Therapist in Elmhurst, Illinois Athena Neofotistos, Therapist

Exploring one’s mental health is important and fundamental to living a balanced life. I believe in creating a compassionate and trusting environment for my clients to share their thoughts, which will in turn promote a safe space for exploring life’s challenges. I find that developing a strong rapport with my clients will help guide them to discover their own distinct coping skills. I am passionate about helping clients with their personal growth in order for them to feel fulfilled in their daily lives. My counseling approach utilizes an integrative array of therapeutic techniques to fit each individual’s unique needs. This includes person-centered therapy in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). I also incorporate mindfulness strategies, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and solution-focused techniques. For my graduate education, I attended Roosevelt University where I earned my M.A. degree in Clinical Psychology (Counseling Practice). I completed my bachelor’s degree at Loyola University Chicago with a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. My counseling experience consists of an internship at a therapeutic day school, extensive experience at pediatric-specific mental health and ABA programs, as well as outpatient clinic-based settings. I have experience in treating a variety of different mental health diagnoses, most specifically with anxiety-related disorders, and work primarily with children, adolescents, and the young-adult population. Outside of the therapeutic setting, I enjoy playing the piano, singing, and spending time with my dogs. I believe that self-care is important to harmonizing the work/life balance, so to achieve this I enjoy spending quality time with my family and attending yoga classes. Living in the Chicagoland area my entire life, I also love to visit Lake Michigan and view the beautiful skyline.