Kathy Smith, MS, LPC

Introduction: My specialties include ADHD, academic underachievement, addiction, adoption, alcohol abuse, Alzheimer's, anger management, antisocial personality, anxiety, Asperger's syndrome, autism, behavioral issues, bipolar disorder, borderline personality, children or adolescents, chronic impulsivity, chronic pain or illness, chronic relapse, codependency, coping skills, depression, developmental disorders, divorce, domestic abuse, domestic violence, drug abuse, dual diagnosis, eating disorders, emotional disturbance, entitlement, family conflict, gambling, grief, infertility, Internet addiction, learning disabilities, life coaching, mental retardation, narcissistic personality, obesity, obsessive-compulsive (OCD), oppositional defiance, parenting, peer relationships, self-esteem, self-harming, sexual abuse, sexual addiction, sleep or insomnia, substance abuse, suicidal ideation, teen violence, testing and evaluation, trauma and PTSD, video game addiction, and weight loss. My career in psychology began with a graduate study at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago, IL), which included a certificate in trauma-focused behavioral therapy, followed by completion of a master of science degree in clinical psychology from Benedictine University (Lisle, IL). I am a member of the Illinois Counseling Association as well as the Association for the Development of the Person-Centered Approach. My practice is grounded in positive, humanistic values that encourage personal growth and healing with a variety of treatment modalities. I believe each client deserves the most effective treatment tailored to his/her unique personality and circumstances. Many different issues can be addressed in counseling sessions and may be appropriate for short-term solution-focused techniques, time-limited cognitive behavioral strategies, narrative therapy, skill-building exercises from the dialectical behavior therapy approach, or long-term supportive psychotherapy. If you are thinking about beginning the inner quest of counseling, I am here to walk with you on your journey.