Ava Schenk, MSW, LSW

Adolescents, College, Young Adults

Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Self Esteem, Disordered Eating, Social Media, Friendship Struggles, School Issues, Divorce, Transitions, Executive Functioning, Anger Management

Hello! I am Ava and I am excited to possibly get the opportunity to work with you! If you work with me, you’ll experience my bubbly personality paired with my authentic, funny and down-to-earth vibe. I grew up in Deerfield and graduated from DHS. Following in my mom’s footsteps, I headed out to Champaign/Urbana and graduated from the University of Illinois (I-L-L) with a degree in Social Work. I then completed my Master’s in Social Work from UIC.

As your therapist, I will provide a safe and non judgmental space for you to feel comfortable to be yourself. I believe in adding humor and positivity to the therapeutic experience! I know firsthand that everyone grows at their own pace physically and mentally.

I believe that there is not a one size fits all approach. My style is interactive and collaborative to help you better understand your strengths in order to reach your personalized goals. I utilize various treatment techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and person-centered therapy.

High School & College

I am passionate about working with high school and college students because I know how much change and pressure comes with those years. Between social media, friendships, relationships, and figuring out who you are, it can feel like there’s always something pulling at you.

I get how easy it is to start comparing yourself to everyone else or to feel like you’re falling behind when everyone seems to have it all together. I’m very well versed in the stressors High School and college kids today face with anxieties of social media, school, self-esteem, depression, anxiety and disordered eating.

In our sessions, I like to keep things real and comfortable. We’ll talk through what’s going on; the breakups, friend drama, self-doubt, or that constant pressure to be “enough” and find ways to build confidence and self-trust.

My goal is to help you feel more grounded and connected to yourself, even when life feels messy or uncertain. I want therapy to feel like your space and a place where you can take a breath, be honest, and know that you’re not alone in figuring things out.

I’ve seen firsthand by working through my own mental health journey, that anyone can overcome challenges in their life and it’s okay if that journey doesn’t follow a straight line.

I believe we are truly on the journey together.

ADHD & Time Management

I also work with clients who struggle with focus, motivation, or time management. It’s easy to feel frustrated when your brain just won’t cooperate, deadlines sneak up on you, or staying organized feels like a huge challenge. In our work together, we’ll find strategies that actually make sense for you and tools that fit your brain and your life. I focus on helping you build routines that feel realistic, and strengthen executive functioning skills. Whether it’s staying on top of schoolwork, balancing responsibilities, or learning how to work with your brain instead of against it, we’ll find ways together to help you feel more capable and in control.

Young Adults

I have been lucky to grow up in a family with many social work professionals. The tools I’ve gained from my personal life, challenges and counseling skills has served me through college and emerging into my own adult years and finding a career where I thrive.

Becoming an adult takes time and effort. Going to college and graduating into the “real world” is a big life transition. Though transitions can be really challenging, they are the perfect opportunity to grow, gain freedom and find out who you really are.

Anxiety around change is completely normal! I promise to go the extra mile to assist my clients in developing the tools to foster growth, so they can become the best versions of themselves.

For Fun…

I love spending time with my friends and family. I am passionate about NYT mini games as well as mastering my Spotify playlist. Being a foodie, I love to explore new restaurants and food trends with my friends. When the weather’s nice I also love to take long walks, especially with my dog Ollie!

To schedule an appointment, Call or TEXT (847) 919-9096 or hello@inspirecounselingcenter.com