Lexi Dunne, B.S.

Hi! My name is Lexi, and I am in my final year of my Master of Social Work program at the University of Chicago. Prior to beginning my Master’s program, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development as a Youth and Community Studies major from the University of Texas at Austin. Within this major, I completed a Youth and Social Services professional concentration and also graduated with minors in both educational psychology and sociology.

I believe that the relationship between the client and the therapist is one of the most powerful aspects of treatment. During our time together, I will work to create a safe environment that is tailored specifically to you, in which we can build rapport and establish an authentic therapeutic relationship. I am eager to utilize my passion, empathy, and education to help you work towards your goals and feel like the truest version of yourself.

I am passionate about working with children and adolescents, as I believe the resiliency, curiosity, genuineness, and ability to learn and grow of the still-developing individual make therapeutic intervention all the more transformative and effective. Throughout my education and field work, I have developed a deep understanding of the connections between play, learning, and healthy living for youth and have learned theories and evidence that allow me to advocate for the importance of play in childhood. I am interested in play therapy, a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children, and I hope to become a Registered Play Therapist in the future.

Prior to joining DASC, I had experience working as a clinician with youth in Chicago’s foster care system. Outside of clinical work, I am passionate about addressing the inequalities in resources and opportunities that exist within public schools and early childcare centers. Working towards creating equity in resources among schools in all neighborhoods will help reduce the lifelong gap that forms between children who attend schools in economically disadvantaged areas and their counterparts who do not attend underfunded schools.

When I am not at school or work, you will likely find me out and about with my dog, Shiloh! I love to find new parks and neighborhoods to walk her around, and I really enjoy exploring parts of Chicago that I haven’t been to before. My family and friends are the most important people in my life! My favorite ways to spend time with them are going to farmers markets, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, or having a chill night at someone’s house. A few final things about me: I grew up dancing competitively and still enjoy watching dance performances and shows; my favorite type of podcast to listen to is true crime; I have a passion for philanthropy and am always looking for new opportunities to give back to others; and I love music, specifically anything Taylor Swift!