GET TO KNOW YOUR THERAPIST
Anamarie Johnson
Anamarie Johnson, LPC
Therapy is a space where your full humanity is welcome—including the parts you’ve been taught to hide or feel ashamed of.
WHY I BECAME A THERAPIST
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I’ve always been drawn to the power of stories—how we carry them, how they shape us, and how healing it can be to have someone truly witness yours. My own experiences with identity, belonging, and emotional healing showed me how transformative it is to feel seen and supported.
I BECAME A THERAPIST BECAUSE I WANTED TO OFFER THAT SAME PRESENCE FOR OTHERS: A SPACE THAT IS SAFE, GROUNDING, AND DEEPLY HUMAN.
WHEN I WORK WITH CLIENTS, I like to focus on creating a space that feels grounded, nonjudgmental, and collaborative. I pay close attention to the stories clients tell themselves about who they are and what they have been through.
Every client is different and I often focus on helping clients build self-compassion and explore their different identities. I also focus on unpacking patterns shaped by past relationships, trauma, or cultural messaging they have received throughout their life. Depending on the client’s needs, I may also integrate body-based awareness and values exploration. Ultimately, my focus is on helping people feel more connected to themselves, those around them, and to a meaningful life.
When I work with clients, I incorporate THREE THINGS to create positive change:
AUTHENTICITY | CURIOSITY | COLLABORATION
My approach to therapy is deeply rooted in respect for your lived experience, cultural context, and inner wisdom. You are the expert of your own life. My role is to walk alongside you, helping you notice patterns shaped by past relationships, trauma, or societal messages—and to gently challenge the narratives that no longer serve you.
Together, we might explore identity, practice self-compassion, or reconnect with the values that matter most to you. When it feels helpful, I also integrate somatic awareness and mindfulness practices to support a more grounded relationship with your body and nervous system. I use a narrative lens, body-based tools, and trauma-informed care to support healing in a way that feels empowering and tailored to you.
Whether you’re seeking anxiety support, trauma therapy, or relationship counseling in Chicago, our work will center around helping you feel more connected—to yourself, to your community, and to the kind of life you want to live.
WHO I WORK WITH
You might be navigating a big life transition, trying to untangle complicated emotions, or struggling to feel at home in your own skin. Maybe you’ve spent a long time editing yourself—internally and externally—to fit into spaces that weren’t built for your full self. That can be exhausting.
I specialize in working with adults and teens experiencing trauma, anxiety, low self-esteem, grief and loss, identity exploration, and relationship struggles. Many of my clients are part of the LGBTQIA+ community or identify as neurodivergent. I’m especially passionate about helping people rebuild a healthier, more compassionate relationship with their bodies and sense of self.
In our work together, there’s no need to “clean up” your thoughts or emotions. Therapy is a space where the messiness is welcome—and often, where the most meaningful transformation begins.
What might healing feel like?
Therapy with me isn’t about fixing who you are—it’s about coming home to yourself. My hope is that through our work, you’ll begin to feel more grounded in your body, clearer in your relationships, and more able to move through the world with authenticity and confidence.
You get to be fully human here. All parts of you are welcome.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME & MY PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- I completed my Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University.
- I have completed trainings in trauma-informed care and identity-affirming practices.
- I have completed a 27.5 hour Living Brave course by Dr. Brené Brown focusing on Vulnerability, Courage, Shame, and Empathy.
Loves reading
Enjoys yoga and cycling
Loves to go to new music festivals
If this sounds like the kind of support you’re looking for, I’d be honored to work with you.
You can schedule an appointment using our online scheduler or by emailing us at appointments@