Hello there, I am Abby!

As a cisgender woman who is queer, of mixed heritage, and living with a disability and chronic illness, I understand that navigating identity in the context of our binary-focused culture can be complicated. Our identities are often so nuanced, complex, at times label-defying, and fluid.

I practice from an anti-racist, intersectional, inclusive, trauma-responsive, liberation-focused framework. I understand how embodying intersecting identities impacts our experiences of discrimination and oppression in this world and invite your full lived experience to our sessions.

I aim to create a nurturing space for self-exploration and healing in our work together. I believe therapy is a place where we get to be our full selves, discover who we are, develop deeper understandings of our values, build skills, and learn together.

My goal is to offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space, where you are welcome to fully be yourself. It seems in therapy sometimes folx feel like they must “be put together” or express themselves “perfectly,” but I would like to offer that you are truly welcome as you are each time we meet. There is never any expectation for you to express yourself in a certain way and your experiences are met with truly open arms. I believe there’s no “right” way of being and that there is no linear path to healing. I believe in the benefits of incorporating harm reduction on all journeys alongside recovery (eating disorder and otherwise). If we work together, you’ll sometimes hear the invitation to “let it rip!” as I invite you to share where you are exactly as you are. My therapy style is relational and led by compassionately deep care for my clients. We often make each other laugh and find joy alongside the difficult moments in life as well.

Being alive is wild and beautiful, but also not without confusion, pain, and grief. You may be grieving a loved one, struggling with disordered eating, experiencing body image concerns, or navigating gender identity or sexuality. You may be experiencing difficulty coping with chronic illness, PCOS, infertility, or a disability. Or perhaps you’re struggling with transitional life experiences, problems with your relationships, journeys into new parenthood, or experiencing other mental health concerns. Whatever brings you here, please know this is not a walk you have to take alone. We can figure out life together if you feel like we’re a good fit!

Some other fun things to know about me:

I live in Illinois on a little farm. In my free time you’ll find me outside loving nature, tending to the prairie, and planting flowers! Sunflowers, aster, and dahlias are some of my favorite varieties. I love spending time with my cats (Al and Richie), goat (Maya), my black sheep (Sunny), chickens, and baby ducks. I enjoy spending time with my family and losing myself in laughter with friends. I love to write. I’m also fond of the arts and love using prairie plants and flowers as natural dyes for textile work. I am heartfully fond of children and love hosting days on my farm where the community kiddos can run free, connect with animals and nature, and release their inner wild (and their parents, too!).

‍I am under the clinical supervision of Neathery Falchuk, LCSW-S.