Therapy for Veterans in Peoria, IL
For the women who served and are still carrying more than they let on. Online sessions available across Illinois & all PSY-PACT eligible states.
Few people understand the weight you carry every day.
From the outside, everything looks fine—maybe even great. You’ve worked hard, manage responsibilities well, and have the image of someone who can handle whatever gets thrown their way. But inside, there’s a pressure building that’s getting harder to ignore. People say you’ve changed or that you’re hard to reach—and maybe they’re right. It’s all mixed up with exhaustion, irritability, and disconnection from your partner, your coworkers, and even yourself.
And maybe you’re starting to notice things you don’t like. You’re snapping at people more (even some of your most favorite people), struggling to turn your brain off, or drinking more than you used to. Even in the most crowded of rooms, you feel alone and misunderstood.
You’ve been through some intense things—maybe during your military service, maybe before that (or since)—and you’ve gotten very good at compartmentalizing. Pushing through. Handling your shit quietly. But at some point, that strategy stops working. And if you’re here, maybe it already has.
You could be here because…
Tension is constant and you can’t ever fully relax
You’re exhausted no matter how much you sleep
Work is burning you out, especially when it doesn’t line up with your values
You’re struggling in your relationship—too much distance, too many fights
People say you’re “too much” or “hard to read”
You feel out of place in civilian spaces
You’re relying on drinking, weed, or distractions to get through the day
Some of the things you’re carrying have never been said out loud (and never felt safe to)
My Approach
I understand this landscape inside and out.
I spent over a decade working in the VA system, and I know how it can feel to be handed a worksheet instead of a conversation or to be told you’re “done” when you’re just starting to scratch the surface. I also know how important cultural competency is when it comes to military life—how often therapists don’t get it, and how frustrating (or even re-traumatizing) that can be. I bring that experience with me, but in a very different context. Here, you’re not just another file. This is your space built around you.
We’ll start with three initial sessions to see if we’re a good fit and give you some room to show up without feeling like you need to unload everything at once.
We’ll explore your relationships, work stress, family dynamics, identity shifts, and the parts of military service that might still be affecting your present. If you’ve done therapy before, we’ll talk about what worked (and what didn’t), and what kind of support you’re looking for now.
We’ll also build clarity around what “feeling better” means to you—not just “functioning” or “checking the boxes,” but actually living in a way that aligns with your values. If you need more structure, we can do that. If you need more flexibility, we can do that too. But more than anything, this is relational work. Human-to-human. No BS, no hierarchy, and no pushing you to talk about things you’re not ready for. This work can be challenging, no doubt. But it’s also where the shift becomes possible—the kind that finally brings your system out of survival mode and back into a fulfilling, meaningful reality.
The difference therapy can make:
Knowing how to respond to stress instead of always reacting
Living by your values (not just your obligations)
No longer relying on alcohol, cannabis, or other substances
More patience at home, at work, and with yourself
Letting your guard down without the fear that everything will fall apart
Better sleep and a less anxious mind
A clearer sense of what you want in this next season of life
Learning to relax and take care of yourself
Less second-guessing and more trusting your gut
You already know what you’ve been through. Let’s find out where you’re headed next.
Let's do this
Let's do this
FAQs
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Not unless you want to. I’m not here to force things out of you. We’ll always go at a pace that feels safe and manageable. If it never feels helpful to go into details, that’s okay too. We’ll focus on how your experiences are showing up in your life now, and what you want to do about it.
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I’ve spent years working with Veterans inside the VA, and I get how frustrating it can be to feel like just another name on a caseload. This isn’t that. Our work is personalized, relational, and built around what actually matters to you—no checklists, no scripts, and no timelines to meet. You get exactly the kind of time and space you need.
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I don’t share anything with the VA—ever—unless you choose to. I do keep basic records for our work together, but unless you ask for a superbill (for insurance reimbursement), there’s no need for a formal diagnosis. You’re in control of your information here.
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Absolutely. And we can talk about what it means for you, including any concerns about confidentiality or impact. I’m here to help you take care of yourself—not to report anything back.
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While trauma is often part of the picture, it’s not always the whole thing. We can also work on burnout, relationships, identity shifts, anger, anxiety, substance use, or just the feeling that something’s “off.” You don’t need a big, dramatic reason to be here. If you’re struggling, that’s reason enough.
You can learn more about my trauma work HERE.