You lie awake at 3am catastrophizing about things you can’t control. Or you can’t get out of bed because everything feels pointless and heavy. Maybe it’s both, racing thoughts that lead to hopelessness, or numbness that gets interrupted by panic.
Your anxiety tells you everything’s about to fall apart. Your depression tells you nothing matters anyway. And you’re exhausted from fighting both.
Maybe you’ve tried to “think positive” or “just relax.” It didn’t work. Maybe you’ve white-knuckled your way through panic attacks, forcing smiles while drowning inside. Maybe you’re functioning, going to work, taking care of others, but barely surviving.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience, I help people break free from anxiety and depression using evidence-based approaches that address both the symptoms and the root causes. Not just “coping strategies” that feel like band-aids, but real, lasting change.
Your brain invents worst-case scenarios for everything. You can't turn it off. You're exhausted from running disaster simulations 24/7.
Your brain invents worst-case scenarios for everything. You can't turn it off. You're exhausted from running disaster simulations 24/7.
You're not sad, you're numb. Nothing brings joy. Getting out of bed feels impossible. You're going through the motions but not really living.
You're anxious about being depressed. You're depressed about being anxious. You can't tell where one ends and the other begins.
You cancel plans last minute. You rehearse conversations obsessively. Social situations feel like performances where everyone's watching you fail.
Nothing you do is ever good enough. Every mistake feels catastrophic. You're paralyzed by the fear of not being perfect.
Yes, and we’ll do it together.
Anxiety and depression therapy is about more than just “talking about feelings.” It’s about retraining your brain, regulating your nervous system, and rebuilding your life.
Session 1-2: Assessment & Crisis Stabilization
We assess severity: Are you in crisis? Do you need a psychiatrist referral? Are you safe? We establish immediate coping skills for managing panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming anxiety. By the end of session 2, you’ll have a treatment plan.
Session 3-8: Understanding Your Patterns
We explore what’s driving your anxiety and depression: Is it trauma? Perfectionism? Relationship stress? Chemical imbalance? Situational? We identify triggers, patterns, and the thoughts that keep you stuck. You’ll learn grounding techniques and start challenging distorted thinking.
Session 9-20: Retraining Your Brain & Building New Patterns
This is where transformation happens. We use cognitive-behavioral strategies to challenge anxious and depressive thoughts. We practice behavioral activation (getting moving when depression says “stay in bed”). We work on exposure (facing fears instead of avoiding them). We address root causes (trauma, shame, perfectionism).
Session 20+: Maintenance & Relapse Prevention
As symptoms improve, we shift to less frequent sessions. We build relapse prevention skills: recognizing early warning signs, having a plan for setbacks, sustaining progress without ongoing therapy.
I don’t just give you coping strategies. I help you understand what’s happening in your brain and nervous system. Knowledge is power.
We don’t just manage anxiety and depression, we address what’s driving them. Trauma, perfectionism, attachment wounds, cultural stress.
If you’re on medication, I collaborate with your prescriber for integrated care. Therapy + medication is often most effective.
Most clients feel meaningful relief within 3-6 months (12-24 sessions). Severe or chronic anxiety/depression may take 6-12 months. Progress isn’t linear, some weeks are better than others.
That depends. For mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression, therapy alone is often effective. For severe symptoms, medication + therapy is usually most effective. I don’t prescribe, but I can refer you to a psychiatrist.
There are many reasons therapy doesn’t work: wrong therapist, wrong approach, not enough time, or symptoms too severe for therapy alone. Let’s figure out what went wrong and try a different approach.
Both matter. Brain chemistry (neurotransmitters) plays a role, but so do thoughts, behaviors, relationships, trauma, and life circumstances. Therapy addresses all of it.
Please tell me. Suicidal thoughts don’t mean you’re “crazy” or “beyond help.” They mean you’re in pain and need support. We’ll create a safety plan and assess whether you need additional support (hospitalization, intensive outpatient, medication).
Only if it’s relevant. Sometimes anxiety and depression are rooted in childhood experiences. Sometimes they’re situational or chemical. We focus on what’s actually driving YOUR symptoms.
“Cured” might not be the right word. With treatment, most people experience significant symptom reduction or remission. Some people have occasional flare-ups. The goal is to manage symptoms so they don’t control your life.
Yes, I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and other major insurers. Self-pay options are also available. Contact me to verify your specific plan coverage.
in-person and online options throughout Illinois.
Friday 10 AM – 8 PM
Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM
1525 East 53rd Street
Suite 433
Chicago, IL 60615
Parking: Paid parking available behind Akira and paid street parking.
Public Transit: CTA and Metra
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
11 AM – 8 PM
125 South Wacker Drive
Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60606
Parking: Paid street parking or multiple public garages..
Public Transit: CTA & Metra.
Whether you’re navigating relationship struggles, identity questions, trauma recovery, or generational patterns you’re ready to break, I’m here to help. Fill out the form, and I will reach out to you as soon as I can.
Hyde Park, Kenwood, Woodlawn, South Shore, Bronzeville, Oakland, The Loop, West Loop, South Loop, River North, Near North Side, Streeterville, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Chinatown, Little Italy, University Village, Near West Side, Ukrainian Village, Humboldt Park, Avondale, Albany Park, North Center, Roscoe Village, Andersonville, Edgewater, Uptown, Rogers Park, Beverly, Morgan Park, Mount Greenwood, Pullman, Roseland
Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Northbrook, Glenview, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, Morton Grove, Lincolnwood, Oak Park, River Forest, Berwyn, Cicero, Maywood, Melrose Park, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Burbank, Chicago Ridge, Palos Heights, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Forest
Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Elgin, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Palatine, Hoffman Estates, Buffalo Grove, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream, Rockford, Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, Urbana, Bloomington, Normal, Decatur, Carbondale
