Personal Statement
I see life as both beautiful and challenging. Some challenges are shared among a group of people while others are unique to an individual. I am passionate about working with people of all backgrounds and experiences. To be entrusted with your story is a tremendous honor to me. I especially love working with teenagers and young adults as we navigate identity development and adulthood. Witnessing your strength and resilience through various challenges is remarkable.
I moved from Wisconsin to Chicago a few years ago and currently reside on the southwest side of the city. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with loved ones and cooking. I’m a formally-trained photographer and an untrained dancer. Humor has become a sort of therapy for me as I’ve grown into adulthood.
Treatment Areas and Competencies
Anxiety
Depression
Sexuality
Identity Formation
Relationship Challenges
Emotion Regulation
Age-appropriate Trauma Processing
Community Trauma and
Crisis Response
Compassion Fatigue for Helpers
Approach to Therapy
My goal is to move with you in discovering your story and becoming more the person you want to be. The therapeutic process is centered on your values and goals for change. The first priority is for us to get to know each other. Like most relationships, knowing each other precedes and accompanies self-disclosure. I care deeply about our work together and most importantly, about our relationship. Laughter is an important part of therapy to me, and I value hearing updates on your week and current life events.
I customize the use of counseling tools in our sessions to fit your needs and learning style. I see the importance of the mind-body connection, and often incorporate breathing techniques and other mindfulness strategies in our sessions.
Treatment Modalities and Theoretical Orientations
Eye-Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
Person-Centered Therapy
Strengths-based Perspectives
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) interventions
Internal Family Systems (IFS) interventions
Education, Licenses and Certifications
- MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Moody Theological Seminary
- BS in Business Psychology from Charter Oak State College
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) – License #178.016597
- Level-3 certified Compassion Fatique Therapist (CFT) through the Green Cross Academy of Traumatology
What Clients Say About Ethan
I have been meeting with Ethan weekly for half a year, and am very thankful for his empathy and professionalism. Ethan conducts sessions with openness and patience, meaning I never feel pressured to speak or behave in a certain way. Even though we have been meeting online, Ethan is always present and perceptive to the nuances of what I am sharing.
He has helped me process many interwoven personal challenges and trauma (both past & present), and allows me to unpack many ugly feelings. Ethan adapts to all my moods. While there is a racial difference between us, I sense that Ethan is aware of the difference but does not pronounce it. Furthermore, Ethan is never presumptuous, despite clearly having his own wealth of personality/life/experiences.
Ethan is not afraid to speak plainly when necessary, and truly considers what I say in response. I really appreciate his insight and attentiveness, consideration that doesn’t make me feel like I am being observed or studied. Ethan’s concise recaps of what was discussed in sessions are very useful for me, during the course of the week.
This is my second try with individual therapy and I’m very grateful to Ethan for making it easy to commit to it. Although we discuss very emotionally heavy subjects, I never feel fatigued after meeting with Ethan, and now see the value of committing to therapy during all seasons of life—exhaustion, anxiety, and celebration.”