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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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GET MATCHED
We hand-match you with a therapist who fits your goals, your identity, and your needs.
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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.
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Samreen Ahmed, LSW
Culturally responsive care for real life stress
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Therin Slayton, PsyD
LGBTQIA+ & neurodiversity-affirming care
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Summer Stewart, PsyD
For adults tired of carrying it all
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Fabiola Felix, MSW
Support for identity, stress, and transitions
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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.
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
Orland Park
Mokena
Palos Heights
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.