Danielle Bent, MSW, LSW-pending

Adolescents (10-18), College, Young Adults, Adults, Couples

Anxiety, Disordered Eating, Trauma, Divorce & Complicated Family Systems, Attachment Wounds, LGBTQ+ Affirming, Self-Esteem, Identity Exploration, Life Transitions, Relationship Conflicts, Women’s Issues and Men’s Issues

Hello and welcome! My name is Danielle and I’m happy you’re here! I know starting therapy can be uncertain and daunting, however starting therapy doesn’t have to feel like a leap into the unknown. I offer a space where you can be honest, curious, stuck, or uncertain—and know that’s okay. My goal is to build a collaborative, supportive relationship that helps you make sense of your experiences and move toward meaningful change.

I am a Chicagoland native returning home after finishing my education down south. I grew up in the northwest suburbs and am thrilled to be back in the Midwest. I completed my Bachelors of the Arts in psychology and women and gender studies at the University of South Carolina and completed my Masters of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am a lifelong performer and have always been involved in some sort of musical activity whether that was Competitive Show Choir in High School or Competitive Acappella in undergrad.

Through my education at UNC, I was able to orient myself better to clinical work. I use bits and pieces of a variety of modalities in the therapy room such as CBT, DBT, and ACT therapy, but I operate primarily from a psychodynamic lens. I focus on early childhood experiences and attachment to help you better understand how you relate to yourself and others. I describe my style to be very relational and supportive. I often use humor (when appropriate) in sessions and find myself focused on building strong rapport with my clients. I love learning about people and what keeps them going. Passion is everything to me!

I grew up in a single parent household with my mom and older sister. I know how it feels to be a kid with divorced parents. Understanding the ways my parent’s separation impacted how I present in my relationships as an adult has been crucial to my own development and growth. This experience is what fuels me to be a therapist. I feel as though little me could have used a therapist like myself to build better understanding and self-compassion during that time in my life. It is my goal to become that therapist for my clients!

This past year I have been providing individual therapy in a private practice setting specializing in clients with eating disorders and body image concerns. I feel confident in my ability to guide individuals through healing their relationship with food as well as their body. I have worked with clients with anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder. I operate from a health at every size framework.

I also have a lot of experience working with queer teens and adults, helping them navigate their own gender and sexuality journey. I have worked in LGBTQ+ community centers and have done individual therapy with clients within the community as well. I think it is becoming increasingly important to offer support to those in the LGBTQ+ community as the world we live in is uncertain and scary!

As your therapist, I strive to prioritize your needs and wellness. My goal is to create a space that is personalized, comfortable, and affirming. This space is yours to create and change. I often say you are in the driver’s seat, and I am in the passenger seat with a map to guide you.

Anxiety

Anxiety can show up in many forms—constant worry, racing thoughts, physical tension, difficulty sleeping, or a sense of being overwhelmed by everyday tasks. In my work as a therapist, I understand anxiety not just as a set of symptoms, but as a signal that something deeper may be stirring beneath the surface.

Using a psychodynamic approach, I help clients uncover the underlying patterns that contribute to their anxiety. Together, we work to make sense of these experiences, bringing insight, clarity, and relief—not just by managing symptoms, but by addressing their emotional roots.

Disordered Eating & Body Image

Prior to joining Inspire, I worked in private practice specializing in eating disorders and body image concerns. Specifically I worked with clients with anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder. I operate from a HAES (health at every size) framework. I love guiding individuals through healing their relationship with food as well as their body.

Self-esteem, body image, and disordered eating are deeply personal struggles that often go deeper than simply appearance or eating habits. They can be expressions of emotional pain, a need for control, or a way of coping with feelings that may be difficult to name or process.

In my therapeutic work, I approach these issues with curiosity and care, understanding them as part of a larger emotional story. I help clients explore the beliefs they may hold about their worth, their bodies, and their identity—often shaped by early relationships, societal messages, and experiences of shame or criticism.

Divorce & Complicated Family Systems

I grew up in a single parent household with my mom and older sister. I know how it feels to be a kid with divorced parents. Understanding the ways my parent’s separation impacted how I present in my relationships as an adult has been crucial to my own development and growth.

This experience is what fuels me to be a therapist. I feel as though the little me could have used a therapist like myself to build better understanding and self-compassion during that time in my life. It is my goal to become that therapist for my clients!

Trauma & Attachment Wounds

Trauma and attachment wounds often leave lasting imprints on how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how safe we feel in the world. These experiences—whether overt or subtle—can shape our core beliefs, emotional responses, and patterns of connection, often outside of conscious awareness.

In my work, I view trauma not just as something that happened, but as something that continues to live in the body and mind. Similarly, early attachment wounds—such as inconsistent caregiving, emotional neglect, or relational rupture—can echo into adulthood, affecting trust, intimacy, and self-worth.

Using a psychodynamic approach, I help clients gently uncover and process these early experiences in a safe, attuned therapeutic relationship. Together, we work to bring unconscious patterns into awareness, heal relational injuries, and build a deeper sense of emotional safety and resilience from the inside out.

Identity Exploration

Identity exploration is a meaningful and often complex process that can involve questions about who we are, where we belong, and how we want to live in the world. Whether related to culture, gender, sexuality, roles, values, or life transitions, these questions can stir deep emotions and internal conflicts—especially when past experiences or external expectations have made it hard to fully express or accept parts of ourselves.

In therapy, I provide a space where clients can explore their identities with curiosity, depth, and self-compassion. From a psychodynamic perspective, I help clients reflect on how early relationships, societal messages, and internalized narratives have shaped their sense of self. Together, we uncover the unconscious forces that may be limiting growth, authenticity, or connection—and create space for a fuller, more integrated expression of who they truly are.

Life Transitions

Life transitions—whether chosen or unexpected—often stir up a wide range of emotions. They can bring growth and opportunity, but also grief, uncertainty, and a resurfacing of old patterns. Changes like starting or leaving school, career shifts, relationship changes, or moving away from familiar places can unsettle our sense of identity, belonging, and stability.

Having experienced several major transitions, myself—including moving away from home three different times to pursue my education—I understand how disorienting and transformative these periods can be. My own journey deepened my appreciation for the emotional complexity that comes with change and inspired me to support others as they navigate similar turning points.

For Fun…

Outside of the office you can find me purchasing an overpriced latte from a local coffee shop, attending a Pure Barre workout class, or watching the newest reality TV series (think Temptation Island and Love Island UK). I am a music lover and will be attending my first music festival in Tennessee this summer! I will talk your ear off about any indie pop artist. I think music is one of the best ways to connect with others. Some of my favorite artists currently are Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Djo, Role Model, Lorde, Remi Wolf, and Tate McRae.

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