Johanna Reedy

LSW

What got you into therapy?

I've always found value in helping others gather the tools they need to become independent and empower them to take control of their own healing and growth. Therapy is a great way to create a space for someone to be vulnerable while tapping into their strengths at the same time. Therapy combines my inclination towards strong communication and relationship building with my interest in providing feedback and tangible tools to someone to help them grow.

What is your area of specialization?

My areas of specialization are working with adults living or dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, substance use, self esteem issues, and sexuality/identity transitions. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed care to create a space for clients in which they always feel safe, heard, respected, and prioritized.

Therapy is a space where you're able to control the speed and trajectory of the work being done. I will be there to guide you and support you, but no direction is chosen or followed without your permission. Whether you're looking for a space to gather mental health tools to make life a little easier or simply for a space to vent, I'm here.

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Public Health with a minor in Education at Saint Louis University. After graduating, I completed a year of service in Spokane, Washington at Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington facilitating a job training program for folks who received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. I moved to Chicago in 2018 and started working with Housing Opportunities for Women as Case Manager in their Permanent Supportive Housing program. In this position, I worked with formerly homeless families and individuals to provide them with the resources, knowledge, and confidence they needed to change their circumstances and improve their quality of life. I completed my Masters Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Healthcare at Aurora University. While working on my masters at Aurora, I interned in the Emergency Department at Mount Sinai Hospital and provided support for victims of domestic violence, ongoing counseling for patients enduring a myriad of things, communicated with loved ones regarding a patient's condition and discharge plan, provided referrals for mental health services, medication, homemaker services, etc. and provided assistance in various other ways.