Work With Summer Stewart, PsyD
Culturally-attuned online therapist for Black and Brown women, high-achieving professionals, and over-thinkers in Chicago & across Illinois.
Hi, I’m Summer (she/her)
I’m a therapist providing online therapy for women and young adults in Chicago and throughout Illinois.
If you’re tired of holding it all together while quietly falling apart inside, I see you. You’ve spent your life meeting everyone’s expectations except your own—silencing your pain to keep the peace.
I provide a space where the performance ends. You don't need the 'perfect words' here. Whether you’re navigating bone-deep anxiety or the weight of cultural expectations, nothing is ever 'too much' in this room.
Therapy with me is a place to take the mask off, breathe deeper, and reconnect with yourself.
You don’t have to hold it all together anymore—this space is for you.
Meet Summer
I am a great fit for…
Black & Brown Women: You’re tired of "shrinking" to fit into rooms that weren't built for you and carrying a legacy of strength that feels like a burden.
The "Perfectionist" & Anxious Over-Thinker: You look successful on paper, but your mind is a 24/7 loop of overthinking, self-doubt, and "imposter syndrome.”
Trauma & Relationship Recovery: Women healing from past pain, childhood wounds, or difficult relationship patterns.
The Burned-Out Professional: You’ve achieved the goals, but you’re emotionally exhausted, burned out, and one more "expectation" away from a breaking point.
Many of the women I work with come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and the pressure to hold everything together. We may also explore how past trauma continues to shape how you show up in relationships. I help women and young adults move from "just surviving" to truly healing.
What Therapy Looks Like With Me
Therapy isn’t just talking—it’s healing. Together, we’ll unpack what’s weighing you down and explore new ways to feel lighter, stronger, and more connected to yourself.
Together, we’ll explore not just what happened to you, but how those experiences shaped the way you think, feel, and show up in your life and relationships today.
I offer:
A Holistic, Evidence-Based Approach: I integrate Relational Therapy and Narrative Therapy to help you rewrite the internal stories about your worth and identity.
Trauma-Informed: We honor your pace and boundaries, using mindfulness to help you feel safe in your body again.
Humor as Healing: Healing doesn’t always have to feel heavy. We use humor and fresh perspectives to help you see that "what happened to you" doesn't have to define your future.
My goal isn’t just for you to cope better — it’s for you to feel better, more free, and more like yourself.
Free from guilt.
Free from comparison
Free from carrying what was never yours.
How I Support You: From Survival to Healing
Instead of just managing symptoms, we work together to transform the way you move through the world. Here is how I help my clients navigate their most common challenges:
Paralyzed by Anxiety & Stress: Calm your nervous system and quiet the "24/7" mental loop of overthinking and "what-ifs."
Haunted by Past Trauma: Gently process old wounds at your pace, so your past stops dictating how you show up today.
Burnt Out by Expectations: Dismantle the "Strong Woman" stereotype and set boundaries that actually stick—without the guilt.
Lost in a Life Transition : Reclaim your identity and find your footing when your career, relationships, or roles are shifting.
Disconnected from Yourself: Move from "performing" for others to living authentically, feeling safe and grounded in your own body.
Drained by Relationships: Understand your attachment patterns and build connections that feel supportive rather than exhausting.
What It’s Like in Session With Me
Think of our sessions like talking to someone who really gets you.
You don’t have to show up perfect.
You don’t need a plan.
You don’t have to know what to say.
In our first session, we’ll focus on helping you feel comfortable. You won’t be asked to share everything all at once. We’ll talk about what brought you here, what you’re hoping for, and what support feels safest right now.
We’ll take it one step at a time.
Most clients describe therapy with me as warm, honest, and grounding. Some sessions are emotional, some are calm, and sometimes we even laugh — because healing doesn’t have to feel heavy every minute.
Everything happens at your pace — never rushed, never pushed.
Why This Work Matters to Me
I believe every woman, especially Black and Brown women, deserves a place to feel seen, supported, and valued.
We live in a world that expects women to be strong all the time, to carry everyone else’s burdens, and to silence their own pain. I’m here to remind you: you deserve care, too.
Healing isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about reconnecting with the person you were before the world told you who to be.
I am dedicated to providing care that is culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and personalized to your lived experience.
Education, Training & Supervision
Education
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Clinical Psychology — Adler University
Master of Arts (MA), Clinical Psychology — Adler University
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Psychology — Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Clinical Training
Doctoral internship in college counseling working with university students
Advanced training in trauma-informed and culturally responsive therapy
Clinical experience in community mental health settings
Experience supporting clients navigating anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and women’s mental health
Licensure Status
Dr. Summer Stewart has completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology and is currently practicing under clinical supervision while working toward independent licensure in Illinois.
Working under the expert clinical supervision of Dr. Aretha Steele, I bring a high-level, trauma-informed perspective to our work together.
Dr. Stewart provides online therapy to clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois, supporting individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. I provide virtual therapy for women across Illinois, including Chicago, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Evanston, and more.
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I currently accept BCBS PPO, Blue Choice PPO, and Aetna.
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I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, generational trauma, body image concerns, relationship struggles, and life transitions.
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That’s completely normal. We’ll go at your pace, and there’s no pressure to share more than feels comfortable.
More About Me
I’m a big fan of humor. It’s my go-to for relaxing and unwinding. Whether I’m watching something funny, joking around with friends, or just finding the lighter side of things, it helps me stay grounded and not take life too seriously when everything feels like a lot.
On any given day, you’ll probably find me curled up on my couch binge-watching Netflix or diving into a good book.
Culturally-Attuned Therapy for Women Across Illinois
While our sessions are conducted via a secure, private video platform, I am deeply committed to serving the women of:
The City of Chicago: Including South Side and West Side communities, Hyde Park, Bronzeville, and South Shore.
The South Suburbs: Orland Park, Tinley Park, Homewood, and Flossmoor.
The Western Suburbs: Oak Park and River Forest.
Whether you are a professional in the Loop, a graduate student in Evanston, or a mother in Tinley Park, I provide a dedicated space for Black and Brown women to find the healing and rest they deserve.
You’ve looked after everyone else. Let’s spend some time looking after you. Click below to see my current availability and book your first session
I offer online therapy for women in Illinois, including Chicago and Tinley Park, and I currently have daytime and evening availability.