Megan Storey, MA, LPC

Adolescents, College, Young Adults, Adults, Couples, Families, Seniors

Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Stressful Life Transitions, Grief, Self-Esteem, Personality Disorders, Emotional Regulation, Troublesome Childhoods, Relationship Struggles, Communication, Trauma and Faith-Based and Faith Trauma


Hello! My name is Megan Storey, and I appreciate you taking the time to learn more about me as a therapist. I am excited about the possibility of working together and supporting you on your journey!

My desire to become a mental health counselor stemmed from an early age due to my love for people and hearing others vulnerably share their emotions and personal experiences. In elementary school, I found myself actively listening to my friends at recess, validating my family’s emotions and concerns when discussing chronic illness, and wanting to provide others with hope and encouragement. I believed in the power of stepping into another’s shoes and instilling hope whenever possible.

Despite not fully understanding what empathy was as a child, I knew that walking alongside others in their pain and brokenness, even in the smallest of situations, had a profound impact on me. I wanted to be a person who could offer support and hope—someone who could walk alongside others during their most difficult moments.

As I grew older, this calling to help others only deepened, and I fully committed to my dream of becoming a therapist. In high school, I took college-level courses to learn more about psychology, and while I was finishing my Bachelor’s degree, I enrolled in Master’s-level classes to prepare me for a career in mental health counseling; I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an Emphasis in Counseling and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, both from Trinity International University.

While completing my degrees and starting my journey as a therapist, I served as a leadership coach empowering high school students to embrace their gifts and passions, a summer school teacher educating elementary-aged students on how to cope with their emotions and navigate life’s stressors, the president of Trinity’s senior outreach program leading volunteers to orchestrate activities and have meaningful conversations with senior residents, and a mental health professional providing counseling services to a diverse client population at Catholic Charities.

Now, as a clinician in a private practice, I can say with all of my heart, I genuinely love what I do, and I am grateful to be a part of Inspire’s team of dedicated professionals.

When working with clients, I approach counseling with a deep sense of compassion, meeting each person where they are. As someone who is passionate about empowering clients to share their story, I consider it an honor to be invited into your narrative. My goal is to walk alongside you by listening, leading with empathy, instilling hope, and providing effective tools to help you work through life’s triumphs and difficulties. Having attended individual and family therapy myself, I know what it is like to feel broken, find hope in the midst of darkness, and embrace healing through therapeutic breakthroughs. Given the opportunity, I would be honored to work together!

Your Story Matters

As a therapist, I believe life is like a book, filled with unique chapters. Some chapters are filled with joy, while others carry pain and uncertainty. You may be experiencing the deep pain of loss, wondering how to move forward in the face of grief. Perhaps you are facing the hardships that come with the shift in your family’s dynamics, feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or unsure how to mend deep-rooted conflicts. Or maybe you are struggling to healthily cope with aging, wrestling with feelings of isolation, purpose, or physical limitations. My role as your therapist is to join you wherever you are in your story—whether you are in the middle of a difficult chapter or looking to write a new one. Together, we will explore your narrative, find the underlying themes, and cultivate a story of healing.

Setting the Stage for Storytelling

When coming to my office, you can expect a nonjudgmental and safe environment where you feel seen, heard, and understood. As someone who has worked with people from all walks of life, I understand the courage it takes to share your story, especially the painful parts. I am here to listen, validate your feelings, and help you uncover the root causes of your presenting issue(s). Together, we will establish treatment goals, and I will guide you toward tangible next steps.

How I Walk Alongside

I take an eclectic approach to therapy, meaning I incorporate a mix of styles into each session to provide the best individualized care. This includes Person-Centered Therapy, where you take the lead, and Narrative Therapy, which provides you space to share your story and renarrate certain “pages” or “chapters” to foster healing and change. Additionally, I may utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you reframe unhelpful thoughts or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to build mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation into sessions when appropriate. When working with couples and families, I use Family Systems Therapy and Structural Family Therapy to address relationship dynamics. In both couples and family therapy, I am a firm believer in the power of role-playing and psychoeducation. This means that you will learn about and practice healthy skills during couple and family sessions. Ultimately, no matter what type of therapy you seek, my goal is to ensure you feel supported and empowered throughout the therapeutic process.

Jr High & High School

Junior Highers and High Schoolers are in some of life’s biggest transitions. Growing up, navigating social media, body image, friendships, dating, academic expectations, family relationships and sports, clubs and activities outside of school is a LOT.

