Vanessa Osmer

Starting therapy can be hard and it is brave to reach out for help during difficult times in your life. The truth of the matter is, healthy people ask for help when they need it. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, that is Nationally Certified (NCC). I strive to help clients feel safe and understood. I believe that connecting with my clients helps build a strong trusting relationship, which is an important predictor of success in therapy. I want my clients to know that I take their care seriously and I want each of them to recognize that I am invested in guiding them forward to reach their individual treatment goals. I am proud of the work I do and feel honored when clients trust me to be part of their journey. I do not believe that there is one single approach that is the “right” one for every individual, which is the reason I tailor my approach to each individual. I choose empirically validated treatments, which are therapeutic techniques that have been scientifically tested and have been shown to be valid and effective for the concern that is being treated. I often utilize techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. ​ My educational background includes a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Professional Psychology from Roosevelt University. I have worked in several settings to treat people of all backgrounds, including a therapeutic day school, community mental health, private practice and even with incarcerated individuals in a county jail. I am a co-owner of OakHeart and have the ability to treat individual clients (ages 10 and up), couples, and families with a variety of treatment concerns. I have a strong clinical interest in feeding and eating disorders, non-suicidal self-injury, exposure based anxiety disorders (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety and Phobias) and mood disorders. Furthermore, I have training in divorce mediation and I am equipped to help couples navigate the difficulties of separating their assets and debts in a way that feels fair and equitable to each party involved. If you are considering becoming a client of mine for counseling or mediation services, please set up an intake session to explore if we would be a good fit for one another.