IN-PERSON IN CHICAGO & EVANSTON
TELEHEALTH IN ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, and TEXAS
Faith-Based Counseling
"Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. Do not be disheartened by your imperfections, but always rise up with fresh courage."
– St. Francis de Sales
"Do not be afraid of a little suffering. It is a powerful means of grace."
– St. Thérèse of Lisieux
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself."
– Matthew 6:34
Spiritual Accompaniment:
A Bridge to Belonging & Healing
Integrating Spiritual Depth with Evidence-Based Care
My practice offers a unique bridge between ancient faith traditions and modern clinical insights. As a graduate student at the Catholic Theological Union in the Reconciliation & Restorative Justice program, I specialize in the sacred work of moving from brokenness to wholeness. Whether you are navigating the "Dark Night of the Soul," recovering from religious trauma, or seeking a deeper spiritual accompaniment, my goal is to help you find a sustainable peace that honors both your nervous system and your spirit.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Spiritual Accompaniment
Finding a therapist who truly understands the nuance of the LGBTQ+ experience through a spiritual lens can be challenging. I provide a specialized "lens" for those navigating their place within the Church. Deeply moved by the spirit of Fiducia Supplicans—the call to offer blessings and grace to all—I am committed to creating a space where your identity and your journey (wherever you are in your faith) are held with profound honor.
A Path of Accompaniment & Grace
My practice provides a non-judgmental, grace-filled space to explore your relationship with the Divine and the Church. Whether you are seeking healing from ecclesiastical wounds, looking to integrate your identity with your spirituality, or simply wanting a therapist who "gets" the nuances of Catholic life, I am here to walk with you.
Our focus may include:
Reconciling LGBTQ+ Identity & Faith: Moving from internal conflict to a state of integrated peace.
Healing from Religious & Ecclesiastical Trauma: Processing wounds inflicted by spiritual institutions with somatic care.
Catholic Social Teaching in Action: Integrating the pursuit of justice and the "preferential option for the poor" into your personal growth.
Restorative Justice & Grace: Navigating life’s transitions through a lens of reconciliation and the inherent dignity of the person.
Integrate
Faith & Therapy
Research shows that integrating a client's faith into therapy is not only effective for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, but is significantly more powerful in strengthening their spiritual life. By weaving prayer, Scripture, and tradition into the clinical process, we offer a holistic path that heals the mind while deepening your relationship with God.
“Simultaneous healing of the mind and the spirit.”
Moving from
shame to grace
We utilize Catholic frameworks to distinguish between guilt (an act) and shame (the self). By separating your actions from your intrinsic worth as a child of God, you can view struggles as opportunities for grace. We can even explore the "Sacramental model" of reconciliation as a path toward genuine forgiveness and new beginnings.
“You are an imperfect human striving for holiness.”
Identifying
Vocation & divine meaning
Reframe your personal struggles and unique gifts within the context of a divine plan. By exploring the Catholic concept of vocation, we can identify how your passions align with God's call for your life. This process fosters a spiritually grounded self-worth that moves beyond worldly validation and into your inherent meaning.
“Your life is not a random series of events.”
I’m here to help with:
+ Integrating Catholic Social Teaching into Action
+ Discernment & Vocational Clarity
+ Shame-Resilience & the Imago Dei
+ Intergenerational Healing & Family Reconciliation
+ Navigating Religious Trauma
+ Reconciling LGBTQ+ Identity & Faith
+ Scrupulosity & Religious Anxiety
+ Spiritual Desolation
If you’re ready to…
01
Move beyond the tension between who you are and what you believe. We will work to create an integrated life where your identity and your spirituality can coexist in a state of internal peace and dignity.
02
Process the "spiritual shock" of past religious trauma with somatic care. We will gently address the places where the Church has caused pain, allowing your nervous system to find safety again within your spiritual life.
03
Listen for your unique vocation amidst the noise of worldly expectations. By quietening your system, you can more clearly identify the passions and talents that align with your calling and your contribution to the world.
04
Navigate the complexities of life’s "gray areas" without the paralysis of scrupulosity. We will use a restorative lens to look at conflict and ethical choices, moving toward a conscience formed by mercy rather than fear.
…then let’s get to work.
because, At the end of the day:
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
-Psalm 139:13-14
-
St. Dymphna is my favorite saint to ask for intercession because of our shared Irish Catholic heritage and her powerful patronage. As the patron saint of mental illness, her legacy provides comfort and hope. I am particularly moved by the enduring tradition in the Belgian town of Gheel, where pilgrims seeking her intercession for mental health have been welcomed into residents' homes for over 500 years, a testament to her lasting influence. This unique history of communal care is a powerful example of her spirit in action.
-
I believe that the nervous system is the bridge between the soul and the world. Often, when we experience trauma or deep stress, our bodies enter a "survival mode" that makes it physically difficult to feel the peace or presence of God. By using Somatic Experiencing to regulate your nervous system, we are clearing the "noise" and preparing the soil of your heart. We don't just talk about faith; we work to help your body actually feel the safety and grace that your theology promises.
-
Absolutely. My practice is rooted in the spirit of Fiducia Supplicans and the principles of Restorative Justice. I recognize that the Church has, at times, been a source of profound pain as well as profound beauty. I provide a "trauma-informed" spiritual space where your identity is honored as a gift. We move at your pace, and you are never pressured to fit into a specific mold. Your journey of reconciliation or deconstruction is yours to lead; I am here to accompany you with grace.