Tessa (she/ella) is a graduate intern therapist at Pure Health Center and is pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwestern University. She has a passion for cultivating empathic, culturally-affirming, personalized, and evidence-based care for every client. Tessa believes her clients are the experts of their lives and they have an inherent ability to grow, change, and achieve. She hopes to encourage every client to become their best self while facing their challenges and building upon their strengths. She has a special passion for creating a supportive environment where clients can openly and nonjudgementally explore their emotions, thoughts, identities, and true self.

Tessa is especially motivated to work with children, adolescents, families, couples, and individual adults. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Tessa has a special passion for supporting queer individuals and other marginalized groups, including the BIPOC and immigrant communities. As a white woman, Tessa learned Spanish during her undergraduate studies and speaks English and Spanish bilingually. She is motivated to ensure every client feels heard, understood, and welcomed in her therapy room. Her work is grounded in recognizing the roles of power, privilege, and oppression in clients’ everyday lives. Tessa is committed to providing care that goes the distance to fully understand her clients and the context of their lives. She remains committed to lifelong learning and professional growth to ensure her care is effective and inclusive. 

Tessa offers both in person and virtual therapy sessions at the Lincoln Park PHC location. Prior to pursuing her career as a therapist Tessa taught elementary, middle, and high school students. Outside of therapy, Tessa enjoys yoga, crochet, reading, baking, and exploring the city.

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