Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Oak Park, IL covered by Aetna

I believe that change and growth happen within a safe and secure relationship. I see symptoms as meaningful, often serving a deeper purpose, and I approach them with curiosity and compassion to help you explore what they may be trying to communicate.

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.

I offer a kind, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can show up exactly as you are. Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, emotionally drained, or unsure how to move forward. You may be dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship issues, or simply the weight of trying to hold everything together on your own. My goal is to help you feel safe, heard, and supported as we work through what is weighing on you. Therapy with me is about creating a space where you do not have to have all the answers right away - just a willingness to begin.

My name is Katie and I have been a counselor for 15 years. I specialize in relationship concerns, including dating and singleness, marriage, and divorce care. I also work with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety/panic, depression, ADHD, trauma-related concerns, and conflicts related to school, work and home.

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!

I believe therapy should be a safe, supportive space where clients can show up as they are. My approach is warm, holistic, and grounded in building genuine connection while helping clients explore their challenges, strengths, and goals. My background includes case management, program leadership, vocational rehabilitation, and supporting individuals through trauma, life transitions, recovery, and housing or employment-related stress. I work collaboratively with clients to help them feel seen, supported, and empowered toward healing, growth, and lasting change.