How I Can Help You

I specialize in professional counseling services for the whole family. I use relational and psychoanalytic approaches to the treatment of psychological and emotional disorders, relationship difficulties and parenting.

Psychosis

About one precent of the population in the United Stated struggles with schizophrenia.

Parenting

There is no school on how to be a good parent and how to cope with the stresses parenting puts on an individual.

Self Injurious Behavior

One of the most common symptoms, why people come for individual counseling, is some form of self-injurious behavior.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania (Hair-pulling)  Trichotillomania (from the Greek words “tricho” (hair) and “tillo” (to pull) – the act of pulling...

Trauma

  Coping with Trauma Traumatic experiences are often the cause of anxiety, depression, self-injurious behavior, substance abuse, acting out...

Eating Disorders

For many of us, food equals love. Yet, it is not about the food at all!

Depression

Many things can trigger stress reaction, including danger, threat, news, illness, etc.

Relationships

Loving each other makes it easier to solve the invariable issues that come up daily

​Mihaela Bernard, MA, LCPC

Licensed clinical professional counselor

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and a certified child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapist, specializing in working with children and adolescents, and parents of children and adolescents with special needs. Ever since I was a little girl, I had a passion for helping people. I dreamt of one day becoming a psychologist in private practice and advocating for the young members of our society and for the child, still living in the heart of every parent. I promised myself never to forget what it feels like to a be a child so that one day I can help parents and their young ones communicate, respect and love one another.

About Me

It's my goal to create a comfortable, safe environment, where we'll work to achieve the goal together
Moved To Chicago
Graduation From DePaul University
Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School
George J. Mohr Award Winner
I moved to Chicago in 2008 but am originally from Burgas, Bulgaria. .
I graduated with distinction from DePaul University’s Counseling Program in 2011 and completed my internship at Mt. Sinai Hospital Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic. For a short period of time, I was a mental health counselor at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital, where I worked on the inpatient units for children, adolescents and adults.
From 2011 until July 2014, I worked first as a counselor and then as a dormitory manager at the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School at the University of Chicago – a residential treatment program for emotionally disturbed children and adolescents, where I provided milieu, group and family therapy to the kids and their families.
I have been a therapist in private practice since the beginning of 2013 and have enjoyed collaborating with Uptown Psychiatry Specialists, Inc. for quality psychiatric and psychological care. I am a certified child and adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapist and a Professional Member of the American Counseling Association. The Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis awarded me with the George J. Mohr Award for my paper “A Case of Childhood Psychosis: The Emergence of the Subject,” which I presented at the 13th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis.

2008
2011
2014
2017

In my practice, I use the trusting relationship I build with you and your child to help you modify the way in which you relate to others and to improve the quality of your relationships. If your child needs psychological assessment to determine any special education needs, I have a trusted professional network of psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists that I refer to. In addition, I collaborate with the school social workers, special education team, counselors and teachers to provide high quality, practical and goal-oriented solutions for your child’s academic and social and emotional needs. You can find a detailed description of what to expect in child and adolescent psychotherapy here.

In my individual work with you or your child, I use my experience and knowledge on human development to create a space where change can occur. I believe that change happens when we understand WHY we behave and feel the way we do; when we increase awareness and control over our lives in a safe and trusting relationship with a therapist.

I provide this warm and accepting space for you and your child to speak about your struggles and be listened to in a way you have never been able to speak before – with no judgement, no expectations, no deadlines. We will work together, and I will use my knowledge and expertise to help you find your own way in parenting and relationships, not follow someone else’s prescriptions and preconceived notions about how you should parent and what you must do. Every child is unique just like every parent is unique so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to child & adolescent and family therapy, so I base my interventions on each individual child and family to best fit your psychological needs.

My work is based on ethics, professionalism and profound respect for the human condition. I am honored to be a part of my client’s lives and privileged to be able to help them and their families feel better and live happy, fulfilling lives. To make an appointment, click here

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Phone: 1-773-470-3106
110 E. Schiller St.
USA, Elmhurst, IL 60126