“Disordered eating, perfectionism, and anxiety are often survival strategies — not flaws — shaped by a nervous system that has worked hard to protect you.”
Hi, I’m Courtney.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist + Consultant (CEDS-C) in Illinois. I specialize in working with teens and adult women healing from trauma, eating disorders, and the lasting impact of chronic stress on the nervous system.
Many of the clients I work with feel stuck in cycles of anxiety, perfectionism, food and body shame, emotional overwhelm, or disconnection from themselves. Sometimes this shows up as restriction, bingeing, rigid control, or body image distress. Other times it looks like people-pleasing, avoidance, or a harsh inner critic. Beneath these patterns, there is often a nervous system that learned early on to stay vigilant, guarded, or self-protective.
What you’re experiencing makes sense in the context of what you’ve lived through.
I provide trauma-informed, HAES-aligned care that helps you understand how your experiences shaped your relationship with food, your body, and yourself. Therapy with me is not about willpower or fixing behaviors in isolation. It’s about gently processing the experiences that wired your system for survival — and helping your body learn that it is safe to soften.
My work is grounded in Internal Family Systems (IFS), which helps you understand the protective parts of you — the perfectionist, the restrictor, the bingeing part, the overachiever, the critic — and reconnect with your core Self. I also integrate EMDR, CBT-ED, and DBT to support trauma processing, emotional regulation, and sustainable recovery.
Together, we focus on nervous system regulation, embodiment, and rebuilding trust in your internal cues. As shame decreases and self-understanding grows, change becomes less about force and more about integration.
My style is warm, collaborative, and curiosity-driven. We move at a pace that feels safe while still creating meaningful change. I believe healing is not just about reducing symptoms — it’s about developing a regulated, compassionate, and grounded relationship with yourself.
If you’re looking for trauma-focused therapy that honors the mind-body connection and supports whole-person healing, I’d love to connect.
