About Us

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Marine Corp Veteran.  After completing active-duty military service, I went on to obtain a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University, and a Doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision from Governors State Unversity. Serving in the military enabled me to travel to various places around the world. During my travels, I learned from, interacted, and worked with people of various cultures and ethnicities. I continue to be open and interested in learning about what is unique to you.

​I have experience working in mental health, as well as substance abuse. I’m passionate about working with Veterans, adolescents (10 and up), and adults, as well as individuals, families, and couples. Life gets tough sometimes and as much as some people would like to handle it themselves know that its ok to ask for help. I work with individuals to assist in getting through those tough times and develop or enhance skills that will assist them throughout a lifetime. I work with every individual to help them build on their strengths and work towards achieving their goals.

I am also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders.

For more information, here’s a link to my Psychology Today Profile.

My name is Kathy O’Connor, I have my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University Chicago. I realize it can be intimidating coming for counseling but I believe that I exude a calm and inviting aura. I strive to create an open and safe environment where empathy, honesty and collaboration are of importance. You’ll learn to manage anxiety/depression by developing and utilizing coping strategies and improve your interpersonal relationships through positive and effective communication.

Experienced In:
Grief, anger management, self-esteem, coping with life changes, attachment issues, codependency, impulsivity, isolation/loneliness, social anxiety

Clinical Approaches:
Client – Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution – Focused Brief Therapy

We each have our own unique journey in this world, but we do not have to travel it alone. Life can sometimes throw us off course and challenge our ability to maintain happiness and fulfillment. My goal is to be a supportive aid to individuals during these difficult times by use of professional therapeutic knowledge and most importantly, through partnership, shared compassion, hope and belief in the person’s ability to remember how incredibly capable they are. I help children, adults, and families to find self-awareness, emotional intelligence, health in relationships, and to through empower them as they take back control of their lives.

My professional qualifications were awarded as a Master degree of Clinical Social Work from Chicago State University in Chicago, IL. Skills acquired include trauma-informed and culturally sensitive counseling, case management, and advocacy services for survivors of trauma, intimate partner violence survivors, and at-risk youth. I use my experience, an open mind, and creative holistic approaches to provide person-centered, strength-based, and trauma-focused care with the use of different evidence-based therapeutic techniques. I also specialize in treating several mental health issues including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and as an advocate and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I provide therapeutic support to meet their unique needs.

For more information, here’s a link to my Psychology Today Profile.

Clinical Approaches:
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychotherapy and CBT, Bowen family systems therapy

Experience working with:

• Trauma
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Depression
• Stress management
• Grief & Loss
• Social Emotional Skill Training
• Domestic Violence
• Individual and group therapy
• LGBTQIA+ youth

I believe that a strong transparent therapeutic partnership is essential to the goal of healing.

I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Throughout my career I have been very fortunate to gain years of experience working in a multitude of settings which include, SMRF’s, non-for-profits, hospitals. etc. I have worked with clients from ages 5 to 75+, applying varying therapeutic modalities to meet clients where they are in both English and Spanish.

Clinical Approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Supportive-Expressive Therapy

Experience working with:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Substance Use
• Trauma
• Domestic Violence
• Anger Management
• Stress Management
• Individual and group therapy
• Pediatrics
• Adolescents
• Adults
• Geriatrics

 
Creo que una asociación terapéutica fuerte y transparente es esencial para el objetivo de la curación.

Obtuve mi licenciatura y maestría en la Universidad de Illinois en Chicago. A lo largo de mi carrera, he tenido la gran fortuna de adquirir años de experiencia trabajando en una variedad de entornos que incluyen SMRF, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y hospitals, etc. He trabajado con clientes desde los 5 hasta los 75 años, aplicando diferentes modalidades terapéuticas para adaptarme a sus necesidades tanto en inglés como en español

Enfoques clínicos:
Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual, Terapia Dialéctica Conductual, Terapia Cognitivo-Conductual Centrada en el Trauma, Entrevista Motivacional, Terapia de Apoyo-Expresiva

Experiencia trabajando con:

• Ansiedad
• Depresión
• Consumo de sustancias
• Trauma
• Violencia doméstica
• Control de la ira
• Manejo del estrés
• Terapia individual y grupal
• Pediatría
• Adolescentes
• Adultos
• Geriatría