Dr. Aretha Steele

About Aretha

My approach

My approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive. I blend evidence-based strategies with genuine connection to help you understand patterns, process experiences, build healthier boundaries, and create meaningful change. Therapy isn't about fixing you. It's about helping you feel heard, supported, and empowered to thrive.

More background

You're Always There for Everyone Else. But Who's There for You?

On the outside, you might look like you have it all together. You're managing work, caring for your family, and showing up for everyone who needs you. People see you as strong, capable, and dependable.

But behind the scenes? You're exhausted.

Maybe your mind never quiets down, you're constantly putting everyone else first, or motherhood feels more overwhelming than you expected. Perhaps you've spent years pushing through difficult experiences, convincing yourself you're fine because you've always found a way to keep going.

Hi, I'm Dr. Aretha Steele. I'm a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and founder of Mindful Healing Counseling. I help women navigate anxiety, trauma, burnout, perfectionism, people-pleasing, relationship challenges, and the emotional complexities of pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THE STRONG ONE HERE

Many of the women I work with are used to holding everything together. They're mothers, high-achieving professionals, caregivers, and women who have spent so much time meeting everyone else's needs that they've lost touch with their own.

Sometimes anxiety looks like constantly preparing for the worst or replaying conversations long after they've ended. Sometimes burnout shows up as irritability, resentment, or feeling emotionally disconnected. And sometimes past experiences leave you questioning yourself, struggling to set boundaries, or feeling responsible for everyone else's happiness.

You might be adjusting to life after having a baby, navigating difficult family relationships, healing from trauma, or simply wondering why everything feels so much harder than it used to.

You can love your life and still feel overwhelmed by it. You can be successful and still struggle with anxiety. You can love your family deeply and still need space for yourself.

Whatever you're experiencing, you deserve support that makes room for all of you.

THERAPY WHERE YOU CAN FINALLY EXHALE

I believe therapy should feel like a genuine conversation, not another place where you have to perform, pretend everything is okay, or worry about being judged.

My approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive. Together, we'll explore the experiences, beliefs, and patterns that may be keeping you stuck while developing practical tools to manage anxiety, process trauma, establish healthier boundaries, and feel more confident navigating life's challenges.

I also recognize that culture, identity, family expectations, and lived experiences shape how we see ourselves and relate to others. These parts of your story deserve to be understood, not overlooked.

You don't have to arrive with the perfect words or know exactly where to begin. We'll figure that out together, at a pace that respects your needs and comfort.

Therapy isn't about fixing who you are. It's about helping you reconnect with yourself, understand your needs, and create a life that feels more like your own.

MORE WAYS TO FIND SUPPORT AT MINDFUL HEALING COUNSELING

I founded Mindful Healing Counseling because I believe finding a therapist who truly understands you shouldn't feel like another overwhelming task.

We're an inclusive online therapy group practice serving adults, teens, couples, and families throughout Illinois. Our diverse team of therapists supports clients navigating anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, burnout, relationship challenges, grief, major life transitions, ADHD and neurodivergence, pregnancy and postpartum concerns, and identity exploration.

We're especially committed to culturally responsive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and trauma-informed care. Whether you're a Black woman navigating the pressure to always be strong, a first-generation professional balancing family expectations, an LGBTQIA+ person seeking affirming support, or someone simply trying to feel more like yourself, you deserve care that honors your experiences.

Our goal is to help you find a therapist whose expertise, approach, and personality align with your needs. We offer convenient, secure online therapy throughout Illinois and accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and Aetna PPO insurance plans, along with self-pay options.

YOU DESERVE SUPPORT, TOO

Maybe you've been considering therapy for months, but keep telling yourself you're too busy, that other people have it harder, or that you should be able to figure everything out on your own.

But you don't have to reach a breaking point to deserve support.

You deserve to feel heard, to set boundaries without guilt, to experience relationships where your needs matter, and to find moments of peace without feeling like you should be doing something else.

You've spent so much time showing up for everyone else. It's okay to let someone show up for you.

If you're ready to take that first step, I'd love to connect. Whether we work together or I help you find the right therapist within Mindful Healing Counseling, you deserve care that feels like the right fit.

Meet Aretha

A short hello from Aretha

Specialties

Types of therapy

Who Aretha works with

Ages

Adults

Communities

LGBTQ+, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Non-Binary, BIPOC, Black / African American, Latino / Hispanic, Asian American, Indigenous / Native American, Immigrant, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Body Positive, Single Parents

Languages

English

Education and training

Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Illinois School of Professional Psychology

Certifications

Certified Clinical Trauma Professional

Gottman Trained Level 2