**Scott offers a convenient online scheduling option. Book your initial appointment here. If you prefer to speak with us first, please feel free to give us a call or reach out via our online form.**
I believe that every individual has the strengths, resources, and abilities to live authentically according to their chosen values and life goals. As a therapist, my approach is collaborative and conversational, working with you to identify actionable strategies for addressing current challenges while also creating space to process past and present difficulties. In our sessions, you can expect an atmosphere that is direct, supportive, and positive — with some humor sprinkled in. My goal is to build trust, help you tap into your core strengths, and equip you with the skills to navigate life in ways that work for you.
My clinical interests include helping individuals (adults and young adults) with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, and challenges related to athletic and work performance. I also address phobias, grief and loss, relationship issues, major life transitions, ADHD, and trauma. A particular area of focus in my practice is the transition to parenthood, especially the mental health struggles associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period.
I have a strong passion for helping individuals overcome social anxiety, feelings of disconnection, and low self-confidence. Humans are inherently social beings, and I believe that how we engage in relationships and social settings is central to our sense of fulfillment. In our work together, we’ll explore your role in relationships and identify specific areas for growth to help you feel more confident and socially satisfied.
Additionally, I am dedicated to supporting men in addressing their emotional and psychological well-being. Traditional social expectations around masculinity often place pressure on men to suppress vulnerability and avoid seeking support, impacting their mental health. I am particularly passionate about helping men navigate the emotional complexities surrounding infertility and career pressures. These are difficult topics, but I believe that tackling them openly and with some light-heartedness is the path to greater self-acceptance, resilience, and fulfillment.
I draw from a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. I find that a combination of these approaches, while also considering the impact of past trauma, can be particularly effective in addressing a wide range of challenges. At the core of my approach is the belief that learning to respond more flexibly to our thoughts, emotions, and stressors is key to moving through life’s difficulties, living more authentically, and achieving our goals.
I hold a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. I have experience providing psychotherapy to young adults and adults in private practice and university counseling settings, both individually and in group formats. I have received structured training Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, cognitive processing therapy for trauma, and trauma-informed care. I am currently engaging in additional training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for the treatment of social anxiety, phobias, and other anxiety-related challenges. I am also pursuing certification in perinatal mental health (PMH-C) and expect to complete my LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) credential by early 2025.
- IL LPC License: Pending
- Supervised by: Reyna Schwartz, PsyD, PMH-C
- NPI Number: 1275397291
- Accepts: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice Plans and self-pay clients
Selected Training & Affiliation
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Proficiency
- Cognitive Processing Therapy Basic
- Mental Health First Aid
- Lethal Means and Suicide
- Person-centered Theory
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Mindfulness-based Approaches
- American Counseling Association
- Member of Postpartum Support International
Key Beliefs
- How we think about our problems is often more problematic than the problems themselves
- Managing the ups and downs of life requires us to become comfortable with what is uncomfortable
- Humor is fundamental to human healing
- All human beings have agency — it’s a matter of choosing to engage it
- Even the smallest of steps can create momentum
More About Me
- In my free time I love watching sports and being active is very important to me, whether that’s through bike riding, yoga, getting to the gym, or running.
- In terms of my sports allegiances, let’s just say I’m originally from St. Louis and leave it at that.
- Getting out of the city and into nature is deeply therapeutic for me, as is listening to music (I like just about all kinds).
- Prior to becoming a counselor, I spent 10 years in the corporate world where I learned many lessons, the most impactful of which being… I was not meant to spend another 10 years in the corporate world. And that’s what brought me to this wonderful career where every day I get to learn more about YOUR story — and hopefully in some small way help you to author your next best chapter.
