HI, I’M VALERIE YTZEN

Female Therapist near Schaumburg, IL - Sincere Life Counseling

I am a therapist who helps people who have been stuck in a cycle of anxiety and trauma process through and heal from their past.

As a counselor and art therapist, I have a passion for helping people live their authentic lives. I have over 13 years of clinical experience and have worked with children as young as three years old up to seniors at the end of their lives in hospice. One commonality is the need for connection.

Currently we live in a time of isolation. There are so many distractions and demands in life that make it difficult to devote time to developing a deeper understanding of ourselves and how we connect with others. In order to authentically connect with others we first need to have an acceptance of ourselves. My goal in therapy is to help guide individuals as they heal through their past and develop a greater sense of acceptance and belonging.

Valerie Ytzen, EMDR Therapist in Hoffman Estates, IL - Sincere Life

My background

Professionally I received my Bachelors from Iowa State University where I majored in Psychology and minored in Philosophy and received my Masters from Adler University in Counseling: Art Therapy. In undergraduate school I volunteered and worked at the local domestic violence shelter answering the crisis line and following graduation gained experience working in a group home for adults with developmental disabilities and as a caregiver for seniors. I have experience interning through Rainbow Hospice where I worked both with hospice patients and in bereavement.

Following graduate school I worked with adoptive families for ten years with a focus on behavioral and emotional issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment difficulties, identity issues, grief and loss, and parent support. I was a clinical supervisor prior to opening my private practice in 2021 and got the opportunity to help new clinicians develop their clinical skills. Since starting my private practice I have primarily focused on treating trauma and anxiety through the use of EMDR Therapy.

I am a Certified EMDR Therapist through EMDR International Association (EMDRIA), a Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) Practitioner, and have formal training in Level 1 Theraplay®

On a personal note, I am married with two young children. These days most of my free time is spent with my children but I also enjoy biking, camping, swing dancing, and creating art.