Kids, early adolescents, middle adolescents, college, young adults, adults, couples, parents, families
Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Grief, Self-Esteem, Women’s Issues including Fertility Issues, Parenting, Neonatal and Perinatal Loss, Relationship Stress, Self-Discovery, Stressful Life Transitions, Childhood Grief, Troublesome Childhoods.
I grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, and have lived in Chicago for 6 years. I attended Marquette University’s College of Business and am finalizing my Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree at National Louis University. I am married and have two kids and a goldendoodle named Jelly.
Career & Life Pivot
Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked in corporate marketing while supporting my husband through his medical residency and eventually decided to stay home with my two kids. During the next few years, we faced a battle with cancer within our family, profound personal losses amidst a pandemic, and the struggle to remain resilient. When the dust cleared, and I looked at my life, I knew I wanted to serve a purpose bigger than meeting my own needs. I decided to focus on helping others through the difficult times in their lives and pursue a career in counseling.
Trauma, Grief, and Loss
As someone who has experienced many types of losses, I know how isolating and intimidating it can feel to face each day with an aching heart. Knowing someone was guiding me through my most difficult times with compassionate counseling helped me through the darkest days. I believe that by using trauma-informed therapies and mindfulness-based interventions, survivors of trauma and those living with profound grief can begin to reengage with life. Additionally, I am trauma certified through ITTI as a clinical trauma professional.
Women’s Issues
Women’s issues, such as infertility, pregnancy, and infant loss, and the difficulties associated with growing our families, are often overlooked and under-shared. As a woman and mother, I bring empathy, life experience, understanding, and compassion to helping women through this challenging time.
Kids and Adolescents
I enjoy working with kids and adolescents and offer a strengths-based approach and experience in mindfulness-based therapy, CBT, and person-centered therapy.
Mindfulness-based therapy
More and more research is showing the physical and neurological benefits of mindfulness. Quieting the mind takes practice, and I integrate mindfulness modalities into my practice when possible. I love to discover unconventional ways to help clients benefit from mindfulness and use the power of mindfulness as a complementary approach to traditional therapy.
For Fun
When I’m not working, I enjoy being outside and exploring the forest preserves with my kids. I love to read for pleasure and believe in the healing power of escaping through a great book! I enjoy a good puzzle and love a true crime podcast or documentary. I spend most of my time with my family, often traveling back to Iowa to see my family and teach my kids how to garden on the family farm.
Megan Nick, MHP, Graduate Intern