Grief counselors and therapists in Downers Grove, IL

Thank you for taking the first step in sharing your story—your Mental Health Matters, and you deserve to be heard, supported, and understood.

Welcome to Integrated Family Behavioral Health & Counseling PLLC! I'm Mihaela Vladu, PMHNP-BC, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over 16+ years of experience in healthcare, dedicated to helping individuals achieve lasting mental wellness and regain control of their lives.

I provide compassionate, personalized, and evidence-based care in a safe and supportive environment where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered. My approach focuses on treating the whole person—not just symptoms—while working collaboratively with you to reach your goals.

I specialize in working with a diverse range of individuals, including younger/older adults, children aged 6 and up, women dealing specifically with trauma and abuse, and veterans, as well as active-duty personnel experiencing PTSD. As a certified ADHD specialist, I provide targeted, evidence-based interventions to help individuals improve focus and daily functioning. I also have extensive experience treating bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, panic disorder, OCD, and other complex mental health conditions.

Areas of Expertise:

• Dual-Diagnosis Care (SUD + mood/anxiety​/​psychotic disorders)

• MAT: Buprenorphine​/​Suboxone inductions & maintenance; relapse-prevention planning

• Alcohol​/​Opioid Withdrawal & Detox protocols (court order MAT program, inpatient, outpatient, and halfway houses)

• Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis

• Residential​/​PHP​/​IOP programmed care & step-down planning

• Trauma-informed care, veteran populations, and complex comorbidity

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.

Hello, I’m Shelia Ransom Jenkins, MSW, LCSW, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience supporting adolescents, adults, couples, and families through life’s challenges. I offer a compassionate, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach to therapy, creating a safe space where individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered.

I hold a Master of Social Work and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and my professional background includes work in community mental health, educational settings, and clinical leadership roles. I have experience helping clients manage anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, relationship and family conflict, behavioral concerns, life transitions, and stress related to work, school, and personal growth. I also have specialized training in perinatal mental health, supporting individuals experiencing postpartum depression and related mood disorders.

My therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), trauma-informed care, and strengths-based interventions, tailored to each client’s unique needs and goals. I believe therapy is most effective when it is collaborative, practical, and rooted in trust.

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, navigating a difficult transition, or seeking deeper self-understanding, my goal is to support you with empathy, clarity, and encouragement as you work toward healing and lasting change.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with 28 years of experience partnering with adolescents, adults of all ages and families. I am bilingual so I offer therapy in english and spanish.

Life can be messy, confusing, and exhausting—and you don’t have to go through it alone. I’m a realist therapist who listens deeply and meets you where you are. I blend evidence-based tools with real-world conversations to help you feel understood while learning how to cope, heal, and grow. If you’re feeling anxious, burned out, stuck in grief, challenged with life transitions or caught in old patterns—and ready for meaningful change at your own pace—I’m here to help. Let’s figure this out together.

Starting therapy can feel overwhelming, but my goal is to create a safe, collaborative, and supportive space from our very first session—whether you come as an individual or as a couple.

My client-centered, trauma-informed approach means your stories, values, and goals shape the work we do together. I help teens, adults, and couples heal from past trauma, grief, addiction, navigate anxiety and depression, and build stronger, healthier relationships.

As a bilingual therapist (English and Spanish), I’m sensitive to the cultural and relational contexts that shape who you are and how you connect with others.

For clients who desire it, I can also integrate spiritual reflection into therapy, always honoring your level of comfort.

I’ve spent the last decade working with school-aged Chicagoans across the city, from the North Side to the South Side. I love the work because I get to grow and learn from the young people I support just as often as I offer them opportunities for their own growth.

Hi my name is Michele and I have been in the social work field for almost 11 years. I have my Masters in Social Work from Lewis University. I am licensed in Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and have certifications in treating Trauma, Shame Informed care and Anxiety disorders. I have a background in domestic violence and crisis intervention. I have worked at a Therapeutic day school and worked with adolescents who had an behavioral plan and/or a 504 plan or IEP. I have enjoyed working in Private Practice therapy for 7 years and working with many diverse populations and diagnoses. I also have worked in an Inpatient Behavioral Hospital doing individual therapy, case management, and facilitating family therapy sessions. Most recently I have been focusing on Trauma Informed care and specializing in anxiety orders. I work with primarily Military service members and their family members. Whether you are looking to manage big life stressors or small ones, low moods or regulate anxiety I am looking forward to helping you start this journey.

Hi, I’m Heather Lopez, LCSW. I help women, moms, and BIPOC professionals who are navigating anxiety, life changes, burnout, and the mental load of holding everything together. You might be the one everyone counts on—but lately, you’re wondering who’s checking on you.

Whether you’re adjusting to motherhood, working through family stress, or just trying to feel like yourself again, therapy can be a space to slow down and breathe. I work virtually with clients across Illinois. My style is warm, clinical, supportive, and down-to-earth (with the occasional well-placed joke). We'll explore your patterns, set real goals, and focus on healing in a way that actually feels useful in your daily life. I accept insurance and offer weekday sessions. If you're looking for a therapist who gets it and creates a judgment-free zone, let’s talk.

In addition to individual therapy, I offer a weekly 1-hour support group for moms experiencing overwhelm, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and difficulty adjusting to the demands of motherhood.

This group focuses on emotional regulation, stress management, and reducing feelings of isolation through supportive, structured group processing.

College and early adulthood can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I work with college students and young adults who are navigating academic pressure, shifting friendships, family expectations, dating, and big life decisions. You might look like you’re managing it all, but inside you feel anxious, unsure of yourself, or constantly comparing where you are to everyone else. Whether you’re struggling with burnout, identity questions, or just trying to figure out your next step, therapy can be a place to slow down and actually breathe.