About Me
About Me
As a young child I remember being aware of my keen sensibility to feel other's p​ain. I also recall having a strong desire to give others hope, a desire that is still present to this day. It is a calling.
My clinical approach is nurturing, intuitive, and honest. As a therapist, I consciously help client's develop self-compassion, trust, and confidence. There is a tremendous joy I feel in helping others manifest their dreams and find a better work life balance. I find great joy in helping others learn the power of rest, and play. Patients describe me as intuitive, non-judgmental, warm, gentle, and funny.
I have a deep interest in Spirituality and have been inspired by Jesus, Father Thomas Keating, Thich Nhat Hanh, Mathew Fox, Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Rob Bell, and Richard Rohr. I am happiest in nature; for fun you will find me walking, reading, or baking.
Education and Training
Education and Training
In 2002 I received my undergraduate degree in History and Industrial/Organization Psychology from Saint Xavier University. In 2004 I received my Master's in Counseling from Adler University. While completing my master's degree, I co-facilitated parenting classes in a women's shelter in Englewood.
My career began in a community mental center in Cicero in 2003. There I remained for over 12 years. I held several roles including clinical supervisor, therapist, crisis worker, and community liaison. The complexity and intensity of the cases in community mental health provided me the opportunity to develop advanced clinical skills.
In addition to my formal education, I regularly attend rigorous evidenced based treatment trainings. I have a deep interest in spirituality, nutrition, and meditation and regularly attend holistic trainings as well.
- Domestic Violence Certificate via Connections for Abused Women and their Children.
- Level 1 Training in Affect Dysregulation and Survival Defenses and Traumatic Memory via The Sensorimotor Institute.
- Level I and Level II Gottman Couples Counseling
- Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist via the Wellness Institute.
- Relational Development, Rupture and Repair™ A somatic developmental perspective of attachment and bonding via Dave Berger and Abi Blakeslee.
- DaRe, Level I, III, IV. A somatic attachment repatterning approach based on Diane Poole Heller an expert in the field of attachment trauma.
- Body-Mind Psychotherapy a somatic-cognitive approach to psychotherapy developed by Susan Aposhyan.
- Individual and group crisis debriefing and defusing training via the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation.
- Certified Pychedelic assisted therapy provider via the Integrative Psychiatry Institute.
"I was a caterpillar when I met her. Now, I am a butterfly! Ana's extensive knowledge and keen insight as a trauma therapist helped me evolve emotionally to become a better and more loving mother and human being." M.J