Greetings! I’m Vanessa, also lovingly referred to as Ness, V, Vane, and Vanessita; a black woman, Afro-Latina, child of immigrants, Cancer sun, plant medicine lover, and many other things I’m still discovering :)

As an eldest daughter in a household of 6, I learned to be a confidant amidst the chaos. I place great emphasis on the relationships I build with clients as I believe deep healing is achieved through cultivating a secure bond where your nervous system gets to rest. That may include building trust through hard conversations and sitting in messy truths; however, my goal will always be to provide you a space where you can experience non-judgmental, reparative, and compassionate care. I have a strong commitment to providing therapy that feels inclusive and continuously evaluates ways in which oppressive systems surrounding us may be undermining that goal.

I work with individuals and relational systems (couples, polycules, families, friends, etc.). Although my degree is in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University, I much prefer the term Relational Therapist as it is more inclusive of the diverse relational structures and clients with which I have the privilege to work. 

Along with my training in evidence-based and trauma-informed models of therapy, I continue to seek holistic teachings beyond formal institutions as well as collab with clients to expand my understanding of what healing can look like; embodying joy and play along the way!