Katie has both life and clinical experience to relate to adolescents, adults and parents. She grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago in the Edgebrook community and graduated from Loyola Academy. She has an uncanny ability to listen, hear you, relate, and make you feel safe. She is calm, warm, and strong, and you can feel that she really cares.
Adolescents
Katie spent more than 12 years combined in Special Education, serving children with emotional and behavioral challenges in a variety of roles. For 8 years she worked at Niles Central Therapeutic High School as a Paraprofessional, Summer School Teacher, Track and Field Coach, and Homebound Tutor. For 4 years prior, she was a teacher for kids grades K-12 in the Chicago and Skokie schools. There she created curriculum to engage students, facillitated behavior intervention plans, led Positive Behavior Intervention Systems committees and coached Basketball and Girls on the Run.Katie is an ally with the LGBTQ+ community. She loves empowering all people to connect with their values and passions, find their own path, define their success, and feel confidence and connection in their life. She helps kids to develop self awareness and create self made plans for making change in their lives. Katie provides regular parent sessions for all clients under 18 to keep parents involved in the process!
Adults & Parents
Katie found her strength as a young adult in therapy, and now loves empowering others to find theirs- helping them to identify their values, define their boundaries, communicate their needs, and live with intention. She understands that life is not easy, and that it can be overwhelming sometimes. Katie can relate to many struggles women, parents, and blended families face, and does so with kindness and empathy.
Katie gently empowers people living with chronic illness and those who have experienced trauma and unhealthy attachments that continue to impact their daily lives and relationships. She will acknowledge the pain you endure, give you hope, and help you find a way forward. In addition to her knowledge as a Learning Behavior Specialist, Katie uses an eclectic approach of Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Compassion Focused Therapy to help her clients meet their goals.
For fun, Katie loves to read self-help books, sing and dance in her kitchen, sun tan, and spend time with her chihuahua terrier, Elliott. Katie is a member of a professional organization that promotes Spiritual and Ethical Values in Counseling.
To book an appointment call (847) 919-9096 ext. 1 or email [email protected].