At a glance
Best fit for: Trauma, PTSD, c-PTSD, LGBTQIA+, creatives, neurodivergent folks, other therapists, deep thinkers, complex presentations, poly/ENM, adults and couples/relationships.
Approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), the Gottman Method, Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience (DARe), Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Who Am I?
Hello! I’m Nikki. I’m a therapist who works with adults, especially creative folks, trauma survivors, relationships, and the LGBTQIA+ community. I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who works with adults, especially creative folks, trauma survivors, relationships, and the LGBTQIA+ community. I’m also a cisgender queer neurodivergent white half-Jewish GenX woman. Let’s figure some stuff out so you can live your life again. Whether it’s repetitive thought patterns, relationship struggles, haunting memories, or overwhelming emotions, I’m ready to help you get un-stuck.
I specialize in working with:
- Creative folks
- Trauma survivors
- The LGBTQIA+ community
- Neurodivergent people
- Other therapists
- Couples
- Polyamorous/ENM/CNM relationships
How I help
It starts with our relationship, because therapy is a healing relationship. I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can be your whole self, and I’m inquisitive, direct, and supportive. I’ll help you find new ways to hold your thoughts and feelings so you don’t get stuck in them, and I’ll help you process old trauma so it stops pulling you out of your life. For couples, I help you learn to talk to each other effectively and solve your own problems. My approaches include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the Gottman Method, Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience, and Internal Family Systems, all delivered with warmth and humor. Expect empathy, direct feedback, and some laughter to sweeten the tears.
What a session with me is like
First, get comfortable, because change requires discomfort, so we may as well be physically comfortable while we do it. Then I’ll want to know what’s showing up for you in the moment, and we’ll work with that. I’ll probably make a deadpan wisecrack or two. Couples sessions are more structured, with some basic rules of engagement to practice. One-on-one, we might do structured exercises, but often we just talk things out and you may not realize you’ve gotten some therapy. I’ll give you skills or experiments to practice between sessions, because I want you in charge of the change. On my work-from-home days, at least one of my cats will make an appearance.
What I believe
I believe that you already have the answers you need; it’s just a matter of us uncovering them together. I believe that therapy is political, and it’s not my job to help people adjust to being oppressed. I believe in my responsibility to be transparent about what’s happening under the hood in treatment and the realities of navigating the medical system. I believe it’s fundamentally unfair that trauma, which you didn’t ask for, leaves you with the clean-up work. I believe that love is unconditional and relationships aren’t; compassion without boundaries is self-immolation. I believe in helping you get to a place where you don’t need me anymore, and still have the safety of our relationship to come back when you need a tune-up.
I believe that narratives and metaphors are powerful ways to learn. I believe in the Oxford comma, art that reaches bone-deep, self-compassion, multiple avenues of meaning-making, Han Solo shooting first, evidence-based methods, over-the-top sparkle, clapping to save Tinkerbell, resilience through connection, post-traumatic growth, everyday heroes, breaking the fourth wall, and that a seemingly ordinary life can be extraordinary. I believe – and respect — that you’re doing the hard work while I coach from the sidelines.
A little more about me
I got my BA in English and Philosophy from Lake Forest College, spent ten years in corporate America, then left to work at a yoga studio and finish my MA in Counseling Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I was born and raised in Chicago and I love this city. I’m a yogi, foodie, animal lover, and out-and-proud queer woman. In my free time I do geeky things, hang out with my friends and cats, practice yoga or Pilates, write, read, cook, go to restaurants and classes, see movies or plays, craft, and get tattoos.
A few common questions
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, I see clients virtually across Illinois, and in person at our Edison Park office.
What do you help with most?
Trauma, LGBTQ+ affirming care, relationships and couples work, and support for creative folks.
What insurance do you take?
BCBS PPO, Northshore HMO, Optum, Cigna, and Aetna.
- AetnaBCBS PPOCignaEndeavor/Northshore HMOOptum/United
