ONLINE THERAPY IN CHICAGO & ACROSS ILLINOIS

Talk to Someone Who Gets It.

Culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy for BIPOC & LGBTQ+ cycle-breakers.

We help you move from carrying it all to relief you can actually feel.

✔ In-network with BCBS & Aetna

✔ No code-switching required

✔ Real relief — not just talk

✔ Virtual therapy that fits your real life

Let’s Be Real…Sometimes You’re Carrying A Lot

Sometimes therapy is the kindest thing you can do for yourself.

Other times?

You need therapy to deal with the people in your life who won’t go to therapy.

We get it.

You might be the one everyone turns to — the one who holds everything together, even when it’s costing you more than anyone sees.

You don’t have to carry all of this by yourself anymore.

Hispanic woman's hands holding a coffee mug during a calm moment, symbolizing online therapy support for anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm in Chicago and Illinois.

You’ve Been the Strong One for a Long Time.

You’ve learned how to hold everything together.

And, on the outside, you’ve mastered the art of being "fine."

You show up.

You get it done.

You navigate a world that wasn't exactly built for you.

Whether you’re the first in your family to make it this far, or the only one in the room who looks—or loves—the way you do, you’ve learned to carry the weight of everyone’s expectations.

But inside?

You’re tired in a way that sleep won't fix.

Not just busy.

Not just stressed.

You're exhausted from living in survival mode for far too long.

If you’re being honest, you aren't just overwhelmed.

You’re tired of being the backbone for everyone else while having no one to lean on yourself.

Our therapists help people who are used to being the strong one finally have a place where they can be supported too.

We’re here to help you actually feel better — not just “cope” better.

Hispanic woman sitting on a couch with a journal and eyes closed, reflecting after online therapy and self-care in Chicago and Illinois

Nothing is wrong with you.

You’ve tried the podcasts.

The journals.

The “powering through.”

From the outside, it looks like you have everything figured out.

But people don’t see the cost.

Maybe you’ve learned to hide your needs, soften your voice, or code-switch parts of who you are just to stay safe or keep the peace.

And still the racing thoughts and heavy feeling remain.

The truth is, you can’t seem to shake the weight of it all.

The Mental Loops

A mind that refuses to quiet down, especially at 2am.

The Second-Guessing

Constantly wondering if you’re doing "enough."

The Waiting

Even when things are good, you’re bracing for the other shoe to drop.

A mask icon, representing identity and culturally affirming care in Illinois

The Mask

The exhaustion of performing just to stay safe.

The Weight

Carrying expectations from family and community that were never yours to bear.

Why We Started Mindful Healing Counseling

Black woman and Asian man walking through a park, representing diverse clients seeking online therapy in Chicago and throughout Illinois

The goal of therapy isn’t just to help you ‘just get through it’. It’s to help you actually feel good…deeply, honestly, and in a way that lasts.”

Dr. Aretha Steele, Founder and Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Black woman sitting on the arm of a couch laughing while using a laptop, representing online therapy for Black women in Chicago.

We do therapy differently.

Because the old one-size-fits-all model of therapy wasn’t built for people like you.

You deserve more than a therapist who simply nods and listens.

You deserve someone who understands the layers you’re carrying — identity, expectations, pressure, and the constant responsibility of being the strong one.

At Mindful Healing Counseling, therapy is both deeply human and deeply intentional.

Our licensed therapists use evidence-based approaches that help calm the nervous system, reduce overthinking, and create real change in daily life.

Starting Therapy Is Easier Than You Think

We know you already have a lot on your plate. We’ve made this part simple.


01

REACH OUT

Fill out our quick form. No "perfect words" required.

02

GET MATCHED

We hand-match you with a therapist who fits your goals, your identity, and your needs.

03

FIND RELIEF

Begin virtual sessions from the comfort of home.

What Therapy Is Actually Like Here

Real Conversations

You won’t get vague responses or surface-level advice. Our therapists are warm, thoughtful, and engaged. We are people who truly listen and respond in ways that help you move forward.

Practical Change

Insight matters, but so does relief. We integrate evidence-based approaches that help calm your nervous system, reduce overthinking, and create meaningful change.

A Space That Was Built With You in Mind

Mindful Healing Counseling was founded by a Black woman who understands what it’s like to move through spaces where you’re often the only one.

We created the kind of therapy space many of us had been searching for — a place where your experiences aren’t dismissed, ignored, or minimized.

Our work is grounded in cultural awareness, trauma-informed care, and genuine understanding of the pressures many people carry every day.

