As human beings, we all experience times of struggle. It’s the shape, the complexity, and the impact of the problems we face that are deeply personal and unique. My priority as a therapist is to support you in your time of struggle, in a way that centers your individual needs, circumstances, goals, and concerns. If you’re ready, I’d love to assist you in finding a path forward, feeling better, and reconnecting with your truest self.
In our sessions together, I hope to offer you a supportive, compassionate space to process your feelings, nurture existing strengths, and heal from trauma, pain, or loss. Depending on your goals and interests, we can also practice evidence-based skills to bolster emotional functioning, effective communication, and relational health. My main treatment areas include sexual trauma/abuse, complex trauma, LGBTQIA+ concerns, ADHD, anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, shame, and relationship difficulties.
I utilize an integrative therapeutic approach, adapted for each client. My primary treatment modalities include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and other cognitive-behavioral and trauma-informed approaches. Since you are the expert on yourself and your life, I consider your priorities, values, and input as wholly essential to our therapy. We will work together to develop a treatment plan that feels appropriate, engaging, and manageable for you.
I obtained my master’s degree from The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. During my graduate studies, I concentrated in cognitive- and contextual-behavioral therapies, completed additional training in trauma-informed care, and advocated for victims’ rights on UChicago’s sexual misconduct student advisory board. Since 2018, I have worked and trained in patient advocacy, community health, and outpatient counseling roles, offering crisis intervention, case management, and individual/group therapy to teens and adults.
I know that therapy can be daunting and emotionally intense work. I also recognize that therapy is an investment, and most people don’t choose it lightly. Given these truths, I appreciate the courage and commitment it already took you to get here (reading this page). If you’re willing and able to take the next step and begin the work of therapy, I’m ready to work hard right alongside you.
Phone: 847-868-0505
Email: aoneill@improvinglifecounseling.com
