why emerald path therapy?
YOU'VE ALWAYS FELT ... a little different, like you don't quite fit in, like you're too much — or never quite enough.
You hide the silent battles underneath your smile, perform the parts that let you blend into the crowd, and cover the invisible pain with the persona you’ve carefully built. But behind the mask, the struggle lives on — threatening to crush you the moment you lose focus. If this sounds like you, you're in the right place.
At Emerald Path Therapy, our mission is to provide a space where every client is met with compassionate care that honors their lived experiences, cultural identity, and personal journey. Here, you don't have to over-explain why you see things differently, defend your identity, or justify life has always felt a little harder than it looks for everyone else.
Our team approaches therapy as a collaborative and empowering process, offering practical tools and compassionate support for individuals, couples, and families ready for real change. This is therapy that doesn't just check a box. It's therapy that meets you where you are — and walks with you every step of the way.
A Team of Identity-Affirming, Culturally-Informed Mental Health Therapists
Clinical Specialties
Neurodiversity is a nonmedical term that covers a wide range of diagnoses and conditions, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other sensory-processing disorders.
Neurodivergent-affirming therapy focuses on education, authenticity, and self-advocacy. You'll learn more about how your mind sees and understand the world around you, tools and skills that will (and won't) work for your everyday life, how to reduce harmful masking and burnout, and ways in which you can live more "unmasked" in a neurotypical society.
How We Can Support:
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Executive Function Coaching
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Skill-Building Tools & Strategies
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Parent/Caregiver Support
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Culturally sensitive (or culturally-informed) therapy focuses on integrating your unique cultural background, identity, and practices into your therapeutic care. This approach to therapy can help you understand the unique challenges that come with being a BIPOC, immigrant or refugee, discover how cultural differences affect how you interact with your social sphere, and navigate acculturation while maintaining the rich traditions, values, beliefs of your cultural identity.
How We Can Support:
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Exploration of generational stories
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Integration of cultural values, beliefs, and practices
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LGBTQ-affirming therapy is a specialized and supportive approach to counseling, where your sexual orientation and gender identity is unconditionally accepted. You'll find support as you navigate the nuances and complexities that come with unique challenges coming out, discover what it means for you to live authentically, healing traumas, and finding space where you can be unappologetically accepted and loved. It helps individuals navigate unique challenges like discrimination, coming out, and internalized stigma in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
How We Can Support:
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Support with coming out and living authentically
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Processing societal discrimination and internalized stigmas
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Healing from past hurts and traumas
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Support for families and friends navigating a loved one's LGBTQ+ identity
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INSURANCES ACCEPTED
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Counseling Services at Emerald Path
Pick your location
In-office or online telehealth — Connect with one of our specialized therapists no matter where you are!
Pick your therapist
Make a request for someone specific or let us match you to one of our therapists.
Book an appointment
Fill out our online intake form or call us today to request an appointment.
Get started with counseling in 3 easy steps.
what our clients are saying
"Angie is amazing! Very knowledgeable, professional, always so helpful, caring, and kind. She provides various tools, perspectives, and options for tackling issues/life. I highly recommend ANGIE!!!"
Client review for Angie Yong, LCPC
Reviewed June 2024
"Extremely helpful in processing childhood trauma and making sense of the emotional and physical effects of this as an adult. So thankful to have found Dori!"
Client review for Dori Choy, LCSW
Reviewed January 2022
"Angie becomes more than a therapist, Angie becomes a friend that you can be yourself and be transparent with. You become open to a way better person."
Client review for Angie Yong, LCPC
Reviewed November 2024
therapist spotlight
Meet Andrea
Emerald Path Therapy is delighted to welcome Andrea Yong to our team of clinical therapists! With extensive counseling experience in outpatient programs, university settings, and the public health sector, Andrea brings a unique blend of both knowledge and empathy to the therapeutic space.
Find out more about what makes therapy with Andrea different!
Questions?
Let's clear the air.
Didn't find what you're looking for? Check out our full list of Frequently Asked Questions!
If you're wondering whether therapy is right for you, the answer is usually: Yes.
Contrary to prior belief, therapy isn't just for "serious problems". It's for anyone who wants support, clarity, or more compassionate view of moving through life. Whether you're navigating stress, identity, relationships, ADHD, life transitions, trauma, or simply trying to understand yourself just a little bit better... therapy offers a space to be, to breathe, and to be heard.
If you're asking this question, you're in the right place, and we're here to support you.
Insurance benefits typically save clients about an average of 78% on the out-of-pocket cost of therapy. With insurance coverage, that means therapy sessions will cost roughly $21 per session on average. It is important to remember that this will vary depending on your insurance plan. Check out our FAQ page to find out more about our service rates.
Finding the right therapist is a little bit like dating. It might require looking at a few (or a lot of) profiles, it might take some time, and you might even go on a few "dates". But just like finding the right partner, when you find the right therapist for you, you'll know that it's right.
So think about what feels most important to you: Are you looking for someone calm and grounding? Someone direct and solution-focused? Or perhaps someone who specializes in a specific area of mental health such as trauma, ADHD, couples, or kids?
At Emerald Path Therapy, each clinician brings their own unique therapeutic "flavor" in their theoretical orientation, therapeutic style, specialties & areas of expertise, and clinical strengths. We encourage you to read through our therapists' bios, notice who you naturally resonate with, and trust your instincts.
But don't worry! If you're still unsure and need more help, or if you simply prefer a more "professional recommendation", we've got you covered there too. Our intake team can help you find your best-fit and work with you to match you with the clinician who aligns best with your needs.If you prefer in person counseling sessions, we currently offer counseling services at 2 office locations in Illinois: Saint Charles (a western Chicagoland suburb that's nestled about an hour outside of downtown Chicago), and Arthur, IL (a small rural town about a 45 minute drive from Urbana-Champaign). We also offer online / virtual therapy sessions, with clinicians who are licensed to practice in several states including Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), and Wisconsin (WI).
Scheduling an appointment with us is easy! Here are 2 ways you can get started today:
Book Online. If you already know what you're looking for and are ready to schedule an appointment, fill out online Contact Form, and someone from our team will assist you with setting up an appointment.
Book with an Intake Specialist. Need a little more help or guidance? If you have any other questions or concerns, or would just prefer to speak to a "real person", reach out to us via call, text message, or email, and someone from our intake team will be ready to help you with whatever your counseling needs may be.