I am a queer, neurodivergent, South Asian adoptee and first-gen immigrant who is dedicated to social justice and equitable care. I take a collaborative, compassionate approach, creating a safe and open space to explore your identities, experiences, and goals. I know finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming—particularly when navigating complex and marginalized identities. My priority is building an authentic, warm relationship where you feel truly seen and heard. Together, we’ll customiz...
Many of the people I work with feel emotionally overwhelmed, stuck in unhelpful patterns, or unsure how to move forward. Therapy can offer a grounded space to better understand yourself, strengthen coping skills, and build healthier relationships. I work with children, adolescents, and adults navigating individual challenges, relationship concerns, family dynamics, and major life transitions. I support clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, ADHD, neurodivergence, and identity-...
Finding a therapist who feels like a good fit can matter as much as the therapy itself. I work with students who are thoughtful, capable, and often carrying more than they let on — anxiety, stress, self-doubt, trauma, or the pressure to keep it together while figuring out who they are and where they’re headed. I’m a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with a background in both clinical mental health and higher education. Before returning to full-time clinical work, I spent many ye...
Happy 2026 and "New year, new you!,"friend! Maybe this will be the year you finally get (back) into therapy! Whether you've been in therapy before, or this would be your first time— I'll make sure to sit with you while we work towards what you most want to work on together. You may be looking for someone to help you work through stuck patterns in your life related to anxiety, negative beliefs about yourself, and constant people pleasing in your relationships. Here's what I can offer you: con...
With 14 years of experience in the mental health field, I am deeply committed to helping individuals, couples, families, and groups navigate the challenges they face. My approach is rooted in a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and person-centered therapy, tailored to meet each client exactly where they are. I believe that healing begins with trust, and I strive to create a compassionate, non-judgmental space where clients can feel heard, understood, a...
For the past 8 yrs I've worked with queer, trans, BIPOC, disabled and neurodivergent communities on issues related to trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, anger, people pleasing/care taking, relationship issues, identity exploration, life transitions and systemic stressors. My practice seeks to center clients wholeness, examining and holding how all of their identities & experiences have shaped their life story & lived experience. What are the stories we tell ourselves about who we are? How might...
I create a space where you are encouraged to express your most authentic self without the fear of judgment or the need to appear in a certain light, all while being witnessed, supported, and challenged. I tend to work best with individuals who possess some insight into their behavior and have a sense of curiosity about themselves and the world around them. At a certain point, reoccurring struggles lead us to look for a therapy to not just lessen the effects of mental health symptoms, but that en...
Are you feeling trapped in a cycle of uncertainty, dissatisfaction, and self-doubt? You're not alone. Life can sometimes feel unmanageable, making us feel overwhelmed, anxious, down, or even lost. It can often feel easier to continue in the same maladaptive behavioral patterns instead of shifting to healthier ways, which is why change can be so hard! I'm here to help and support you while you navigate some of life’s turbulent waters. On this journey, I would work with you to take steps toward di...
My therapeutic style is one of flexibility, active engagement, and a commitment to helping my clients cultivate change in areas of their lives in which they feel stuck. Although people come to therapy for countless reasons, common themes that emerge in my work include relationship concerns, life transitions, identity issues, existential distress, and anxiety and depression. I value helping my clients develop self-compassion, interpersonal awareness, intentionality, and balance in their lives. ...
Melissa Mello is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in the evidence-based treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, and eating disorders. Melissa received her BS in psychology from the University of Washington and her Masters in Marital and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Melissa completed her training at UC San Diego in an outpatient setting and went on to contribute to clinical research and provide services for eating disorders on multidisciplinary teams. She ...
If you feel depressed, anxious, emotionally overwhelmed, stuck or simply need somebody to talk to, I can help. If you are considering making life changes or have a sense that something needs to change, let's work on it together. It has been my life's work to try to understand people and, beyond understanding, help people grow & change. If any of this sounds like you, I hope we can meet to talk it over together. For over 16 years, I taught psychology to therapists & counselors in training. I a...
Our team is composed of clinicians who value diversity and acceptance. We combine education with experience to deliver professional, effective, personalized counseling to our clients. Our goal is for our clients to be seen and heard and feel like their voices matter. In our client relationships, we function as guides to support and coaches to encourage progress and healing. We treat clinical issues (stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, etc.) through a relational lens. We explore ho...
Feeling stuck in old patterns, overwhelmed by stress, or unsure how to navigate changes in your relationships or life can be deeply challenging. If you are seeking support to better understand your emotions, strengthen coping strategies, and build more satisfying connections with yourself and others, therapy may be a helpful step. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families facing anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and relational concerns. I approach therapy wit...
MARRA is a trauma based practice located near West Loop Chicago. We work with adult clients that are ready to dive into self-exploration and acknowledgement of how present and past experiences impact their current life experience. When working with clients, we take into consideration how race, class, gender, sexuality, and other social systems intersect to shape people’s experiences. As a result, we practice psychotherapy, consultation, and training that affirms the value of difference. We...
Through creativity and warmth, we work with clients to facilitate personal growth to help navigate an often confusing world. Together we will increase your self awareness, support you in finding the best answers to life- changing questions, and guide you to a more enjoyable life. We specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Relationships & Couples Counseling, Quarter Life Crisis, Life Transitions, Trauma, & PTSD and more....
Our mission at Center Focused Therapy is to provide the highest level of ethical, competent and intentional treatment to our clients. We appreciate how difficult it can be to start therapy and do not take this decision lightly. Whether you have a clear idea of what you hope to address in therapy or are unsure of where to begin, our therapists are determined to meet you where you are in your own journey of healing and growth. Interested in learning more? Email or call us and we will be happy to a...
I am a clinical psychologist specializing in working with young adults and students. I spent 10 years on staff at various university counseling centers around the country and now work in private practice doing individual psychotherapy in Illinois and New York. My approach combines my education, training, and own life experience to work with individuals collaboratively, with a focus on how to meaningfully and healthfully navigate life events. While trained as a generalist to provide treatment for...
Feeling overwhelmed by trauma, transitions, or the pressure to have it all figured out? You’re not alone - and therapy can help you make sense of it all. I work with students and young adults navigating anxiety, perfectionism, relationship patterns, and the emotional weight of their past. My approach is trauma-informed, collaborative, and rooted in compassion. Together, we’ll unpack old narratives, strengthen your ability to regulate emotions, and create new ways of relating - to yourself an...
I believe having a place to express yourself with a therapist whom you trust is a pivotal first step to creating personal growth and wellness. I pride myself in establishing strong, supportive relationships with my clients and providing a safe, nonjudgemental space where healing can take place. In therapy, I work together with my clients to navigate life's challenges, develop healthy coping strategies, effectively manage difficult emotions, and establish life-long skills. My therapeutic style i...
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