Katie is the practice owner and an individual psychotherapist.

Katie earned her Masters Degree in Social Work from Aurora University and holds an active license in Illinois as a clinical social worker.

Katie is also a certified clinical trauma professional and has experience in multiple levels of care & therapeutic settings

Katie’s background also consists of several years of nonprofit case management, managing a shared housing department, hospital case management and crisis response. Katie is also trained to work with victims of DV and SA.

“I know starting therapy can be really unsettling - especially if it is your first time or if you’ve tried it and had a bad experience. I get it - It’s hard to open up to a stranger during your darkest moment. I’m here to meet you where you are at. We can tackle this thing together. You are in the driver seat - I’m just here to help navigate along the way.” - Katie

Therapy with Katie is chill and comfortable. Eat a snack. Yell. Swear. Cry. Laugh. Bring whatever you’d like with you. Come as you are.

Out of the office - Katie loves spending time with her husband, 2 kids (toddler & a teenager… mom life), 2 cats and 1 pup. She relaxes to trashy reality TV (#bravogirly). Born and raised on the southside of Chicago, she loves to enjoy all the fun activities southwest subs can offer.

Rachel is a dedicated therapist with a strong emphasis on empathy and client-centered care. Her practice is rooted in the belief that each individual is unique and deserving of a tailored therapeutic approach that honors their personal experiences and perspectives. Rachel is committed to creating a warm, non-judgmental, and supportive environment where clients feel safe to explore their thoughts, emotions, and challenges openly.

Rachel works with children, adolescents, couples, and families, supporting individuals and relationships navigating mood disorders, anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, codependency, substance use, parenting challenges, and grief. Her approach is deeply empathetic and collaborative, focused on understanding each client’s experience from their point of view. She incorporates an attachment-based lens and emphasize the development of healthy communication skills to strengthen relationships and foster emotional connection.

“By focusing on strengths and fostering self-awareness, I help individuals, couples, and families build insight, improve communication, and develop healthier coping strategies. Whether working individually, as a couple, or within a family system, my goal is to support clients in navigating life transitions, processing loss, strengthening relationships, and cultivating emotional balance and resilience.”

Rachel accepts private pay as well as BCBS & Aetna insurance plans.

Outside of her work as a therapist, Rachel values balance and connection. She enjoys spending time with her two Frenchies, connecting with friends and family, seeing new movies, sewing, and practicing yoga. These interests help ground her and reinforce the importance of mindfulness, creativity, and meaningful relationships—values she also brings into her therapeutic work.

With a strong commitment to empathy and compassion, Rachel strives to create a space where clients can express their authentic selves, explore their inner world, and develop the tools they need to lead fulfilling, balanced lives.

Best-friend energy. Therapist credentials.

Kandice is the person who will absolutely let you sit cross-legged, ramble a little, and swear if that’s your thing.

Her approach to therapy is relaxed, real, and lightly sarcastic—think best-friend energy with a clinical degree. Kandice believes healing happens best when you feel safe, understood, and just challenged enough to grow (without feeling judged, talked down to, or like you’re “doing therapy wrong”).

She works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, grief, relationship stress, parenting overload, and major life transitions.

Kandice has a special place in her heart for caregivers who are exhausted, women navigating pregnancy or postpartum shifts, and folks healing from domestic violence, sexual abuse, PTSD, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.

“In our work together, we’ll focus on coping skills that actually work in real life—managing stress, improving sleep, setting boundaries, regulating emotions, strengthening relationships, and quieting that brain that won’t shut up at night. I’ll support you, validate you, and yes—gently call you out when it helps you move forward. Growth doesn’t have to be miserable, but it does require honesty. I’m also proudly sex-positive and kink-allied, offering a judgment-free space to talk about relationships, identity, intimacy, and whatever else you’ve been told you “shouldn’t” talk about.

Whether you’re coming in for yourself, your child, or your relationship, my goal is simple: help you feel more confident, capable, and grounded—so you can live your best life, not just survive it.

Come as you are. We’ll figure it out together.” - KRL

Kandice accepts private pay as well as BCBS, Aetna & UHC. insurance.

