Grief counselors and therapists in Arlington Heights, IL

If you're feeling stretched thin—anxious, exhausted, or stuck in patterns you can't quite name—you don't have to keep pushing through it alone. I'm Risa, an LCSW with over 10 years of experience helping adults move from overwhelmed to grounded.

I work with people navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma and PTSD, grief, anger, relationship strain, identity questions, and difficult life transitions. Many of my clients look high-functioning on the outside while struggling underneath—racing thoughts, disrupted sleep, burnout, or a quiet sense that something needs to change.

Over my career I've supported clients in community mental health, geriatric care, veterans' health, and corrections—settings that taught me to meet people across very different circumstances without judgment. I earned my Master's in 2012 and have practiced ever since, with particular experience supporting women and the LGBTQIA+ and transgender community around identity, relationships, and self-worth.

Whatever brought you here, my aim is for you to feel understood from our very first conversation.

My interpersonal style can be described as warm, inquisitive and humorous. What I value most about therapy is unconditional positive regard for you as a client and also unconditional positive regard for myself. I also value self-care for myself and the clients I work with. Taking care of yourself is an in-depth process so you can be the best person you can be. Being aware of yourself and who you are will lead to positive outcomes and thriving as a person instead of stagnating. A favorite quote of mine is from Socrates: "An unexamined life is not worth living." As a counselor I have worked with people of many and varied backgrounds for nineteen years. I welcome the opportunity to get to know you and to work with you toward positive change and growth. My Master's degree is in Clinical Social Work, Aurora University, Aurora, Illinois. Clinical Social Work is another way of saying I help people who may be struggling with social anxiety, anxiety, panic attacks, feelings of hopelessness, sadness/not liking yourself, relational issues, identity issues and more. I look forward to getting to know you!

I exercise good self-care by enjoying working out, hiking in State and local parks, meeting up with friends for coffee, reading the classics, tatting, and making music on my hammered dulcimer.

I am committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and affirming environment where people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and life experiences feel respected and supported. My goal is to provide a safe place where you can be yourself, explore challenges openly, and discover your strengths. Together, we'll focus on meaningful growth, practical strategies, and helping you thrive on your own terms.

I did not stumble into this work — I chose it, and I choose it every day. I am Bianca Gist, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and Indiana.

I am also a former collegiate athlete, and that background shapes how I show up — I know what it feels like to carry a lot and still need someone genuinely in your corner. My experience is rooted in the spaces where people need the most and are often given the least — Chicago Public Schools, foster care, home-based services, and community mental health. Through my private practice, Her Sole Purpose LLC, I work with children, adolescents, student-athletes, and families using CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed care. I use what works for the person in front of me, not a one-size-fits-all approach. I work well with people navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and the weight of environments that were not built for them. Therapy with me is honest, grounded, and focused on what actually helps you move forward — not just cope.

If any of this resonates, I would love to connect.

My style is eclectic and strength based. I see human nature as intrinsically good. Sigmund Freud said we are bio-social animals. I believe a great deal in listening to one’s self talk. The more positive our dialogue with ourselves is, the more positive our dialogues with others and our lives are. I’m also experienced in CBT, DBT, MI, Solution Focused, ACT, Gestalt, Interpersonal, and person-centered counseling.

My training includes lots of wonderful supervision and workshops, a three-year certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Chicago, and two one month intensives with Virginia Satir, the founder of family therapy. Virginia taught that exploring the self is like mining gold. We all have gold inside of us. That is our basic goodness. A lot of emotional suffering is the result of being detoured from that basic goodness.

I’m A. Harvest, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Case Manager (CCM) with 21 years of experience in social work and behavioral health. My background spans outpatient mental health, integrated primary care, medical social work, rehabilitation, hospice, telehealth, group therapy, and leadership — much of it within the Veterans Health Administration, where I've had the privilege of serving veterans, military families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

As a wife, mother, caregiver, and healthcare professional myself, I understand what it feels like to carry multiple roles while trying to show up for everyone - including yourself. I bring both professional expertise and personal insight to my work, and I believe that combination matters. You'll find me warm, authentic, and genuinely invested in your well-being. I strive to create a space where you feel truly heard, respected, and never judged.

Hi, I'm Tierra Kinnard, LCSW, and founder of Step by Step Healing Services, LLC. With more than 16 years of experience in the mental health field, I am passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges with compassion, understanding, and evidence-based care. I believe healing begins in a space where you feel safe, heard, and accepted exactly as you are. I specialize in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Excoriation (Skin Picking Disorder), Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder), anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief and loss. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including members of the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. I understand the profound impact that mental health challenges can have on individuals, families, and relationships, and I am committed to helping clients build resilience, find relief, and create meaningful change

My name is Najm Zaman, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, heal from trauma, and build lasting resilience!

My professional journey spans over 15 years across clinical practice, healthcare operations, and community leadership. I hold both a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Adelphi University. Throughout my career, I have served in diverse roles—from supervising foster care programs to leading community-based non-profit organizations and wellness initiatives. This background allows me to understand my clients not just in isolation, but within the broader context of their environments, families, and communities.

While I work with a wide range of individuals, my primary areas of specialization include:

• Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorders
• Anxiety and Mood Management
• Life Transitions and Identity Development
• Youth, Young Adult, and Family Dynamics
• Relationships and Breakups

Making the decision to begin therapy is a meaningful step, and I am committed to creating a space where you feel safe, supported, and truly heard. With over 18 years of experience as a school social worker, I have had the privilege of helping children, adolescents, and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, understanding, and practical support. Throughout my career, I have worked with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, family conflict, grief, trauma, life transitions, school-related stress, low self-esteem, and difficulty managing emotions. I believe every person’s story is unique, and therapy should be tailored to your individual needs, strengths, and goals. My hope is to walk alongside you as you move toward growth, healing, and a more fulfilling life!