IN-PERSON IN CHICAGO & EVANSTON
TELEHEALTH IN ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, and TEXAS
Catholic 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
"Don't spend your energies on things that generate worry, anxiety, and anguish. Only one thing is necessary: lift your spirit and love God."
– St. Padre Pio
My catholic journey
My journey in the Catholic Church began at birth with my baptism, a deep-rooted connection that has been a constant throughout my life. This faith is not just a belief system for me; it's a part of my heritage, with my ancestral ties to the Church tracing back nearly 400 years. As an active member of my Catholic faith community, I've had the privilege of serving in various parish ministries, which have enriched my understanding and commitment. This lifelong involvement gives me a unique perspective on the Church's teachings and traditions, and I bring this deep, personal history to my work.
As an LGBTQ Catholic, I have a unique lens and firsthand experience with the struggles of feeling uncertain about my faith or my place within Catholicism. I understand the pain and complexity that can arise when personal identity and religious beliefs feel at odds. This personal journey has given me profound empathy and insight into the challenges many face. It is through this lens that I can truly appreciate the grace of Pope Francis’s Fiducia Supplicans declaration. My husband and I were blessed to experience this grace directly when our marriage was blessed by our priest, a moment that beautifully affirmed our love within the Church.
y dedication to serving others is a core part of my Catholic identity, exemplified by my proud membership in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. As a Vincentian, I'm committed to serving those in need, an act of faith that puts Catholic social teaching into action. This commitment to community and service extends to my counseling practice, where I offer a supportive and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their own faith journeys. I believe that through compassionate guidance, we can all find a place of belonging, healing, and peace within our faith.
Integrate
Faith & Therapy
Therapy that intentionally integrates a Catholic client's faith is not only as effective as secular approaches in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, but it is also proven to be significantly more effective in strengthening their spiritual life. Research has consistently demonstrated that this integrated model provides a unique and powerful benefit, allowing for the simultaneous healing of the mind and the deepening of one's relationship with God. By incorporating a client’s spiritual beliefs and resources—such as prayer and Scripture—into the therapeutic process, Catholic psychotherapy offers a holistic path to healing that a purely secular approach may not.
Navigate
Guilt & Shame
By incorporating Catholic frameworks like the distinction between guilt (a feeling about a specific act) and shame (a feeling about one's entire self), clients can learn to separate their actions from their intrinsic worth as a child of God. This approach can help them recognize that we are all imperfect humans striving for holiness. The Sacrament of Reconciliation, for example, offers a powerful model for understanding genuine repentance, forgiveness, and new beginnings, which can be explored metaphorically or directly within therapy. Ultimately, this integration allows clients to view their struggles not as irredeemable flaws, but as opportunities for grace, growth, and a deeper relationship with both God and themselves.
find
purpose & self
Discover a deeper sense of purpose and cultivate greater self-confidence by integrating the principles of their faith into the therapeutic process. This approach helps individuals reframe their personal struggles and unique gifts within the context of a divine plan, recognizing that their life has inherent meaning and is not a random series of events. By exploring Catholic concepts like vocation, clients can identify how their talents and passions align with God's call for their life, whether in their career, family, or community service. This process fosters a sense of uniqueness and divine purpose, moving beyond worldly validation to a deeper, spiritually grounded self-worth.
I’m here to help with:
+ LGBTQ+ Identity & Catholicism
+ Grief & loss
+ Finding purpose
+ Seeking catholic community
+ Pre-marital counseling
+ repair & forgiveness
+ navigating doubt
+ deepening practice
If you’re ready to…
01
Navigate the intersection of Faith & Identity.
02
Heal from possible Church-related wounds.
03
Find your God-given purpose & meaning in life.
04
Address Moral & Ethical Dilemmas you are experiencing.
05
Embrace your personal vocation with the Catholic faith.
…then let’s get to work.
because, At the end of the day:
"If God causes you to suffer much, it is a sign that He certainly intends to make you a saint."
-St Ignatius of Loyola
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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.
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Yes, absolutely!. As a member of the LGBTQ community, there have been many times when I've struggled with a sense of belonging. However, I have come to believe that these periods of desolation are a normal part of the spiritual journey, just as St. Ignatius taught that "the ebb and flow of consolation and desolation is the normal path of the Christian life."
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My prayer life is a fluid and evolving practice, intentionally shifting day by day to meet the needs of each moment. I find it beneficial to pull from many different traditions rather than adhering to a single, strict routine. Some days, I enjoy praying the Franciscan Rosary while walking or reading the Daily Roman Missal, while on others, I will journal on the day's Gospel in the tradition of Lectio Divina. In addition, I often pray a novena when I am seeking special guidance or protection from God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the saints.