Denice Spencer, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Availability and Scheduling:
Ms. Spencer offers telehealth appointments Monday through Friday and is currently accepting new clients. If her approach resonates with you, we'd love to help you get started! You can book your first appointment below.
You can explain exactly why you struggle to set boundaries, overthink conversations, or feel responsible for everyone else's emotions. You've spent time reflecting on your past, recognizing patterns, and maybe even working through them in therapy. But when someone is upset with you, a relationship becomes difficult, or life feels overwhelming, those familiar reactions come rushing back. Suddenly, all that understanding doesn't seem to make things any easier.
Perhaps you're navigating a relationship that leaves you questioning yourself, grieving a loss that others don't quite understand, or feeling exhausted from always being the person everyone depends on. Maybe you've spent so much time meeting other people's expectations that you're no longer sure what you need. Or you're beginning to notice how experiences from your childhood, family, or past relationships continue to shape the way you see yourself and connect with others.
I work with adults navigating anxiety, trauma, PTSD, grief, burnout, and relationship challenges, especially those who want to explore themselves beyond what they've already figured out. Together, we'll look at not only where these reactions come from, but how they show up in your emotions, relationships, and body. We'll get curious about what you've been carrying, how you've learned to cope, and what you might need now.
Trauma & Nervous System Work
You might know that a difficult conversation isn't a threat, but your chest still tightens when someone raises their voice. Or maybe you find yourself going quiet during conflict, even when there's so much you want to say. These reactions can be confusing, especially when you've already spent so much time trying to understand them.
That's where Somatic Experiencing comes in. It's a way of exploring the connection between your emotions and what you're feeling physically. Rather than trying to talk through or analyze everything, we might slow down and notice what's happening in your body. Maybe it's tension in your shoulders, a knot in your stomach, or a feeling you can't quite put into words. These small observations can help us better understand how you respond to stress, anxiety, and past experiences.
The important thing is that you're in charge of what we explore. I won't tell you what you're supposed to feel or guide you through a set of prescribed exercises. Instead, I'll ask questions, share observations, and follow your lead. Some moments might involve conversation, while others may be a little quieter, giving you time to notice what comes up. We don't have to figure everything out right away. We'll take our time and see what feels meaningful to you.
My Approach
You don't need to come into therapy with a perfectly organized explanation of what's bothering you. Maybe there's a relationship you keep thinking about, a feeling you can't quite explain, or something from your past that still affects you. We can start there, with whatever feels important to you.
Some sessions might involve talking through a difficult relationship or experience, while others may include slowing down, noticing an emotion, or sitting with a moment of silence. When practical strategies would be helpful, I also draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
I don't believe therapy is about me having all the answers. I'll bring curiosity, observations, and guidance while giving you room to explore your own experiences. My hope is that our work helps you better understand yourself, recognize what you need, and feel more confident making choices that work for you.
More About Me
I've always been interested in the different ways people express what they're going through, especially when words don't quite capture the experience. Before becoming a therapist, I spent many years working as an artist, and that curiosity about self-expression continues to shape how I approach therapy today.
I've also completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training and spent years working in community mental health. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for the connection between our minds and bodies, as well as the different ways we process emotions and make sense of our experiences.
I bring that perspective into my work, along with a genuine curiosity about the people I meet. I value conversations that take unexpected turns, questions that don't have immediate answers, and moments when something begins to make sense in a new way. Whether we're talking through an experience or taking a moment to notice what's happening beneath the surface, I want our work to feel thoughtful, collaborative, and true to you.
THERAPIST SPECIALTIES
Trauma & PTSD
Anxiety & Overthinking
Depression
Relationships & Attachment Patterns
Somatic Therapy & Nervous System Regulation
Family of Origin & Childhood Experiences
Identity & Belonging
Client focus
Adults
Women
Therapists / Helping Professionals
Creatives
People Navigating Life Transitions
People with Complex Family Histories
People Exploring Identity and Belonging
Location
Telehealth (IL)
Insurance Accepted
Aetna
BCBS PPO
Blue Choice PPO
United Healthcare/Optum
Licensure
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Illinois
Education
M.A., Counseling Psychology (Art Therapy concentration), Adler University, 2014
MFA, Ceramics/Mixed Media Installation, The University of Memphis, 2010
BFA, Painting and Ceramics, Memphis College of Art, 2006
Building Resilience Through Somatic Experiencing
Denice uses Somatic Experiencing to help clients slow down and become more aware of what their bodies are communicating. Rather than requiring you to extensively revisit difficult experiences, her approach focuses on noticing sensations and emotions in the present moment, helping you build greater awareness, resilience, and capacity to navigate stress.
Getting Curious About What Your Body Is Telling You
What happens when, instead of pushing an uncomfortable feeling away, you slow down and get curious about it? Denice helps clients explore sensations, emotions, and the ways experiences show up in the body. Through gentle questions and mindful attention, she creates space to understand your internal experience with greater depth and awareness.

