Emily Mikuta, MHP, MA-pending
Kids (3-10), Adolescents (10-18), College, Young Adults
Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Autism (ASD), Trauma, Bullying, Stressful Life
Transitions, Troublesome Childhoods, Behavioral Issues, Anger, Women’s issues
Hello! I’m so grateful you found your way here. I know how difficult and vulnerable it can feel to seek support, and I want you to know you’re not alone. By simply being here, you’ve already taken an important step toward your healing journey!
I grew up in Glenview, part of Chicago’s North Shore area and attended Glenbrook South High School. Growing up, I was a competitive dancer and was on the Poms team in high school. Dancing competitively was not just a passion of mine, but also my outlet, my support system, and a way to manage the anxiety and self-doubt I was facing.
Like many adolescents, I faced my own struggles with anxiety and depression. Due to this, I began working with a counselor who made me feel truly seen, heard, and valued. That experience changed everything. It planted a seed that led me to where I am today: helping children, adolescents, and young adults find their voice, build resilience, and feel supported, just like I once needed.
I’m also a first-generation American, my parents immigrated from Poland before I was born. Growing up, I found myself balancing two cultures, which sometimes made me feel isolated and unsure of where I fit in. It was something I struggled with, especially in high school, but over time, I’ve come to deeply appreciate and embrace my identity. This lived experience helps me connect with clients who are navigating multicultural identities or feeling caught between worlds, and I’m thankful to support them in finding strength and clarity in their own unique stories.
During my time at the Chicago School, I was honored to be accepted into the Chi Sigma Iota Honors Society. Along the way, I worked at Leep Forward, a therapeutic day school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. There, I learned how powerful play-based interventions can be, and how important it is to meet every client where they are.
During my clinical internship at Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook, I had the privilege of working with children and adolescents through individual and group therapy. That experience reinforced my belief that healing starts with the therapeutic relationship, and that every client brings strengths worth celebrating.
Counseling to me means creating a safe and approachable space where people feel
empowered to grow, heal, and be their authentic selves. I feel so lucky that my position allows
me to share a space with such incredible kids, teens, and young adults.
When you work with me, you’ll find a space filled with safety, collaboration, empathy, empowerment, honesty, and humor. I recognize that every individual is unique, which is why I tailor my approach to meet each client where they are. Whether someone needs structure and skill-building or a space to process and explore, I draw from a range of therapeutic tools to support their specific goals and needs. No two people are the same, and I believe healing looks different for everyone, so our work together will reflect what feels most helpful and meaningful to you. It’s my mission to create a place where client’s feel genuinely seen and heard. If you’re reading this, I’m honored and excited to walk alongside you in your healing journey.
After graduating from Glenbrook South, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I then attended the Chicago School to obtain my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