It seems like everyone’s teacher, coach, and friend thinks their activity is the most important thing in these kids’ lives. Adolescents today are pulled in a million directions, and these kids are striving for excellence in so many different things.

It’s no wonder why anxiety is at an all-time high for adolescents today.

During these critical developmental years, no one wants to be different. The need to fit in and the importance of friendships can become one of the highest priorities. The trouble is, these friends are dealing with their own insecurities and challenges and often don’t have much to give in terms of support. Plus, embracing what makes you uniquely you is one of the best things about you!

No matter what you’re going through, I get it and am here to help you reset and refocus on what matters most. I work collaboratively with parents, as parents are the cornerstone of support throughout their lives. I bring experience using evidence-based therapies such as CBT, Narrative Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy prior to joining Inspire.

My ultimate goal is for my adolescent clients to thrive and enjoy their childhoods, free from unnecessary anxiety or stress.

College & Young Adults

The transition into adulthood is filled with unique pressures and life-altering decisions. Whether you are trying to manage the stress of school, figuring out your career path, or falling under the weight of social or family expectations, I understand how overwhelming it can feel.

I recently graduated college a few years ago, and I am here to help you make sense of it all. Together, we will navigate the ups and downs, explore your values and goals, and work on building healthy coping skills as you move forward.


Seniors

As we grow older, life can bring unique challenges—whether it is adjusting to living life as a new retiree, adjusting to a “new normal”, or coping with the loss of loved ones. As my wise grandma once said, “Getting older isn’t for sissies”, and I understand that aging comes with its complexities. My approach is grounded in creating a space where you can process these transitions with dignity and support. Whether you are dealing with feelings of loneliness, concerns about independence, or shifts in family dynamics, I am here to listen and walk alongside you as you adapt to these changes.

Family Therapy & Parent Support

Families are the cornerstone of support throughout life. However, I understand, personally and professionally, that no family is perfect. Everyone is trying their best with the tools and resources they have been given in their own childhood and life.

Family relationships can be the most enriching and the most challenging. As a clinician, I recognize that healthy communication is pivotal to every relationship. When it falters, frustration, distance, and misunderstandings tend to take root.

I have seen the healing power of family therapy using evidence-based therapies with families, such as CBT, Structural Family Therapy, and Family Systems Therapy.

Whether you are navigating conflict or simply wanting to strengthen your relationships, I understand the importance of feeling heard and understood by your family. My goal is to help you and your partner/family identify patterns that may be causing tension and create new ways of interacting that foster trust and connection. You can expect values, roles, boundaries, and communication styles to be explored.

Faith & Christian Counseling

If you are interested, and it aligns with your values, I can provide faith-based Christian therapy. As a therapist who has walked alongside clients from various faith backgrounds and experiences, I understand that spirituality is essential for many clients to explore during therapy. No matter where you are in your faith journey or lack thereof, I am here to meet you where you are.

You may struggle to tackle life’s big questions or want to reevaluate your beliefs.

You may have experienced hurt from a religious organization and are struggling to navigate deep-rooted pain and confusion.

Or perhaps you feel distanced from faith or prefer not to engage in spirituality at all. Whatever chapter you are in, your values and faith background will be welcomed and respected.

When working with clients seeking to incorporate their Christian faith into counseling, I utilize an integrationist approach, which means I combine leading counseling practices with spiritual elements.

Together, we will explore how faith intersects with your presenting issue(s), incorporate Christian principles and leading treatment strategies to help improve your overall well-being, and explore how your beliefs can serve as a source of strength, guidance, and hope.

If you are not interested in Christian-specific counseling, I absolutely respect that and honor any and all faiths and beliefs. All are welcome and accepted in a nonjudgemental, open and loving space.

For Fun…

I was born and raised near the Chicago suburbs and have a deep love for this area and its people. When I am not in the office, you will likely find me out in nature—walking in a forest preserve, enjoying Lake Michigan, or taking long drives to soak in the beauty. I am a proud dog mom of two beautiful babies; one is a German Shepherd, and the other one is a Westiepoo. And yes, I do push my little one in a dog-friendly stroller!

When not fulfilling my role as a doggie mom, I enjoy watching professional basketball, singing karaoke, playing board games, and spending quality time with my family and friends.

To book an appointment, 847-919-9096 x.1, [email protected]