Angie Whitfield, LCSW, CCATP (she/her/hers)
Therapist & Immigration Specialist
angie@counselingsolutionschicago.com

My Style

My style is warm, interactive, relational, and compassionate. I believe the therapeutic relationship is an important part of healing, and I want you to feel that you can be honest about what is working, what is not, and what you need from therapy. I strive to understand you as a whole person, with respect for the cultural identities, values, relationships, and life experiences that have shaped you. My multiethnic, multicultural, and global experiences also strengthen my ability to connect with and support people from diverse backgrounds.

My approach is integrative and flexible rather than one-size-fits-all. I thoughtfully bring together evidence-based therapies based on your needs, strengths, and goals. My work is informed by neuroscience, trauma, attachment, and nervous system functioning. Depending on what may be most helpful, I draw from CBT, ACT, DBT, Schema Therapy, mindfulness, somatic approaches, and parts work, including Internal Family Systems–informed interventions.

My Specialities / Area of Focus

Many clients come to therapy feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected — some understand what's happening but struggle to change long-standing patterns, while others simply know something isn't right and need a supportive place to start. I specialize in working with adults experiencing anxiety disorders, mild to moderate OCD, trauma and nervous system dysregulation, grief and loss, chronic medical conditions, perfectionism and overcontrol, difficult family and relationship dynamics, and stressful life transitions.

Together, we'll uncover what's driving your distress, find meaningful relief, and gently loosen patterns that once helped you cope but now keep you stuck — reconnecting you with your strengths, values, relationships, and sense of self. I am also Spanish-speaking and can incorporate Spanish into our work when helpful.

What I Want You To Know About Therapy

Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially when you have been carrying difficult thoughts, emotions, relationships, or experiences on your own. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin, and you do not need to explain yourself perfectly. You can start exactly where you are.

Therapy is a process, but it is your process. I see my role as your partner, collaborator, and guide—not as someone who assumes I know you better than you know yourself. We will work together to understand what you need and what meaningful progress looks like for you.

I hope therapy can become a place where you feel safe enough to be honest, understood without judgment, and supported in making changes at a pace that feels both helpful and manageable. Whether you are looking for practical tools, a deeper understanding of long-standing patterns, or a supportive place to begin, we will work together to determine what feels most meaningful to you.

Professional Background

I earned my Master of Social Work from Boston University and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional. I have worked in mental health and human services since 2003 in a variety of roles and settings.

I completed the International OCD Foundation’s General Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), an intensive program focused on evidence-based treatment for OCD and related conditions. I also completed the International Society of Schema Therapy’s 40-hour Schema Therapy certification training, along with advanced training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Gottman Level I and related trainings. I am currently completing additional training in Trauma Studies, ADHD and autism, and somatic approaches to therapy.

My broader training includes Motivational Interviewing, Exposure and Response Prevention, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, mindfulness-based and trauma-informed care, the Gottman Method and affair recovery, parts work, and Internal Family Systems–informed interventions.

Although my training allows me to draw from several evidence-based approaches, I do not expect you to fit neatly into a particular therapy model. I take time to understand the whole person and thoughtfully adapt our work to your needs, strengths, values, culture, and readiness for change.