At a glance
Who Am I?
Hello! I’m John (he/they), a Licensed Social Worker who works with teens and adults. If life feels heavy, I’d love to help you grow stronger or make things lighter. I’ll meet you exactly where you are, without judgment, and walk alongside you as you figure out where you want to go.
I specialize in working with:
- Teens and adults with anxiety and depression
- Queer and neurodivergent folks
- People-pleasing and boundary-setting
- PTSD and trauma
How I help
One of the most important things I can offer is a space where you’re comfortable being yourself. You’re free to show up messy, complicated, and honest, because that’s where real growth begins. From there, we’ll explore your relationship with yourself and your environment to see what works and what doesn’t, try new things, work through setbacks, and celebrate your growth. I use a mix of CBT, ACT, psychodynamics, and a liberation framework together with an emphasis on mindfulness for a holistic approach. These tools are helpful for those who are looking to process depression, anxiety, and trauma.
What a session with me is like
You’ll probably notice I always have hot tea with me. I can’t get enough. I fill my space with small things that keep me comfortable, and I encourage you to do the same, so stretch, fidget, or snack, whatever you need. It’s easier to work through challenges when you’re comfortable. Early on I’m very curious and want to know all about you and your environment. Then we will collaborate on goals and discuss how we’ll reach them. From there, we can add more or less structure, depending on your needs.
What I believe
The intersection of our identities, culture, and background is inseparable from our mental health, and good therapy explores that. Every person is worthy of empathy, compassion, and respect. Therapy has a reputation for being somber, and it can be, but it’s much more too: serious and playful, happy and sad, energizing and exhausting. Come as you are, because there’s no “right” way to be in therapy.
A little more about me
If you spot me on the train, I’m probably scrolling Wikipedia to learn how world history shaped our present. That curiosity leads me to foods from all over the world, which I love making in my kitchen. I’ve played Dungeons & Dragons weekly for over 10 years and will talk your ear off about it if you let me. I also enjoy basketball, and you’re allowed to tease me for being very bad at it.
A few common questions
Are you accepting new clients?
Yes
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, I see clients virtually across Illinois, and in person at our Portage Park office.
What do you help with most?
Anxiety, depression, PTSD and trauma, boundaries and people-pleasing, and queer and neurodivergent-affirming support.
What insurance do you take?
BCBS PPO, BCBS HMO NorthShore, Optum, and Aetna.
- AetnaBCBS HMO NorthshoreBCBS PPOOptum/United