Samantha Jankosky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois who is passionate about helping children, adolescents, and their families feel understood, supported, and empowered. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of St. Francis and has an additional background in psychology and special education.

Samantha currently works as an elementary school social worker and has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents. She enjoys partnering with families to help children build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and navigate challenges both at home and at school.

Samantha has worked with children who have experienced trauma, as well as those who may need additional support with anxiety, depression, executive functioning, social skills, or anger management.

Samantha takes a person-centered, strengths-based approach to therapy. She believes every child and family has unique strengths and perspectives, and she works to create a safe, supportive space where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves.

Samantha understands that growth looks different for everyone and strives to meet each client exactly where they are in their journey. When working with children, Samantha often incorporates play-based strategies to encourage connection, creativity, and open conversation. As she often says, “Some of the best and most eye-opening conversations happen over a game of UNO.”

Outside of her work as a therapist, Samantha enjoys reading mystery novels, watching romantic comedies, attending concerts, listening to music, and cheering on the Chicago Blackhawks. A fun fact: Samantha attended college on a theater scholarship for her behind-the-scenes work as a production manager, stage crew member, props assistant, and set build designer.

Sam accepts BCBS, Aetna & UHC as well as self pay.

Lea works with individuals ages 15–40 (and welcomes clients of all ages) who are navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, depression, trauma, and career-related concerns. Many of Lea’s clients come to therapy feeling stuck or uncertain, seeking support that is both compassionate and practical while exploring coping skills that can be used in everyday life.

Lea brings experience integrating CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Person-Centered Therapy, EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy), and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), as well as mindfulness, grounding exercises, therapeutic art tools, and reflective practices. Her approach emphasizes that healing isn’t linear — some sessions may be deeply reflective or challenging, while others may bring laughter, insight, or relief. She aims to meet clients where they are, honoring what they need in the moment, and supporting them in reconnecting with their inner clarity, resilience, and balance.

In her work, Lea supports clients in building self-awareness, navigating major life transitions, processing trauma, exploring career and life purpose, and developing stronger coping skills. She creates a space where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered to move forward with confidence and self-compassion.

Lea is also certified in Reikie Therapy Levels 1-3 which adds to her hollistic approach to treating humans.

Outside of work, Lea enjoys time with her tuxedo cat, being in nature — whether it’s relaxing in a hammock, fishing, camping, hiking, or simply soaking in her surroundings — enjoying coffee shops, experiencing live music events, and getting lost in a good book or movie.

Lea accepts private pay and BCBS and Aetna insurance.

Erin believes that one of the most important parts of therapy is feeling comfortable and safe with the person sitting across from you. Her goal is to create a space where clients feel accepted, respected, and able to show up exactly as they are. She works with both children and adults navigating a wide range of challenges, including life stress, transitions, anxiety, grief, identity exploration, relationship concerns, and the everyday tasks that can begin to feel overwhelming.

As a queer woman, Erin is especially passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ clients who are exploring identity, relationships, self-acceptance, or the experience of moving through the world as their full selves. She also supports clients through grief and loss, approaching this work in a way that feels collaborative, grounded, and paced to meet each person where they are.

Erin earned both her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago. Her clinical training includes working with LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults at Center on Halsted, as well as supporting individuals and families at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab as they adjusted to major life changes related to health, recovery, and independence. These experiences continue to shape her interest in identity, grief, resilience, and helping clients feel supported through moments of transition.

Her approach to therapy is interactive, warm, and rooted in cultural humility. Erin’s style is conversational and collaborative, helping clients reflect while also identifying tools they can use outside of session. She brings curiosity and respect to the ways identity, family, community, and lived experience shape each person’s story. In her work, Erin hopes clients feel supported, less alone, and more connected to themselves

Erin accepts private pay and BCBS and Aetna insurance.

Brittany is our office manager & head biller - any billing needs, questions, concerns, denials etc. will all be managed by Brittany.

Brittany checks insurance benefits for all clients and submits all claims so you don’t have to worry about a thing! Even if your insurance tries to give you a hard time, Brittany will advocate for you!

You can reach her by email at info@thrivingdaisiestherapy.com

Office Therapy Dog

In training :)