our work to your individual needs and goals.
My hope is that you leave therapy feeling more confident in yourself, more connected to who you are, and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges with greater self-compassion. Above all, I want therapy to be a place where you feel heard, supported, and comfortable showing up as yourself. Wherever you are in your journey, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
Experience
I earned my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. During my graduate training, I completed my clinical internship at Clarity Clinic, where I provided individual counseling and facilitated therapeutic groups for adolescents and adults navigating a variety of mental health concerns.
Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked as a case manager at Thresholds and Journey Mental Health Center. These experiences deepened my understanding of the many factors that influence mental health and strengthened my commitment to providing compassionate, person-centered care. My background has given me experience supporting individuals through life transitions, emotional challenges, relationship concerns, and personal growth, while recognizing the resilience each person brings to the therapeutic process.
Licensure
I am a Clinical Fellow at Balanced Awakening, completing the final steps toward LCPC licensure. I have several years of clinical experience and I am currently accruing additional supervised practice to be eligible for the LCPC credential in Illinois. I am supervised by Zana Van Der Smissen, LCPC, PMH-C.
THERAPIST SPECIALITIES
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions & Adjustment
Self-Esteem & Identity Exploration
Emotional Regulation
Relationship & Friendship Challenges
Family Dynamics
Body Image & Self-Worth
Client focus
Children & Adolescents
Teens (16+)
Young Adults
Adults
Location
Telehealth (IL)
Insurance Accepted
Aetna
BCBS PPO
Blue Choice PPO
United Healthcare/Optum
Licensure
Supervised Clinical Fellow
Education
M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Adler University, 2026
B.A., Psychology (Criminal Justice), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2023
Therapy Doesn’t Have to Feel Like Another Assignment
After a long day of school, work, or simply navigating a lot of change, you may not always arrive at therapy ready to dive into something heavy. Brenna pays attention to what you need that day. Sometimes that means unpacking what’s been weighing on you. Other times, it might mean slowing down, getting grounded, or finding something that helps you feel a little more like yourself again.
When You Feel Stuck, We Can Look for the Choices
Sometimes feeling stuck isn’t about not knowing what you want. Stress, uncertainty, or a major transition can simply make it harder to see what comes next. Brenna helps you slow things down and look at what might be getting in the way. Rather than telling you what to do, she helps you reconnect with what you already know about yourself, consider the options in front of you, and figure out what feels right for you.
A Steady Space When Everything Is Changing
Starting a new school, leaving home, beginning college, navigating changing relationships, or figuring out what comes next can make life feel like it’s shifting all at once. Brenna gives you a consistent place to land in the middle of that change. You don’t have to come in knowing exactly what you need or have everything figured out. Sometimes it’s simply helpful to have a space to slow down, talk through what’s happening, and have someone alongside you as you find your footing.
