JANNETE PADILLA, LSW (she/her)
Associate
Jannete is a bilingual therapist who views therapy as a way to empower clients to advocate for themselves, develop strength and resilience, and adopt healthy strategies to cope with life’s challenges.
She believes everyone deserves the chance to work on their mental health free of judgement. “Seeking help can feel scary,” she says, underscoring the importance of building a patient-therapist relationship based on trust. “I aim to create a space where clients feel safe and comfortable being themselves as they begin—and continue to navigate—their healing journey.”
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Jannete works with adolescents, young adults, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, as well as behavioral and relational challenges.
In response to the individual needs of each client, she uses a variety of treatment modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and strength-based therapy.
Specializing in substance use, a term she intentionally uses in place of substance abuse, Jannete works alongside clients to help them identify and manage their triggers. As a result of her own lived experience, Jannete is able to empathize with the issues clients bring to therapy—and is committed to helping others feel supported as they work through the process of healing and building strength.
Her professional background includes working as a bilingual substance use counselor at a nonprofit organization, where she conducted substance use and mental health individual sessions, facilitated adolescent skills and psychoeducational groups, and served as a translator to Spanish-speaking clients and their families.
Before that, she worked as a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor intern at a psychotherapy private practice, where she conducted biopsychosocial assessments in English and Spanish to determine appropriate level of care and conducted individual and family counseling sessions to address mental health, substance use, and behavioral issues.
Jannete completed her bachelor’s degree at National Louis University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Human Services. She earned her master’s degree in Social Work at Loyola University Chicago with a specialization in Addictions.
Currently accepting new clients.