At a glance
Who Am I?
Hey! I’m River. I’ve been working with young folx since I was in high school and I absolutely love it. They’re sarcastic and so over adults, but they tolerate my corny interests, have the courage to call me out, and live their truth. I’ve been in the social justice game pretty much since I realized racism existed, so be prepared, because I’m going to talk about white supremacy and the ways it shows up in our lives, bodies, and minds. One of my favorite animals is the bear, which is fitting, because I’m a bear about self-validation and self-compassion, since we can’t shame ourselves into self-improvement.
I specialize in working with:
- 7-24 year-olds struggling with being a young person in an adult-centered world
- Trans and gender-nonconforming folks on their journey to aligning with themselves
- Black and brown folks navigating a white supremacist society
- All the depression, anxiety, trauma, and neurodivergence that comes with those experiences
How I help
There are a lot of oppressive forces swirling around young folks. When you come into my space, you get a lot of choice and the power to say no. I’m not your parent or your teacher, I’m your cheerleader and your guide. Therapy is an active and collaborative process. My goal is to help name your strengths and figure out how you can use them to move forward. To do that, I’m gonna use every approach I’ve got in my pocket and you get to decide what stays and what goes.
What a session with me is like
We’re gonna quest and side quest. What’s in our minds is complex, so we’ll use tools like drawing, metaphors, and media to communicate. Storytelling is key, so count on telling and hearing stories. Silence matters too, so we’ll sit in it from time to time (sometimes awkwardly). Laughter is healing, so we’ll look for humor anywhere we can. I’m not big on sitting still, so we might listen to music, play games, or draw.
What I believe
A little more about me
As my name suggests, I love the water: swimming, splashing, the beach, kayaking, skipping stones, and more. I love all things nature. I’m also a movie buff, an arts-and-crafter, and a lifelong learner, and like a true Taurus, I’m deeply and luxuriously into rest and relaxation.
A few common questions
Do you offer virtual sessions?
Yes, I see clients virtually across Illinois, and in person at our Forest Park office.
Do you speak any languages besides English?
I speak English, Telugu, and some Spanish.
What do you help with most?
Identity and gender exploration, anxiety, depression, trauma, and neurodivergence, especially for teens and young adults.
What insurance do you take?
Aetna, BCBS PPO, Cigna, Northshore, and Optum.
- AetnaBCBS PPOCignaNorthshoreOptum/United
