Courtney Collins

MA, LPC

(she/her)

At a time when it felt my body and mind was working against me I found Courtney who listened to me and told me it was okay not to be okay. Slowly I am seeing glimpses of me, and I am gaining valuable tools to navigate the complexities of life.

Recent Posts

Everything in our lives is connected: body, mind, spirit, and experience. We begin to feel a disconnect when one aspect of our life feels off or out of place. We may not feel at home in our bodies, our emotions may overwhelm us, or we may even begin to feel hopeless and unmotivated when performing day-to-day tasks. It can cause even more stress when you can’t seem to place your finger on just what it is that is going wrong. Therapy allows a safe and open space to communicate your wants and needs so that you can work towards a fulfilling life that brings you happiness, whatever that may mean for you as an individual. As your therapist, I strive to create an environment that not only accepts you as you are but also utilizes your strengths to move forward in a positive direction. The healing process is a partnership between you and the therapist, and I would be honored to join you on your journey.

My clinical interests include working with individuals (adults/adolescents) who have a history of emotional dysregulation issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and/or relationship difficulties. I also work with clients who are navigating major life events and transitions such as career changes, relational changes, pregnancy, infertility, loss, and postpartum adjustment. In my practice, I draw from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and solution-focused perspectives. These approaches emphasize the important process of identifying patterns in your life and relationships, looking at your personal history, embracing your emotions, and identifying meaningful parts of the human experience that make life worth living. In addition, I use neuroscience research because I believe understanding the internal processes that occur in your body helps us better understand ourselves and not feel so overwhelmed when big emotions show up. I also encourage the use of nutrition, movement, meditation, and breathwork to aid you on your healing journey. I am sex-positive in my approach and will welcome and affirm all aspects of your identity and experience.

I earned my master’s degree from Northwestern University in clinical mental health counseling. I have additional certifications in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Integrative Medicine (Nutrition) for Mental Health Clinicians, and Clinical Trauma Practitioner Training. I have experience working with adults and adolescents who have experienced anxiety, depression, personality disorders, mood disorders, post traumatic stress disorder, grief, and life transitions.

  • IL LPC License Number: 178017978
  • Supervised by: Reyna Schwartz, PsyD, PMH-C
  • Type 1 NPI Number: 1811643661
  • Accepts: BCBS PPO and BlueChoice plans, self-pay and out of network clients

Selected Training & Affiliation

  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy
  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 1 Training
  • Integrative Medicine (Nutrition) Practitioner for Mental Health Clinicians
  • Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner
  • Member of Postpartum Support International
  • ADHD Specialist Training

Key Beliefs

  • Support systems, no matter how big or small, are powerful.
  • The key to life is resilience; it’s not how hard you get knocked down but whether you get back up.
  • Food, movement, laughter, and deep breaths have healing powers.

More About Me

  • When I’m not in session I can typically be found eating sushi with friends, listening to my music on extra loud during a workout, experimenting with different recipes, playing with my mini dachshund, or traveling anywhere warm near a body of water.