All Parts of You Are Welcome Here.

Welcome. My name is Tess (they/she) and I live in Chicago, Illinois. The word I like best to describe my role is facilitator: I am here to facilitate relationships between your Self and all the parts inside you. Many of us move through this life without feeling connected to our Self, our clarity, our spirit, our wise one within. Experiences of pain, loss, and oppression create challenges to maintain connection to Self. When we do not have access to our Self, we feel lost, empty, hollow, alone. But when we feel the warmth of Self, we feel capable to handle life and its pains and mysteries. I will share my Self energy with you alongside therapeutic tools, approaches, and techniques to support you in this chapter.

I specialize in eating disorders and body image concerns in the queer and trans community. My therapeutic approach is gender affirming, trauma-informed, non-pathologizing, fat positive, and grounded in the recognition that broader sociopolitical forces are interconnected with mental health. In addition to eating disorders, I work with LGBTQ+ identity exploration, anxiety, depression, CPTSD, suicidality, neurodivergence acceptance, and relationship challenges. I collaborate with individuals to nurture their inner voice and discover their own version of balance. Overall, my goal is to foster a transformative space that is safe, non-judgmental, and compassionate.

I have previous experience in private practice, eating disorder residential & PHP, and university settings. Alongside my clinical work, my work as an LGBTQ+ educator, researcher, and youth mentor have nurtured my community-oriented and systems-critical therapeutic approach. I received my M.S.W. from University of Michigan in 2022 and my B.A. from Northwestern University in 2019. I am a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois and am IFS Level 2 trained.

Outside of work, I engage in my own healing journey, walk along the lakefront, play volleyball, eat yummy food, paint and collage, spend time with my partner, and cuddle with my cats. I am in a constant state of evolution, seeking to live in alignment with my values.