Work With Summer Stewart, PsyD

Online Therapist for Women and Young Adults in Chicago & Illinois

Specializing in Anxiety Therapy, Trauma Recovery, and Therapy for Black and Brown Women

Now accepting new clients for virtual therapy

Dr. Summer Stewart, therapist, providing online therapy in Illinois with a warm and approachable presence.

Hi, I’m Summer (she/her)

I’m a therapist providing online therapy for women and young adults in Chicago and throughout Illinois, with a focus on anxiety, trauma recovery, and the emotional pressure many Black and Brown women carry.

If you’re tired of being the "strong one" all the time, I see you.

You spend your life carrying everyone else’s burdens, silencing your own pain, and meeting everyone’s expectations, except your own.

Therapy with me is a safe, affirming space where you can finally set that weight down.

You don’t need to have the perfect words or your whole story figured out.

Whether you are navigating deep-seated anxiety, perfectionism, or the weight of cultural expectations, nothing is ever “too much” here.

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: Navigating the unique intersection of cultural, generational, and racial trauma while breaking the "strong woman" stereotype.

  • The "Perfectionist" & Anxious Over-Thinker: Women struggling with anxiety, self-doubt, "imposter syndrome," and the constant pressure to be perfect.

  • Trauma & Relationship Recovery: Individuals healing from past pain, childhood wounds, or difficult relationship patterns.

  • High-Achieving Professionals: Those feeling emotionally exhausted, burnt out, and ready for a grounded change.

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.

Black woman smiling while sitting on a couch with a laptop on her lap, representing online therapy services in Illinois.

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.

Areas I Support Clients With

I provide virtual therapy in Chicago and throughout Illinois, helping women and young adults navigate anxiety, trauma, and the emotional pressure of always being the “strong one.”

Group of Black and Brown women laughing together, representing connection and culturally affirming mental health counseling in Chicago and Illinois.

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.

She provides therapy under the supervision of Dr. Aretha Steele, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and founder of Mindful Healing Counseling, in accordance with Illinois professional guidelines.

Dr. Stewart provides online therapy to clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois, supporting individuals navigating anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. I provide virtual therapy for women across Illinois, including Chicago, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Evanston, and more.

  • I currently accept BCBS PPO, Blue Choice PPO, and Aetna.

  • I specialize in anxiety, depression, trauma, generational trauma, body image concerns, relationship struggles, and life transitions.

  • That’s completely normal. We’ll go at your pace, and there’s no pressure to share more than feels comfortable.

Black female therapist smiling while reading on a couch, representing culturally affirming online therapy services in Chicago and Illinois.

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 don’t have to wait until you’re falling apart or have everything figured out to reach out.

I offer online therapy for women in Illinois, including Chicago and Tinley Park, and I currently have daytime and evening availability.

Ready to Get Started?