Work With Summer Stewart, PsyD
Online Therapy for Black & Brown Women in Chicago & Throughout Illinois
Supporting Anxiety, Burnout, Trauma & High-Achieving Professionals
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 and 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 may be a good fit for you if…
You’re tired of shrinking to fit into spaces that were never built for you.
You’ve spent years carrying pressure, expectations, or the weight of always having to be “strong.” Many of the Black and Brown women I work with feel emotionally exhausted from constantly having to prove themselves while carrying so much internally.
You’re a high-achiever whose mind never fully shuts off.
From the outside, things may look successful. Internally, you’re stuck in cycles of overthinking, self-doubt, anxiety, and pressure to keep pushing.
You’re healing from trauma or painful relationship patterns.
Past experiences may still be shaping how you trust, communicate, set boundaries, or show up in relationships today.
You’re emotionally exhausted from carrying so much for everyone else.
You’ve handled the responsibilities, met the expectations, and kept going, but underneath it all, you feel burned out and overwhelmed.
Many of the women I work with come to therapy feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, pressure, burnout, and the emotional weight of always holding everything together.
Together, we work toward moving from survival mode to feeling more grounded, connected, and like yourself again.
If you’ve been searching for a therapist near you in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois who truly understands this experience, you’re in the right place.
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."
Struggling with 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.
Support for What You’re Carrying
Anxiety and chronic overthinking
Burnout and emotional exhaustion
High-achiever pressure and perfectionism
Trauma and difficult relationship patterns
Low self-worth and imposter syndrome
Boundary-setting without guilt
Women’s mental health and identity stress
Life transitions and feeling emotionally “stuck”
Cultural expectations and the “Strong Woman” burden
Relationship anxiety and attachment wounds
Stress, overwhelm, and nervous system burnout
Healing from childhood emotional wounds
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 women navigating anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions.
Common Questions
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Yes. Many of the women I work with feel mentally exhausted from constantly overthinking, second-guessing themselves, or carrying pressure they rarely talk about out loud. Therapy can help you better understand the patterns underneath anxiety while building healthier ways to cope, set boundaries, and feel more grounded in your daily life.
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Many high-achieving women are used to carrying responsibility, meeting expectations, and pushing through stress without slowing down. Over time, constantly being “the strong one” can lead to burnout, emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and feeling disconnected from yourself. Therapy can help you reconnect with your needs, process what you’ve been carrying, and stop feeling like you always have to hold everything together alone.
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Absolutely. Burnout and perfectionism often go hand-in-hand, especially for women who feel pressure to succeed, care for others, or constantly prove themselves. Together, we work on quieting the internal pressure, understanding where those patterns come from, and building a healthier relationship with rest, boundaries, and self-worth.
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Therapy can become a space where you no longer feel like you have to shrink yourself, stay silent, or carry everything alone. We may explore cultural expectations, generational patterns, identity stress, relationships, trauma, and the pressure of always having to appear “strong.” My approach is culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and grounded in honoring your lived experience without judgment.
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That’s completely okay. Many people feel nervous before starting therapy, especially if they’re used to handling everything on their own. You do not need to have the “perfect words” or know exactly where to begin. We move at your pace and focus first on creating a space where you feel safe, supported, and understood.
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Yes. Online therapy can be highly effective for anxiety, burnout, trauma, life transitions, and relationship stress. Many clients also find virtual therapy more comfortable because they can attend sessions from their own space anywhere in Illinois.
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Mindful Healing Counseling accepts several insurance plans, including BCBS PPO and Aetna. If you have questions about coverage or benefits, our team can help walk you through the next steps before your first appointment.
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.
Ready to Get Started?
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.