At Cultivate Your Essence, we believe healing is more than symptom management—it's about reclaiming who you are. Our practice specializes in supporting Black women, professionals, adolescents, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, relationship challenges, burnout, and identity development. We provide culturally affirming, trauma-informed care that honors each client's lived experiences while empowering them to move toward healing, restoration, and personal growth. Whether you're seeking support during a difficult season or investing in long-term emotional wellness, we're committed to helping you become H.E.R.—Healed, Evolved, and Restored.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Group, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Children, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Black / African American, Christian, LGBTQ+, Military / Veterans, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) An evidence-based treatment for PTSD that teaches clients to reframe unhelpful thoughts about trauma. It helps reduce guilt, shame, and fear.
- Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) Builds skills in self-kindness and compassion toward others. It is especially helpful for people who struggle with shame or self-criticism.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Gestalt Therapy Encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. It helps people integrate different parts of themselves for wholeness.
- Integrative Therapy Combines techniques from multiple approaches into a customized plan. It adapts to each client’s unique situation and needs.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) A short-term approach focused on improving relationships and social support. It is often used for depression and grief.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Combines mindfulness practices with CBT to prevent depression relapse. It helps people notice thoughts without judgment and respond more calmly.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Helps parents strengthen their bond with their child while learning effective strategies to manage challenging behaviors. Through live coaching, parents practice positive communication, set clear boundaries, and build a more supportive, nurturing home environment.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Play Therapy Uses toys, games, and creative play to help children express emotions. It is especially useful when children can’t fully verbalize their feelings.
- Psychoanalytic Therapy Based on Freud’s theories, it explores unconscious conflicts and past experiences. It seeks to bring hidden issues into awareness.
- Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Relational Psychotherapy Emphasizes the healing power of the therapist-client relationship. It uses trust and safety as a foundation for change.
- Social Learning Therapy Based on the idea that people learn behaviors by observing others. It applies modeling and reinforcement to encourage healthy change.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: Our approach to therapy is collaborative, culturally responsive, and tailored to the unique needs of each client. We recognize that healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. Our clinicians integrate evidence-based practices including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and psychodynamic approaches. We work from a trauma-informed perspective that honors clients' lived experiences while helping them develop practical coping skills, deepen self-awareness, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 150
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Cultivate Your Essence is committed to increasing access to quality mental health care. Limited sliding-scale appointments may be available based on financial need, therapist availability, and clinical appropriateness. Sliding-scale rates are determined through an individualized review process. Clients are encouraged to contact our office to discuss current availability and eligibility requirements.
- Accepts Insurance
- We accept a variety of commercial insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Optum, Carelon Behavioral Health, and other participating plans depending on therapist licensure and state of residence. We also accept private pay clients and can provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement when applicable.
Education & Credentials
Cultivate Your Essence LPC, LCPC, MFT
- Female
- License # Illinois: 180.010875 Georgia: LPC013279
- Licensed in Illinois & Georgia
- Practicing Since 2018
Education: The clinicians at Cultivate Your Essence hold master's and doctoral-level training in counseling, social work, and related mental health disciplines. Our licensed therapists maintain ongoing continuing education and specialized training in trauma-informed care, anxiety and mood disorders, women's me
Cultivate Your Essence Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of Georgia, Illinois
- Online Therapy Details: We provide culturally responsive care via our telehealth platform Simple Practice.
Cultivate Your Essence is a boutique mental health practice serving clients throughout Illinois and Georgia through both virtual and in-person therapy services. Our team of licensed therapists provides culturally responsive, evidence-based treatment tailored to the unique needs of each client.
We specialize in supporting individuals experiencing anxiety disorders, depression, trauma, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship challenges, stress management, self-esteem concerns, women's issues, and identity exploration. We also provide therapy services for adolescents, young adults, adults, couples, and families.
Our therapeutic approach combines evidence-based interventions with compassion, authenticity, and cultural humility. We recognize that healing does not happen in isolation and that many clients seek spaces where they feel seen, understood, and validated. Our clinicians incorporate approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and trauma-informed care.
At Cultivate Your Essence, our mission extends beyond helping clients cope with challenges. We partner with our clients to help them heal from past experiences, develop healthier relationships, strengthen emotional resilience, and cultivate lives aligned with their values and purpose. We believe every person deserves the opportunity to become H.E.R.—Healed, Evolved, and Restored.