Gabrielle Pendley, MA, LCSW, CADC, PMH-C (she/her)
In my role as the manager of Wildflower Center for Perinatal and Family Mental Health, I am responsible for overseeing mental health services, educational programming and outreach related to Wildflower’s core specialty of perinatal and reproductive mental health. I am passionately committed to supporting women throughout their journey to motherhood and families in the transition to parenthood. I firmly believe in the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the perinatal period and in empowering clinicians and care providers to provide attuned and effective care to families in their reproductive and perinatal experiences. As a part of this role, I work to provide education and promote awareness of perinatal mental health within our community.
Becoming a parent is one of the most profound identity shifts we can experience. From considering becoming a parent, to the transition to parenthood and all of the stages in between, this period of change can bring about a myriad of emotions. As a psychotherapist, I specialize in working with individuals who are in the midst of these changes, which may include experiences of infertility or pregnancy loss. I feel honored to support patients during these times, when support and connection are more essential than ever. I am a member of Postpartum Support International and a certified Perinatal Mental Health Clinician (PMH-C). Additionally, I facilitate the infertility support group at Wildflower and offer a variety of one-time support and educational opportunities.
As a psychotherapist, my aim is to create a safe, affirming space for my clients to share and to feel seen and heard. In my work, I emphasize authenticity, empathy, and connection. I believe that everyone is capable of making positive change and healing when given a safe space to do so. My approach is both direct and warm; I work from a strengths-based perspective, helping my clients to see all that they bring to the table inherently. I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
I also serve as a consultant and supervisor to other mental health providers. I deeply value the opportunity to support and connect with other clinicians, and to grow my own skillset in doing so. Additionally, I provide professional trainings on topics related to perinatal mental health. I am firmly committed to bringing awareness and understanding around perinatal mental health and related issues.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in social welfare and justice and Spanish at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and went on to get my master’s degree in clinical social work at The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration (now The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice). Prior to Wildflower, I spent nearly ten years working as a therapist in the Cook County health system in a variety of settings (jail, hospital, outpatient clinic), mostly with women who have experienced trauma and addiction, and with women in the perinatal period. I have experience treating a variety of mental health disorders including but not limited to depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. I’ve worked with individuals across the age and gender spectrum. The most common presentations I work with include infertility and perinatal mental health, transition to parenthood, trauma recovery, and substance abuse.
LCSW License Number: 149017994
Type 1 NPI Number: 1619347713
Accepts: BCBS PPO and BlueChoice plans, UnitedHealthcare/Optum PPO, self-pay and out of network clients
Pronouns
she/her/hers
Selected trainings
Perinatal Mental Health-Certified (PMH-C)
Bringing Baby Home Educator Certificate (in progress)
Trained in Trauma-informed care
LGBTQ Affirming Provider
Motivational Interviewing
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Extensive Training in Harm Reduction
40 Hour Illinois Domestic Violence Training
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Gottman Level 1 Training for Couples
Presentations and Facilitated Trainings
Working with Intimate Partner Violence
Key beliefs
There is always a potential for change; humans are deeply resilient.
The most important element of therapy is a safe therapeutic space and a strong therapeutic connection.
More about me
My favorite forms of self-care are running, yoga, and spending hours cooking in my kitchen.
My two kids and two dogs keep me on my feet and laughing.
I could spend all day on the beach with a trashy mystery novel.