If you’re looking for a trauma-informed therapist in Chicago or culturally responsive therapy anywhere in Illinois, you belong here.

What Our Therapists Help With


MEET YOUR THERAPISTS

Healing starts with feeling safe

Our team of therapists is intentionally chosen for their warmth, clinical skill, and deep respect for the people they serve.

We provide culturally responsive online therapy in Chicago and throughout Illinois for adults, teens, and couples seeking support for anxiety, trauma, stress, burnout, identity concerns, and relationship challenges.

This is a space where you are seen, valued, and welcomed, exactly as you are.

  • Muslim American female therapist providing online therapy in Illinois, offering culturally responsive mental health support.

    Samreen Ahmed, LSW

    Culturally responsive care for real life stress

  • Trans therapist offering queer and LGBTQIA+ affirming online therapy to clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

    Therin Slayton, PsyD

    LGBTQIA+ & neurodiversity-affirming care

  • Black female therapist providing online therapy in Illinois, supporting women navigating anxiety, trauma, body image concerns, and life transitions.

    Summer Stewart, PsyD

    For adults tired of carrying it all

  • Hispanic therapist providing online therapy in Chicago and Illinois, supporting clients with anxiety, trauma, depression, and life transitions.

    Fabiola Felix, MSW

    Support for identity, stress, and transitions

  • Black female psychologist providing online therapy in Chicago and Illinois, supporting clients with anxiety and trauma.

    Aretha Steele, PsyD

    For adults ready to stop surviving and start feeling more like themselves again

Insurance Information

We’re in-network with the following PPO plans. If you’re not sure contact us. We are more than happy to check coverage.

Please note: We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare at this time.

Chicago skyline representing culturally responsive online therapy services in Chicago and Illinois

Online Therapy Across Chicago and Throughout Illinois

Our therapists provide virtual therapy for clients across Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding Illinois communities.

Many of our clients live and work in areas such as:

Chicago Neighborhoods

  • West Loop

  • Lincoln Park

  • Lakeview

  • Hyde Park

  • Logan Square

  • Beverly

  • Wicker Park

  • South Loop

Illinois Communities

Online therapy allows you to access culturally responsive, trauma-informed care without commuting across the city or rearranging your entire day. Whether you’re in downtown Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, our therapists are here to support you.

Common Questions About Therapy

  • Yes. Our licensed therapists provide secure online therapy for clients across Chicago and throughout Illinois. Virtual sessions allow you to meet with your therapist from the comfort of home, without commuting across the city or rearranging your entire schedule. Many clients find online therapy just as personal and effective as meeting in an office.

  • Yes. Many of our therapists are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO (BCBS) and Aetna. Before your first appointment, our team can help verify your insurance benefits so you know what to expect. If you have questions about coverage, we’re happy to help walk you through the process.

  • Starting therapy with us is simple. Just complete our short therapist matching form, and our team will review your responses and connect you with a therapist who fits your goals, identity, preferences, and availability. We take care to match clients with therapists who feel like a good fit from the start.

  • Our therapists support clients navigating a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, trauma, burnout, relationship challenges, identity stress, and major life transitions. Many of our clients come to therapy feeling overwhelmed from carrying a lot on their own for a long time. Therapy can help you process what you're going through and find healthier ways to move forward.

  • Yes. Our practice was intentionally built to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and first-generation clients. We understand that identity, culture, and lived experience shape mental health in important ways. Our therapists work to create a space where you can show up as your full self without needing to code-switch or explain your experience.

    We are also an inclusive space where people of all identities are respected and welcomed.

  • In many cases, new clients can schedule their first appointment within one week, depending on therapist availability. After you complete the therapist matching form, our team will follow up with available appointment times so you can choose what works best for your schedule.

  • Yes. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress. The most important factor in therapy is the relationship you build with your therapist. Virtual sessions allow you to receive the same professional support while meeting from a comfortable and private environment.

  • Many people start therapy when they feel overwhelmed, stuck, or tired of carrying everything on their own. You don’t have to be in crisis to benefit from working with a therapist. Therapy can be helpful if you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, relationship stress, identity challenges, or simply want more support navigating life.

  • The cost of therapy can vary depending on insurance coverage and the therapist you work with. All of our therapists are in-network with BCBS PPO and Aetna, which may significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Our team can help verify your benefits before your first session so you have a clear understanding of what therapy will cost.

Ready to set that weight down?

You’ve carried this for long enough.

It’s time for someone to be there for you.

You deserve a life that feels lighter, calmer, and more fully your own.