Heather Hollysmith (She/her)

Accepting Clients

I am passionate about thinking systemically; meeting you where you are and helping you become who you want to be.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Illinois

Services
  • Individual
  • Couples
  • Family
  • Child
  • Adolescent/Teen

About My Clients

Are you and your partner always bickering? Struggling to connect? I work with couples to help stop the fighting and improve communication and connection. I have expertise related to many couples issues including family planning, infertility, and parenthood. Or perhaps you're feeling lost and insecure in your own identity or place in the world? Together we can help you gain clarity on who you are and want to be and help you bring this best self to your work and personal life.

My Background and Approach

I have my MA in clinical psychology as well as my MS in Marriage and Family Therapy. What this means for you is that I've spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs of what makes people tick and relationships work. In session, I take a very client centered and collaborative approach. You are your own best expert on yourself and this journey is about what you want! I pull from my trainings in Gottman relationship therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy (including Emotionally Focused Therapy for individuals) to help provide concrete tools, while also helping explore underlying patterns. I work from a trauma-informed approach and have helped countless people work through their trauma histories. Together, we'll learn about your patterns, what's worked, and what has gotten in the way of you being your best most connected self.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe we are all doing our best in a tough world. I believe we all want to be loved, seen, and accepted by those around us. I believe in equality. I believe Trans lives matter, black lives matter, and we all need to do a better job and supporting our fellow humans. Outside of the therapy room, I am a mom, wife, and a dog owner. I like to run, dance, and do artsy crafty things. I am also queer and bring life experience around queer parenting and family planning.

Techniques I Use

Specialties
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Relationship Counseling
Other Techniques
  • Attachment Theory
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Collaborative Couple Therapy
  • Couples Counseling
  • Culturally Sensitive Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Eclectic Therapy
  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Family Systems
  • Family Therapy
  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy
  • Harm Reduction Therapy
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Relational Therapy
  • Person-Centered (Rogerian)
  • Internal Family Systems
  • Discernment Counseling
  • Trauma Therapy
  • Sex Therapy
  • Relationship Counseling

Issues I Treat

Specialties
Gender Identity Therapy Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma Relationship Issues
Other Issues
  • ADHD Therapists
  • Adoption Issues
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment
  • Bipolar
  • Body Image Issues
  • Child Issues
  • Chronic Pain or Illness
  • Codependency
  • Depression
  • Divorce
  • Eating Disorders
  • Family Conflict
  • Gender Identity Therapy
  • Grief or Loss
  • Historical/ Intergenerational Trauma
  • Infertility
  • LGBTQ-Friendly Therapists
  • Marriage Counseling
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Parenting
  • Personality Disorders
  • Polyamorous and Open Relationships
  • Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Relationship Issues
  • Self-Esteem
  • Self-Harm
  • Sexual Abuse or Assault
  • Sexual Problems
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Teen Issues
  • Women's Issues
Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
I offer online counseling in the following states:
I have experience with the following
  • Agnosticism
  • Buddhism
  • Christianity
  • Interfaith

At A Glance

  • Experience: 16 years of practice
  • Rate: $125 - 175/session

Reach out to Heather