Helping people pleasers rebuild their self-confidence in Illinois
Specializing in anxiety therapy, couples counseling, and intergenerational trauma
“I feel like I’m losing control.”
You work so hard to make a life for yourself, yet it doesn’t feel like it’s yours. Everyone is asking so much of you. Your emotions are all over the place, whether you’ve been “numbing out” or you’re angry. all. the. time.
You don’t know what you want because you’ve lived your life helping others in their time of need. You wake up one day and realize you’re a shell of someone you used to be. If you’re a parent, or thinking of being a parent one day, you know deep in your heart that your kids deserve someone who is emotionally present.
“I don’t feel connected to myself or to others.”
“I don’t want to be a burden.”
You often avoid sharing your needs or boundaries with others, including your family members, friends, or partner(s) because you’re afraid of being dismissed or worse…to not really feel seen.
Hi, I’m Shirley!
Anxiety therapist in Chicago, IL
I see you—anxious people-pleasers who are juggling too many responsibilities and roles. You’re often the peacemaker or problem-solver in your family, and while that’s a strength, it can also leave you feeling constantly drained.
You put your needs last, and with no time or space for yourself, burnout, irritability, and feeling lost become familiar. You want to find calm and balance so that you don’t pass on these same struggles to the next generation—whether you have children now or plan to start a family.
You may come in feeling panicked, "under appreciated", or that you're "not good enough". My goal is to have my clients leave therapy feeling confident, curious, and more connected, even in conflicts. I don't want you to be in therapy forever.
FAQs
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We figure out what concerns you would like to address and why it is important to you. Some people find relief in shorter periods of time, while others use therapy as an on-going outlet. You’re in the driver’s seat and decide when you’re ready to stop.
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In each session, we reflect upon the previous one to open up discussion if there were any lingering questions, comments, or concerns. I always make sure to meet my clients where they are at for the day.
Some clients come in with an agenda and we focus on one at a time. Others may not have specific issues to address, and in such cases, we observe the dynamics that unfold during our conversations. Those patterns may lead to insights that they did not notice before.
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I am a provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois PPO. If you would like to pay out-of-pocket for an individual 50 minute session, my rate is $210. For out-of-network clients who would like to be their insurance benefits, you can click on the link to set up your Reimbursify account.
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