The courage to show up for yourself is the ultimate act of strength and self-love. I recognize and the strength it takes to seek counseling services and commend you for investing in yourself. My name is Katie Bangs and I received my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Concordia University. I am awaiting to receive my official license by the State of Illinois. I value the importance of creating an emotionally safe and judgment free space to navigate this process. My goal is to meet each client where you are in your journey and provide trust, empathy and compassion to further explore and understand your thoughts, emotions and experiences. I have experience supporting individuals process complex trauma, adverse childhood experiences, grief/loss, life transitions and strained family relationships. While exploring the impact of these experiences, clients discover inner-strength and resilience to face future adversity. I completed my graduate internship at Northwestern Medicine’s partial hospitalization program. Working with individuals at this level of care, I developed a variety of therapeutic skills such as mindfulness practices, nervous system dysregulation skills, how to emotionally regulate and mind-body practices. I worked with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, mood disorders, codependency, chronic pain, self-harm and suicidal ideation. My counseling approach is very person-centered utilizing a variety of treatment modalities. I value a holistic healing approach utilizing evidence- based practices building from a trauma informed approach to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) while being attentive to the impact of one’s early attachment. With a background in health and fitness, I bring awareness to the physiological symptoms that are often a result of repressed emotions and experiences. Wherever you may be in your journey, you are never alone. The ability to ask for help is a sign of true strength and resilience. I accompany adolescents and adults to challenge limiting beliefs, reframe change as opportunity and prioritize the most important relationship in this life, the relationship with yourself. I am currently accepting clients at our Mount Greenwood and La Grange offices. I can be reached at katieb@beginwithinchicago.com or 312-380-1067.