Change can bring up a lot, even when it's something you wanted. Maybe you're starting college, figuring out relationships, becoming more independent, or questioning what's next in your career. Maybe you've reached a milestone you worked hard for, but it doesn't feel the way you imagined. You thought you'd feel happier, more confident, or more certain about what's next, but instead, you're wondering what you actually want and whether the life you're building feels right for you.

I work with older teens (16+), young adults, and Gen Z and millennial women navigating anxiety, ADHD, relationships, identity, self-esteem, perfectionism, and life transitions. Maybe you're overthinking every decision, saying yes when you want to say no, struggling to manage your emotions, or feeling like everyone else has life figured out. You might be putting pressure on yourself to do everything right, feeling stuck in the same relationship patterns, or having a hard time figuring out what you need. It can be exhausting trying to meet everyone's expectations while figuring out your own.

Sometimes those expectations have been with you longer than you realize. Family dynamics, early relationships, and past experiences can shape how you see yourself, communicate your needs, handle conflict, and connect with others. Together, we can explore where those patterns come from, how they're showing up in your life today, and what you might want to do differently. We can also make space for questions about who you are, what matters to you, and what a fulfilling life looks like on your own terms.

And if this is your first time in therapy, it's okay to feel nervous or unsure about what to expect. You don't need to know exactly what to say or have everything figured out. My style is relaxed and conversational, and we'll start with whatever feels important to you and take it from there.

Pregnancy, Motherhood & Changing Identity

Thinking about starting a family can bring up a lot of questions, emotions, and decisions. Whether you're exploring what parenthood might look like, making plans to grow your family, navigating pregnancy, or adjusting to life as a new mom, I enjoy supporting women through the personal and emotional changes that come with these experiences.

You might be wondering if you're ready to become a parent, how having a baby could change your relationships or career, or what it means for the life you've built so far. And once you're a mom, you may love this new chapter while also missing parts of who you were before. It's possible to feel excited, overwhelmed, grateful, and uncertain all at once.

Therapy can be a place to talk openly about these feelings without worrying about how they sound. Together, we can explore your hopes, concerns, and changing priorities while making space for your own needs and identity, wherever you are in your journey toward parenthood.

My Approach

Therapy with me is collaborative, flexible, and centered around you. Some days we might talk through something that's been weighing on you, while other days we may explore relationships, past experiences, or patterns you've been noticing. You don't need to come in knowing exactly what to talk about. We'll start with what's on your mind and figure things out together.

I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), attachment-based and psychodynamic approaches, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused Therapy, and person-centered therapy. Depending on your needs, we might practice how to approach a difficult conversation, find ways to manage overwhelming emotions, build routines that work with your ADHD, or explore why setting boundaries feels so hard. We may also look at how family dynamics and earlier experiences influence the choices you make and the relationships you have today.

My style is relaxed and conversational, with room for humor and honest conversations. I'll ask questions, offer different perspectives, and gently challenge you when it feels helpful. Whether we're talking something through, practicing a new skill, or simply making sense of what you're feeling, I want you to leave with something you can carry into your everyday life.

Experience

My clinical experience includes working with children, teens, adults, couples, and families across Chicago Public Schools, outpatient and intensive outpatient programs, and private practice. Working with people across different ages, backgrounds, and stages of life has given me a deeper understanding of how our relationships, family dynamics, and earlier experiences shape the way we see ourselves and connect with others.

These experiences have also taught me that everyone's needs are different, and there isn't one approach to therapy that works for everyone. I bring that perspective into my work today, taking the time to understand your individual experiences, what matters to you, and the kind of support that feels most helpful.

Licensure

As a Clinical Fellow, I am working toward obtaining my clinical license (LCSW) through ongoing clinical experience, supervision, and professional development. I continue to participate in training and education to strengthen my skills, deepen my knowledge, and bring new perspectives into my work with clients. I practice under the supervision of Andrea Espinosa, LCSW.