Linda Gonzales, MSW, LSW, Therapist in Naperville, Illinois

As a therapist, I look forward to establishing strong working rapport with my clients. I have clinical experience working with children and teens from my years as a school social worker, supporting students and their families in various areas including, but not limited to anxiety, depression, trauma, LGBTQ, and relationship conflicts. I have worked with clients from early elementary school age throughout the lifespan and have personal understanding about the sometimes complex struggles of changing family needs. I believe in the strengths-based perspective, utilizing tools such as CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, solution-focused therapy and play therapy. I help my clients identify and understand any triggers and work toward developing a choice of coping skills appropriate to and acceptable by the client. I have experience as foster parent support specialist, as an adoptive parent and as a former foster parent. This included gaining great insight on how to best support needs regarding attachment issues, cross-cultural and transracial needs within a family, as well as grief and loss issues. This life experience is the reason I chose to become a social worker. I have had diverse work experiences as a social worker, including teaching at the community college level and working in UK Child Protection supporting intact families. My work experiences gives me a more well-rounded perspective when working with my clients. Each one of us has a story which has strong meaning for us in one way or another. My goal is to guide my clients on a path of understanding and positive growth with their own unique life story.