Therapist – Inside Family Counseling, LLC

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.I moved to Chicago in 2008 but am originally from Burgas, Bulgaria. Since then, 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.

My mission is to empower, support and guide children and adolescents, and parents of children and adolescents with special needs, facing emotional and behavioral difficulties at home or at school. I feel honored and privileged to be able to live my childhood dream and to provide hope, compassion and positive change to my clients.

You can read an interview I gave for “Clinicians on the Couch” for Psych Central here.

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.