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Hey there! I’m Briana Kesterson, LCSW.

I’m a licensed therapist offering individual and family therapy in Illinois, supporting people who feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves. I have a Bachelor's in Clinical Psychology from the University of Illinois and a Master's in Social Work from Aurora University.

I work with children, teens, adults, and families navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, relationship challenges, and self worth struggles. Many of my clients come in feeling “too much” or “not enough” and together, we begin to understand how to better support the parts of you that learned to cope and protect just to survive.

As a clinical therapist with nearly a decade of experience I can truly say people can change their lives by coming to therapy. The therapist can be their guide or mentor to that change. My main area of focus these days is helping clients ages 10-30 with clinical treatment for ADHD, Anxiety, OCD, and Depression. I also focus on working with athletes and helping them manage the demands of performance.

I understand what it's like to feel overwhelmed, stuck, or constantly on edge. Maybe you're emotionally drained, unmotivated, overthinking everything, or simply not feeling like yourself anymore. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, family conflict, divorce, co-parenting, work stress, grief, low self-esteem, and major life changes. I also specialize in supporting individuals who have experienced unhealthy relationships, domestic violence, emotional abuse, or narcissistic abuse. My goal is to provide a warm, down-to-earth, nonjudgmental, and safe space where you can feel understood, supported, and comfortable being yourself. You're not stuck. Healing is possible, and you do not have to go through it alone. When you're ready to take the next step, I'd be honored to support you on your journey.

I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with a deep passion for helping individuals and families navigate cross-cultural experiences, identity struggles, life transitions, and academic or work-related stress. My personal and professional background has given me insight into the complexities of acculturation and balancing multiple identities. I strive to create a compassionate, affirming, and collaborative space where clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.

I help children, adolescents, and adults navigate anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, bipolar disorder, grief, and life’s challenges so they can feel more confident, resilient, and connected to themselves. If you’ve spent years taking care of everyone else and feel like you’ve lost yourself along the way, therapy can help you reconnect with your needs, build healthy coping skills, and move toward the life you want.

I believe meaningful change begins with feeling heard, understood, and accepted. My goal is to create a warm, affirming, and nonjudgmental space where children and teens feel safe being themselves while working toward positive change.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with more than 22 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in both school and mental health settings. I currently work in a school, helping students navigate social, emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges. I also have experience in an adolescent psychiatric hospital, where I supported teens struggling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

I understand the unique pressures young people face today—from school stress, academic expectations, and fitting in with peers to family conflict, identity development, anxiety, depression, and parental stress. My approach is affirming, strengths-based, and solution-focused, combining empathy and a genuine sense of humor. I believe therapy doesn't always have to feel heavy and that laughter can be an important part of healing. Together, we'll build on your strengths to help you feel more confident, resilient, and empowered.

Humility, honesty and humor are what I value most in my relationships with my clients to create lasting change. I work with people from a variety of backgrounds and genders, but I specialize in helping women heal from relationship and attachment trauma so they can overcome anxiety, navigate changes in their relationships and careers, reconnect with their sense of self, and create healthier, more fulfilling connections.

My other specialty is working with those in the helping professions to support them in advocacy and in overcoming compassion fatigue and burnout.

I got my MSW (Master of Social Work) at Aurora University to become a therapist in 2012. I got my start in community mental health, working in post-adoption and focusing on trauma and attachment work with families. I transitioned to private practice in September 2021.