Sarah Vassileff, LPC, EMDR

Staff Psychotherapist (EMDR Trained)

info@kozioltherapyandcoaching.com

 (224) 504-9854

I’m excited and pleased that you have made your way over here. I obtained my Master’s Degree in forensic psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. I completed my clinical training at Hartgrove Psychiatric Hospital where I had the opportunity to work with diverse populations, including children, adolescents, and adults of which presented with an array of comorbid diagnoses and complexities. My clinical areas of strength include childhood trauma/Complex PTSD/PTSD, dissociative disorders, depression/anxiety, personality disorders, relationship issues, life transitions, self-esteem/shame, and issues surrounding intimate partner violence. I work with the adult population. I practice from a culturally competent and integrative perspective and also speak Bulgarian.

It can be difficult to balance our internal safety and values with all the external commotion out in the world. A sense of disillusionment occurs when our external desires do not meet our internal needs. I am interested in the intersectionality between systematic and individualized trauma and the way in which trauma and adverse life events create disconnection and misalignment within one’s body and mind. It takes vulnerability to seek therapy and be willing to achieve alignment. My primary goal is to collaboratively find ways for you to achieve an internal sense of safety, both in your mind and body. I focus heavily on self-esteem as it relates to excessive moods, personality shifts, and maladaptive thinking patterns. I will also work with you in finding and adjusting conflictual relationship patterns, which negatively impact communication, intimacy, and balance.

My therapeutic approach is integrative and rooted in trauma-focused, psychodynamic, and humanistic/interpersonal foundations. I am trained in EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing), and am passionate about helping clients work though past trauma. Part of my approach focuses on bringing awareness to the client’s strengths and capabilities when challenged with various hardships in life. We will explore your difficulties by deconstructing maladaptive narratives, focusing on relationships (past and present) which led to disruptions in your self-esteem and self-concept, and work toward strength-based narratives to help shape you in your journey in attaining a healthy self-concept. 

My approach is collaborative and I walk with you in processing past experiences to identify their influence on your current view of self, your mindset, and maladaptive patterns holding you back. I work with you to help define or redefine your best self. Your feelings of internal safety are at the forefront of improving your self-esteem, which guides your ultimate well-being. With this in mind, we will collaboratively embark upon your journey towards alignment and wellness.

If you are interested in scheduling an initial session with Sarah, please email us at info@kozioltherapyandcoaching.com and a member of the admin team will lead you through the scheduling process.

We look forward to hearing from you.