

Navigating postpartum mental health in Oak Park is easier with Headway's network of 707 providers offering talk therapy and medication management. Many providers have immediate openings, and insurance coverage can reduce your session costs significantly.
I’m a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and mom of four with a passion for helping people feel balanced, understood, and supported. I earned my nursing degree from Chamberlain University in Chicago and completed my psychiatric graduate training at the University of Kentucky. I’ve been proudly serving patients as a PMHNP since 2022.
I provide care for children (6+), teens, and adults, including parents, professionals, students, and anyone navigating life transitions or emotional challenges. My focus areas include: ADHD, anxiety & panic, depression, bipolar disorders, trauma & PTSD, emotional dysregulation and impulsivity, sleep issues, and mood and behavior concerns in children/teens.
Often, struggles can become gateways to transformation. Many of the clients I work with are navigating low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, chronic stress, trauma, grief, or major life transitions that leave them feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected. You may be experiencing racing thoughts, emotional exhaustion, relationship difficulties, loss, or uncertainty about your direction in life. When we begin to explore these experiences with compassion and curiosity, new perspectives and meaningful change can emerge.
I believe telling your story in a safe, supportive space can be deeply healing. I want to hear about your hopes, dreams, challenges, and losses. My goal is to help you better understand your experiences, develop emotional resilience, and move toward greater clarity and self-acceptance. You are not alone, and I am here to walk alongside you as you move forward on your journey toward healing and growth.
When stress starts to build, it can affect more than just your day-to-day life. It can impact your mood, your energy, and your relationships. I work with adults and couples who are navigating anxiety, depression, workplace stress, and burnout. Many of my clients are used to juggling responsibilities, caring for others, and pushing through difficult seasons until they realize they're no longer feeling like themselves. You might feel constantly overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, or like you can’t fully “turn off” your mind. At the same time, stress can begin to show up in your relationships through miscommunication, distance, or frustration, making it harder to feel connected and supported.
Hi, I’m E. C. Kissner — and if you’re someone who feels accomplished on the outside but stretched thin on the inside, you’re in the right place. Many of the people I work with are navigating burnout, transitions, stress, uncertainty about next steps, or a sense that life’s moving faster than they can keep up with. You want clarity, balance, and a way to turn insight into real-world change, and you want a space that meets you where you are — respectful of your identity, your experiences, and your goals.
My name is Lauren Dircks, and I have been supporting people for 3 years through a variety of challenges. I have a masters degree in Social Work and am a fully licensed social worker. I help those working through anxiety, depression, grief/loss, relationship challenges, postpartum depression, life adjustments, and much more. I specialize in working with those 13 years and older.
I am accepting new clients. Please message me to set up a consultation phone call so we can discuss fit and scheduling.
As a Marriage and Family Therapist and ADHD specialist, I help individuals and couples improve their relationships and manage challenges related to communication, ADHD, parenting, and daily stress. Relationships play a big role in our well-being—they can bring closeness and joy, but also tension and disconnection. In therapy, I’ll help you notice patterns that may be keeping you stuck, let go of what isn’t working, and build healthier, more fulfilling connections. I also support individuals in handling the demands of work, parenting, and relationships with more balance and confidence.
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.
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read about my professional background.
I graduated with my bachelor's in social work in 2013 from MacMurray College in Jacksonville IL.
I furthered my education at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign School of Social Work and graduated with my Masters in SW in 2017.
I have gained 13 years of experience with the majority of those years spent in psychiatric facilities for children and adults.
I specialize in motivational interviewing, DBT, CBT, and a multitude of other treatment styles.
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.


Headway helps you find expert-guided support for every stage of motherhood — from finding the right therapist or psychiatrist, to understanding costs, to scheduling with ease.
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