Are you or your child smart and sensitive but struggling with worry or unhappiness?

Do you or your child have intense interests that you focus on for hours? Do you struggle with making mistakes? Are you someone who seems like they have it all together on the outside, but on the inside you feel like you’re crumbling? Do you worry that you’re failing as a student, employee, friend or partner? Do you have trouble finding a therapist that you connect with?

I get it. I have seen the ways that gifted, ADHD and/or autistic adults and children often deal with intense emotions that are hard to handle. You may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to best support yourself or your child. I can help. I love this work because I get to see people transform and thrive.

Neurodivergent. Gifted. Autistic. ADHD.

(no test results necessary)

Individual and Family Therapy | Adults, Teens, Families, children 10+

tele-therapy Sessions | Illinois residents

Now Accepting New Clients

How therapy can help:

• Develop an improved understanding of how your brain works

• Learn to handle intense emotions using tools that are tailored for neurodivergent people

• Develop systems and strategies to manage areas of your life that feel chaotic

• Improve your relationships and find community

• Identify where you need support and accommodations and develop plan to address your needs

• Decrease stress and anxiety through self-compassion and advocacy

• Build confidence in strengths and abilities

I am a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, which means that I respect the self-determination of neurodivergent people and tailor my therapy approach to each client and what works best for their brain.

I see the people I work with as the experts on their experience and work collaboratively with them to address problems they need support with. I focus on self-compassion, neurodivergent-friendly coping tools, supporting sensory needs, accommodations and advocacy.

I am passionate about continuing to learn about neurodivergence from neurodivergent people themselves and research that is neurodiversity-affirming. I believe in the social model of disability and that there need to be societal changes to continue to improve the mental health of neurodivergent people.

Recent Media:

Mental Health Services for gifted, 2E, ADHD and/or Autistic children, adults and their families

I provide mental health counseling for:

• Neurodivergent (Gifted, ADHD, Autistic, 2E) children and adults struggling with emotion regulation, executive functioning, relationships and self-esteem

• Twice-exceptional adults and children (Gifted + ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, etc.)

• Gifted, ADHD and/or autistic women

• Children, teens and adults who have general anxiety, social anxiety, OCD and/or body-focused repetitive disorders (BFRBs)

• Families dealing with conflict and communication difficulties.

  I also offer presentations for schools, nonprofits and other organizations. Email me at aileen.kelleher86@gmail.com with any questions.

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Frequently asked questions:

How much do you charge FOR THERAPY?

Sessions are $195 for a 50-minute therapy session. I accept cash, checks and all major credit cards, as well as HSA/FSA cards.

do you accept insurance?

I am not in-network with any insurance plans. I am considered an out-of-network provider, which means some insurance plans will reimburse you a portion of my fee for each session. You can call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask about your “out-of-network” mental health benefits for therapy sessions. If you have out-of-network benefits, you would pay my full fee each session and then I would provide you with a statement or “superbill” that you can submit to your insurance company. They would then reimburse you for part of my fee. Out-of-network benefits can cover 50-80% of the cost of a therapy session.

WHAT is the age range of the children you see?

I find that I work best with clients ages 10 and up through telehealth.

Can you work with people who live outside of the State of Illinois?

My therapy license only allows me to work with people who live in Illinois.

Do you see clients in-person?

No, my practice is 100% telehealth.

Do you do gifted testing?

No, I don’t do testing or assessments, I only provide therapy.