Grief counselors and therapists in Orland Park, IL

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.

My commitment to therapy isn't just professional — it's deeply personal. With fifteen years of hands-on experience, I've navigated my own life journey and know firsthand what it means to search for purpose, confront unresolved barriers, and actively fight for inner healing. That lived experience is the fuel behind everything I do.

I am lively, warm, and I truly never meet a stranger. I welcome everyone with open arms and bring an uplifting, hopeful energy to every session — while also being the kind of counselor who will sit with you safely in your pain with a deeply empathetic heart. I am fiercely loyal and dedicated to your long-term growth and victory.

I work with faith-based individuals and spiritual seekers, adults in transition, adolescents and young adults, couples, and those navigating trauma, addiction, and recovery.

I am a general psychiatrist with fellowship training in geriatric psychiatry and forensic psychiatry. I also have an interest in addiction treatment with a previous board certification in addiction medicine. I used to conduct brain research and have earned PhD of pharmacology.

I believe that medication is sometimes helpful, but it is not always the whole answer. Mental health challenges rarely come from one single source, and true healing often requires looking deeper. Together, we will work to identify underlying patterns, stressors, and root causes rather than simply treating symptoms.

I am a board-certified registered art therapist and licensed clinical professional counselor. I have worked in non-profit organizations, providing counseling services to young children adolescents, and adults.

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.