About Mindful Healing Counseling
Culturally affirming online therapy in Illinois for anxiety, trauma, and the weight of carrying it all alone.
You’ve spent long enough being the strong one.
Now, let’s focus on you.
At Mindful Healing Counseling, your story matters—and you deserve a space where you don’t have to "perform" wellness.
We know asking for help isn’t easy. Maybe you’re the one everyone leans on—the reliable daughter, the "fixer" in your friend group, or the person who holds the family together. But inside, you’re feeling worn down, overthinking everything, and just... empty. Whatever you’re carrying, you don’t have to do it alone anymore.
Our mission is simple: To create a space where you are truly seen, where your culture is honored, and where healing happens at your own pace.
You’re in the right place if...
Your mind won't stop racing: You’re tired of the "what-ifs," the overthinking, and that constant feeling that you’re about to drop the ball.
You’re the "go-to" person for everyone else: You’re the one everyone leans on, but you have nowhere to take your own stress.
You’re navigating heavy expectations: You feel the pressure of family loyalty or cultural "rules" and you're trying to figure out how to be yourself within them.
You’re tired of "masking": You want a space where you don't have to perform or put on a brave face just to be accepted.
You want a therapist who "gets it": You’re looking for someone who understands your background and identity without you having to explain it for the hundredth time.
An Inclusive, Affirming Approach to Therapy
You deserve therapy that celebrates every part of who you are. At Mindful Healing, we provide:
Therapy that honors your roots: You won’t have to "translate" your culture or justify who you are. Our therapists understand the intersection of identity and resilience.
A place to finally rest: We specialize in helping people move out of "high-alert" survival mode and into a state of genuine peace.
Affirming care for every identity: We provide a dedicated, safe haven for the LGBTQIA+ community to heal without having to defend who they are.
Care for the whole you: We don’t just look at symptoms. We look at the "generational weight" and the daily stresses that show up as tension in your body.
A Note from Our Founder
I know exactly what it’s like to feel like you have to have it all figured out.
First, welcome. I’m so glad you found us. I started Mindful Healing because I was tired of seeing people get 'clinical' care that didn't actually see them. I wanted to build a place where you don’t have to have the 'right' words or put on a brave face.
As a Black woman and a psychologist, I know what it’s like to feel the pressure of being 'on' all the time. I know how much it matters to have a therapist who doesn’t just have a degree, but who actually understands the weight you’re carrying.
My goal is to make therapy feel real, approachable, and, most importantly, safe. You don’t have to keep doing this by yourself. When you’re ready to set the heavy things down, we’re right here to walk with you.
Warmly,
Dr. Aretha Steele, PsyD
Founder of Mindful Healing Counseling
The Right Therapist Makes All the Difference
Finding a therapist shouldn't feel like another chore on your to-do list. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:
A space where you can drop the mask: No judgment and no expectations.
A therapist who actually 'gets it': Our team brings lived experience and a deep understanding of what it means to be "othered."
Real tools for relief: We help you calm your mind and your body so you can start feeling like yourself again.
Insurance & Accessibility
Getting help shouldn’t add more stress. We prioritize a seamless, transparent experience.
We are in-network with:
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO & Blue Choice PPO
Aetna PPO
HSA/FSA plans & Out-of-network reimbursement
Limited sliding scale spots available
Flexible Online & Hybrid Care: Connect via secure video from home or your office.
With secure online therapy, you can connect from home, your office, or anywhere in Illinois—without commuting, waiting rooms, or extra logistics.
Flexible Online Therapy Across Illinois—From Chicago to Wherever You Are
No matter where you live in Illinois, you can find support here. We regularly work with clients in:
Chicago | Oak Lawn | Orland Park | Naperville | Urbana-Champaign | Schaumburg | Joliet | Tinley Park | Evanston … and beyond.
And through PsyPact, Dr. Steele provides virtual therapy across multiple states.
Take the First Step—You Deserve Support
Reaching out is a big deal. You don’t have to keep carrying the world on your shoulders. With the right support, you can move from just "getting by" into a version of life that actually feels like your own.