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I'm Sam (she/her), a licensed clinical social worker in the Chicago area with 7 years of experience. I have provided individual, family, and group counseling and have extensive experience with crisis intervention. Throughout my career, I have worked with clients during all stages of their lifespans.
My approach
I tend to gravitate towards interventions that integrate mind and body, but I fundamentally believe that each client requires an individualized approach. I believe that therapy is collaborative and you set the pace. I'm here to guide you, keep you grounded, and help you learn and apply strategies to cope. Some of the techniques I like to use are mindfulness, journaling, meditation, art, and exercise. However, the most important thing to me is finding strategies that work for you.
My focus
At this time, I am willing to see individuals. My specialties include anxiety, career counseling, coping skills, depression, life transitions, mood disorders, relationship issues, self-esteem, stress, suicidal ideation, self-harming, panic attacks, women's issues, trauma and PTSD, and gender identity.
My communication style
I aim to create a warm, non-judgmental space where you feel safe to share openly. My communication style is collaborative and client-led - I'm here to listen, offer guidance, and tailor my approach to your unique needs. I believe in the power of mindful, grounded conversations to facilitate growth and healing.
My first session with you
First sessions consist of an intake assessment. During this, I will provide some background on myself, review confidentiality parameters, and review any questions or "housekeeping" items. We will then dive into the actual assessment portion where I ask numerous questions about what you have been experiencing. I always encourage you to share as much detail as you feel comfortable and to let me know if there are topics you are not ready to dive into. I am required to provide a diagnosis to comply with insurance guidelines. I am more than happy to talk through my clinical judgment that landed on a specific diagnosis and provide extensive information if desired. The last part of the first session is goal planning. This is a collaborative process where you get to set goals for our time working together including length of treatment, frequency of sessions, and specific approaches you may want to incorporate.
