ABOUT MARIS WESTON, LCSW
A Therapist Who’s Here to Understand You- Not Fix You
Therapy doesn’t have to feel clinical, stiff, or like you’re being analyzed from across the room.
I Believe You Already Have the Capacity for Healing.
You don’t need someone to come in and “fix” you.
You may have spent years adapting, coping, taking care of other people, pushing through difficult experiences, or trying to do all the “right” things.
And maybe those strategies worked for a long time- until they didn’t.
My approach to therapy begins with curiosity rather than judgment. Together, we’ll look at what you’re carrying, the experiences and relationships that have shaped you, and the patterns that continue to show up in your life today.
We’ll also work toward something different: stronger boundaries, more effective communication, less stress, greater self-compassion, and a deeper sense of trust in yourself.
You bring your lived experience. I bring clinical knowledge, curiosity, and support. We figure out the rest together.
What Therapy With Me Feels Like
Collaborative
You’re an active part of this process. We’ll decide together what feels important, establish goals that actually matter to you, and adjust our work as your needs change.
Compassionate
There’s room here for the parts of your story you’re proud of- and the parts you wish were different. We’ll approach both with curiosity and compassion rather than shame.
Gently Challenging
Feeling validated matters, but I also believe therapy can help us notice things we can’t always see on our own. I’ll ask questions, help you connect patterns, and gently challenge you when it may help you grow.
Down-to-Earth
You don’t have to perform therapy correctly. You can laugh, swear, not know what you’re feeling, change your mind, or tell me something I suggested absolutely did not work. Therapy is a relationship between two humans.
My Approach to Therapy
Relational, Trauma-Informed Therapy Built Around You
There isn’t one therapy model that works for every person, which is why I tailor our work to your needs, experiences, and goals.
At the foundation of my approach is relational therapy. I believe trust and connection between therapist and client are an important part of meaningful change.
I also view our work through trauma and attachment-informed lenses, helping us understand how past experiences and relationships may continue to influence the way you feel, cope, connect, and respond today.
Depending on what you need, I may integrate:
Attachment-Based Therapy · CBT · Compassion-Focused Therapy · IFS & Parts Work · Person-Centered Therapy · Psychodynamic Therapy · Feminist Therapy · Strength-Based Therapy · Trauma-Focused Therapy
I’m also continuing to deepen my work with parts-based and somatic approaches, particularly ways of understanding what our emotions and bodies may be communicating when words alone don’t quite get us there.
Experience & Credentials
✦ Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed in Illinois & Iowa
✦ Master of Social Work
University of Illinois Chicago
✦ 8+ Years of Experience
Providing therapeutic support to individuals, with an exclusive focus on private practice since 2022.
✦ Additional Training
Trauma · Attachment · Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Who I Work With
Virtual Therapy for Adults in Illinois & Iowa
I work with adults 18+ navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, attachment patterns, self-esteem, life transitions, family dynamics, and the many complicated experiences that don’t always fit neatly into one category.
My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming and grounded in an understanding that identity, culture, relationships, systems, and lived experience all shape our mental health.
Outside the Therapy Room
I believe creativity can be another way of slowing down, paying attention, and making space for ourselves.
Outside of my work as a therapist, I love painting with watercolors- especially botanicals and the small details found in nature. Creating gives me a chance to slow down, get curious, and enjoy the process without needing everything to turn out perfectly.
I bring that same sense of curiosity and openness into my work with clients: there doesn’t always have to be a perfect answer, and sometimes understanding ourselves begins simply by paying closer attention.
You’ve Already Taken the First Step.
You’re here. You’re looking. And maybe something you’ve read has made you think, okay... she might get it.
We can start there.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can tell me a little about what’s bringing you to therapy, ask questions, and get a feel for whether working together might be a good fit.