Casey McEllen, LCPC (She/her)

Co-Director of Mood Disorders and Trauma Program

Values: Compassion, openness, self knowledge, passion, authenticity

Looking for a therapist can feel like a daunting and overwhelming process, and I want to acknowledge the courageous choice to begin the journey.

My name is Casey (she/her/hers), and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. Each day, clients amaze me with their internal strengths, resilience, and resources they already posses, and I work with them to bring those strengths into awareness. I take client’s unique experiences into context and work collaboratively with them to identify goals and skills will work best in their lives. I integrate different approaches and modalities into therapeutic work incorporating psychodynamic, behavioral, and body centered approaches to treat the whole person. Taking a strengths perspective, I believe awareness and the knowledge of self is the first step in creating lasting changes and work with clients to invite curiosity and openness to reflect how they may live more inline with their values. As a Level Two Sensorimotor Psychotherapy practitioner, I work with a bottom up approach to reduce somatic symptoms, promote emotion regulation, and process memories and core beliefs. I also incorporate ACT, CPT, ERP, DBT and RO-DBT skills to empower clients to feel a greater sense of agency in their journey. I believe radical authenticity, mindfulness, compassion, and humility are integral traits of a therapist, and work to foster a therapeutic space for individuals to increase self knowledge and cultivate self-compassion.

I received my masters in counseling from National Louis University. I am trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP) with advance training from Janina Fisher in complex trauma and dissociation, and I am level one trained in Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment. I am also intensively trained in Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT). From my experience working as a medical advocate for sexual assault survivors, as well as with diverse populations including homeless and disabled young adults, I am passionate about inclusive and equitable care and work to provide individualized care to each person I work with. Through my personal journey, I continually work on increasing self knowledge and promoting inclusion, equity, and social justice while recognizing the intersectionality and impact of sexuality, gender, race, age, ability, and culture in mental health. I have experience working with teens, adults, as well as a group facilitator. While I have clinical training working with depression, anxiety, bipolar, eating disorders, OCD, and personality disorders, my passion is on helping clients connect with their bodies and form a deeper connection and understanding of themselves to promote healing.

Education:

DePaul University: BA in English Literature
National Louis University: MS in Counseling

Favorite Quotes:

“The most profound personal growth does not happen while reading a book or meditating on a mat. It happens in the throes of conflict— when you are angry, afraid, and frustrated, It happens when you are doing the same old thing and you suddenly realize you have a choice.” – Vironika Tugaleva
“One small crack does not mean you are broken, it means that you were put to the test and didn’t fall apart.” – Linda Poindexter
If you’re going through hell, keep going
“Without our emotions, we can’t make decisions; we can’t decipher our dreams and visions; we can’t set proper boundaries or behave skillfully in relationships; we can’t identify our hopes or support the hopes of others; and we can’t connect to, or even find, our dearest loves.” – Karla McLaren, The Language of Emotions

Insurances accepted:
BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, United, Sliding Scale When Applicable

Contact
Contact Casey McEllen, LCPC
caseymcellen@dascchicago.com