Virtual Therapy for Young Adults in Illinois

Therapy for Anxiety, Stress, and Self-Esteem

Constantly feeling anxious or on edge? You are not alone.

Are anxiety and self-doubt keeping you from fully showing up in school, work, or just life? If you’re in college or early adulthood, you might feel like everyone else has it figured out while you’re stuck second-guessing yourself, feeling “not good enough,” or constantly putting other people’s needs ahead of your own. Maybe you find yourself overthinking every decision, replaying conversations, or worrying about how you’re coming across to others.

Perhaps you have a sense of what you want for your life, but something holds you back—fear of failure, uncertainty, or the pressure to meet expectations. You might feel stuck between where you are and where you want to be, unsure of how to move forward.

At Lunar Way Psychotherapy, I support young adults (18+) with navigating anxiety, people-pleasing, stress, burnout, and low self-esteem. Anxiety can show up in many ways—overthinking, self-doubt, difficulty setting boundaries, or feeling stuck trying to meet others’ expectations. Together, we’ll work to help you build confidence, manage stress, and feel more grounded and aligned in your life.

Individual Therapy for Anxiety, Stress & Self-Esteem

Supportive, personalized care to help you feel more grounded and confident.


FOCUS AREAS

  • Anxiety

  • Self-Esteem & Self-Doubt

  • People-Pleasing

  • Boundary Setting

  • Life Transitions (College & Early Adulthood)

  • Stress and Burnout (Academic & Work-Related)

MY APPROACH

As a therapist, I am guided by curiosity, collaboration, and deep respect for each person’s unique story. After all, you are the expert of your own life. I aim to create a culturally responsive, nonjudgmental environment where therapy feels safe and accessible. I bring warmth, authenticity, and, when appropriate, humor into our work together. You don’t need to filter yourself here; therapy is your space to show up as your full, authentic self, however that may look for you.

Rooted in Evidence-Based Care

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    Supports psychological flexibility so you can make space for difficult feelings and move forward toward what matters most to you.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    Builds skills to shift patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so you can live more in line with what matters most.

  • Present-Moment Awareness (Mindfulness)

    The practice of intentionally noticing your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the present moment without judgement.

Strengths-Based

As a therapist, all of my work is anchored in a strengths-based approach that centers your resilience and abilities as the foundation for meaningful therapeutic change.


Chelsea Tirado

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Hi! I’m Chelsea (she/her), a bilingual Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. I bring a warm and approachable style to therapy, with humor when appropriate. In our work together, we will focus on helping you respond differently to difficult thoughts and emotions, and try new ways of coping when old strategies stop working. Therapy with me is practical, supportive, and collaborative. My goal is that you leave sessions feeling empowered, and more confident. I believe in bringing my authentic self to my work, which includes a deep love for animals and community. Outside of the therapy space, I enjoy cooking, binge-watching reality TV, and volunteering with a local cat rescue. My home life is happily managed by my two cats, Daisy and Adobo

As someone who has personally experienced anxiety, I understand how downright debilitating it can feel. This informs my passion for helping clients build self-trust, reduce self-doubt, and move toward a life that feels more aligned with their values.


‍ ‍FAQ’S

  • You can get started by completing the new client inquiry form to schedule a free, 15-minute consultation. This is your space to ask questions, explore what you’re looking for, and see if working together feels like a good fit.

  • The rate is $150 for a 50-minute individual therapy session. If you are paying out-of-pocket, you will receive a Good Faith Estimate to help you plan for the cost of care.

  • Yes! I am currently in network with the following insurance plans:

    • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO

    • UnitedHealthcare / Optum

    • Oscar Health

  • Yes! All therapy services are currently rendered virtually through a HIPPA compliant telehealth platform for adults across Illinois.

  • My practice is designed for those who feel like they are constantly performing or managing others' expectations. I may be a good fit if you:

    • Struggle with people-pleasing and find it hard to say "no" without feeling guilty.

    • Find it difficult to set boundaries with friends, family, or at school/work.

    • Are navigating questions of identity, trying to figure out who you are outside of your achievements or roles.

    • Experience "what-if" thinking and the physical or mental exhaustion that comes with chronic anxiety.

  • Before the first session, you will receive an electronic link to complete intake paperwork. This paperwork includes basic information, consent forms, and questions about what brings you to therapy.

  • We will begin by reviewing your intake forms, practice policies, and confidentiality details so you feel fully informed. This is also a completely open space for you to ask any questions about how therapy works and what our time together will look like.

  • Most clients begin with weekly sessions to establish consistency. Over time, we can re-assess the frequency of sessions to align with your evolving needs and goals.

Ready to Begin?

You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to connect, ask questions, and see if we are a good fit. Simply click “New Client Inquiry” to get started.

If you have any questions, please send an email at: chelsea@lunarwaytherapy.org