Dani Kallis, ma, LPC, atr-p

(she/THEY)

Languages: English

* Welcome *

Your brain may be buzzing with worry, feeling overwhelmed with day to day tasks, or the urge to run away from what is making you feel this way. You could even be feeling afraid or scared of the thoughts that are coming up in your mind, making the sadness harder to carry or making you feel more tired. It can be exhausting to hold that pain alone but you deserve a reliable, affirming space so you can let it all out, get steady and find balance.

* My Focus *

I specialize in complex trauma, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and queer identity development. I emphasize that creativity is at the center of our work together. Although it is not a requirement to identify as an artist to work with me, I will always encourage you to be creative with your coping skills and processing. I help people engage with a deeper understanding of their inner world and parts of self as a foundation for creating lasting change that they want to see in their lives. I enjoy helping clients who may have felt stuck in talk therapy and need to find a new way to communicate things that lay heavy on their chest.

* My Approach *

My therapeutic work is centered on existential psychotherapy and art therapy. My life experiences have taught me that art gives us an additional place to express pain or things that feel stuck inside. I believe that our pain is the place where art begins and that any type or form of art media can be a container to hold the hurt for us as we heal. Through art therapy, I offer prompts, material exploration, and structured projects to enhance your care and growth. I am passionate about increasing access to art making and have experience working with disabled individuals. I also find myself drawn to working with internal family systems, narrative therapy, attachment theory, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and feminist therapy. As an eclectic therapist, I am focused on finding the best approaches for your specific needs within that I want to center that you are the keeper of your story and will be directing our path forward.

* My Philosophy on Therapy *

Therapy is not always going to be comfortable but you don’t have to go through that alone. I am here as a checkpoint and guide to help you explore your own story. I believe that we exist at the corners of our intersecting identities and that the best work happens when all of our parts are invited to the table.

* Credentials & EXPERIENCE *

  • LPC in Illinois

  • MA in Counseling, Adler University

  • ATR-P (Registered Art Therapist - Provisional)

Prior to beginning my journey to becoming an Art Therapist, I worked as safety staff within an inpatient mental health facility. I worked with folks through a range of crises from depression to psychosis through the lens of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).