Find the best therapist in Aurora, Illinois – without the wait

I am a dedicated social worker committed to helping individuals recognize their strengths and true resiliency. I strive to provide the tools and resources needed to navigate difficult times and to find positivity even in challenging situations. My work focuses deeply on supporting individuals experiencing anxiety and depression, and on helping them develop coping skills that strengthen their overall resilience. I look forward to building a strong, trusting relationship where individuals feel safe and comfortable bringing any concerns to our time together. Together, we will work toward meaningful solutions that create a hopeful and inspiring new beginning for anyone facing adversity. My primary goal is to offer support and empower every individual by the end of our work together. Each person I meet fuels my passion and dedication to the mental health field, and I remain committed to finding solutions and providing ongoing support for all.

I am a compassionate mental health therapist and Licensed Social Worker who earned my Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in mental health practice. I am deeply committed to supporting children, adolescents, adults, and older adults as they navigate challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, chronic illness, and emotional dysregulation. My clinical approach is grounded in empathy, cultural humility, and evidence-based interventions including CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. I strive to create a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel truly heard and empowered to explore their emotions, build coping skills, and strengthen self-confidence. My goal is to help every individual recognize their strengths, heal past wounds, and develop resilience to move toward personal growth and emotional well-being.

I enjoy working with children and adolescents, and creating a welcoming space where they can feel comfortable being themselves. I believe there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy, so I use an individualized, integrative style that meets each child where they are. By focusing on strengths, collaboration, and evidence-based practices, I aim to support emotional development, resilience and meaningful progress.

Dr. Mays helps people who’ve spent years putting themselves last finally prioritize their healing. With 20+ years of experience across psychiatric, substance use, child welfare, and forensic settings, she brings deep expertise to clients facing trauma, anxiety, depression, and overwhelming stress. Trained in Community Psychology, Counseling, and Social Work, she offers a compassionate, structured path to relief, resilience, and renewed well-being.

Darnise Horne, MSW, LSW is a Licensed Social Worker with a Master’s degree in social work from Walden University. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis on children, youth, and families at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale IL. Darnise has over 10 years of experience working with children and families. She began working with women and children at The Women’s Center, a domestic violence counseling center in Carbondale IL, leading personal empowerment and parenting groups. She went on to work in foster care with the most vulnerable populations, including clients who have experienced teen pregnancy, trauma, homelessness,and a variety of hormonal, emotional, and social changes as clients mature in a rapidly changing world. Darnise utilizes a multidimensional approach to therapy, exploring each individual’s biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs. She desires to come along side others to assist them in healing from trauma, building self-worth, improving communication in their relationships, and reaching their goals. The goal is to evaluate each person within their environment, provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.

I'm a bilingual (Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with children, adolescents, and young adults, along with the caregivers who support them. I believe therapy works best when caregivers are active partners, so collaboration is a big part of how I work. I use Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Alternatives for Families CBT (AF-CBT), Problematic Sexual Behavior TF-CBT (PSB TF-CBT), motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and play-based strategies to help young people process trauma, manage big emotions, and build healthier coping skills. My sessions are calm and supportive, while still engaging and age-appropriate. I work with children and teens experiencing PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, and other emotional or behavioral challenges. I chose this work because I’m passionate about helping children and caregivers heal together and feel more confident moving forward.

Elizabeth is a personable, authentic clinical social worker who leads with humor, connection, and genuine care. Trained at Boston College with a focus on Children, Youth, and Families, she specializes in supporting school-aged children through anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD, and self-esteem concerns. Her solution-focused approach empowers clients of all backgrounds to grow, feel understood, and build lasting self-worth.