Karla Avila-Polanco

Bio

It can be difficult to sit down with a random stranger and talk to them about what’s going on, your thoughts, your emotions, and your concerns. It can also be terrifying to know where to start. I am dedicated to supporting my clients by providing them with a space where we can take that first step together. I am committed to personalizing therapy to what is needed because as human beings, we’re all amazing and unique in our own ways. As such, there are multiple sides to us that are interwoven and connected.

I am currently earning my Master’s in Social Work with an Advanced Clinical Concentration at Syracuse University. It is my goal to help clients in numerous areas of mental health such as Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Stress, and many more. As a therapist, I use Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and behaviors. I also focus on bringing mindfulness into our sessions in order to bring more awareness to one’s thoughts, feelings, emotions, surroundings, and situations. It is my goal to hold a space for my clients in which they can feel welcomed and we can begin a process of healing and exploration.

In-network insurances

Blue Cross Blue Shield • Self pay

Specialties

Anxiety • Depression • Mindfulness • Self Esteem • Social Anxiety • Stress/Worry

Education and training

• DePaul University, Master's in Writing, Rhetoric & Discourse
• Columbia College Chicago, Bachelor's in Cinema Arts + Science

Languages spoken

• English
• Spanish

Pronouns

• she/her/hers