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Schedule your first appointment. For follow up appointments (existing clients), please contact your therapist at 773-774-4444.
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Hi! I’m Alyx (they/ them). I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and therapist who works with adults, adolescents, families, and groups. Before becoming a clinician, I worked in research, non-profit program development, and community outreach and resource counseling in a variety of behavioral health, education, healthcare settings around the US and internationally. Some of my identities include genderfluid, queer, and white/European.
Overall, my practice is most informed by Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. It blends elements of CBT, mindfulness, DBT, and psychodynamic principles in a flexible way that can be applied to everything from ADHD/ executive functioning support, to relationship struggles, to anxiety management and more. I also incorporate experiential activities such as creative arts, movement, body attunement, play, writing, and interactions with nature– because not everything can be talked through or intellectualized! I am also currently learning to apply Internal Family Systems and foundations of EMDR. I believe there is no “one size fits all” approach– each client has their own unique needs– so I am always looking for ways to expand my techniques and perspectives.
I take a holistic, curious, and respectful approach that prioritizes authenticity and focuses on strengths (we all have strengths, even when things are rough). I aim to connect with clients in a way that affirms and encourages exploration of intersecting identities, recognizes the contexts influencing their lives– including trauma, structural inequities, culture, and values–, and seeks opportunities to build connection to resources and community support. I am passionate about helping people learn how their minds and bodies work so they can feel empowered to use skills and perspectives practiced in therapy independently with their own adaptations. I have found that shame drives many of our more difficult emotions and behaviors, so I encourage smashing taboos open– at a manageable pace– by talking about all the messy, “weird” stuff (often it’s not as weird as you might think!).
Therapists might have specialised knowledge and training, but clients are experts on their own life and experience, regardless of age, ability, or educational background. We are here to collaborate with each other, not control.
Often, we cause ourselves the most pain and confusion by fighting or avoiding our challenging feelings and thoughts. Accepting them without getting derailed by them is one of the hardest and most meaningful skills we can learn.
Practice authenticity and genuineness. For me this includes owning mistakes, making space to address difficult truths, and sometimes just acknowledging how ridiculous life can be.
At your first visit, we will spend time getting to know each other. I understand that it can take time to get comfortable sharing openly. I encourage you to ask questions, give feedback, talk about whatever is meaningful to you, share about what you’ve been listening to/ reading/ watching, or simply have some quiet space. Once you are ready to dig in, expect challenging questions and homework to help move through whatever is keeping you stuck. I will not push you beyond your capacity– but I might nudge you to find that your true capacity is greater than you realized.
Whether we meet in person or online, I cultivate a comfortable and informal vibe. At times you may find me bringing in vivid metaphors and analogies, activities that might seem goofy but have a purpose, fidgets, and irreverent (but appropriate) humor. I encourage you to bring in your own ideas– this is a space to be unmasked. All of you is welcome.
I completed my masters in social work at the University of Chicago. I am trained as a yoga teacher and try to bring the mind-body connection to all areas of life. I draw energy and peace from being outside; access to the lake and forest preserves are one of my favorite things about the Chicago area. I love music and going to concerts, reading, and making art (even when I’m not “good” at it). I’m a pawrent to 3 cats and a team caregiver to several wonderful humans and other animals. Before calling Chicago home, I’ve lived and worked all over – in Philadelphia, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, Mumbai, and Singapore – and each place has helped shape me in its own way.
Schedule your first appointment. For follow up appointments (existing clients), please contact your therapist at 773-774-4444.