I work with people who carry heavy things quietly. Many of the clients I work with are high-functioning on the outside but internally running on fumes from stress, trauma, and the relentless pace of demanding careers. This includes first responders, helpers, and professionals who are repeatedly exposed to high‑stakes, high‑stress environments. When you live in that space long enough, it changes you. The impact can show up as burnout, relationship strain, numbness, anxiety, anger, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself and the people you care about. My work is trauma-informed and rooted in real conversations. First responders and trauma-exposed professionals often carry invisible injuries: cumulative trauma, moral distress, emotional suppression, hypervigilance, and the constant pressure to be “fine.” Therapy creates a place where you can drop the armor, process what you’ve seen and carried, and build a healthier way forward without losing the parts of you that make you good at what you do. I work best with people who are ready to get honest, dig deeper, and do the work. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to show up. No performance required. Swearing is fine. Humor is welcome. Nothing needs to be polished before you bring it in. This is a space where you can be real. My practice is best suited for clients who are stable enough for outpatient therapy and ready to engage in consistent, meaningful work. If you’re in crisis or need a higher level of support, I’ll help you get connected to the right resources. Meagan’s Areas of Special Interest: ~Individuals and Couples ~Expert in drug/alcohol/gambling disorders in individual, group, and couples, and family settings using empirical-based approaches with supporting consents from: Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery, SMART recovery, harm reduction, Abstinence, and any family support groups (e.g. Al-Anon). ~DSM-5 TR Diagnosis (with a special focus on PTSD, depression, anxiety, & ADHD), ~Trauma: survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, veterans, affair recovery, recovery from narcissistic partners. ~Dating and premarital counseling ~Teens 15+ ~LGBTQIAA, ~Consensual nonmonogamy ~Recovery from unhealthy relationships ~Empowerment Training: ~B.S. From U of I, Champaign-Urbana IL ~M.A. From Adler University, Chicago IL ~Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) ~Illinois Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) ~Problem and Compulsive Gambling Counselor (PCGC) ~40-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training ~Gottman Level One Trained ~Polyamory in Therapy