Abigail Gillig

Going to that first therapy session can feel incredibly intimidating. Many clients worry they will be judged, believe they should already have things figured out, or wonder if talking to someone will really make a difference. Often, they feel alone and like no one could possibly care or understand what they are going through. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in negative thought patterns, or feeling trapped in a difficult situation, it can be hard to imagine what healing might look like. Just by picking up that phone to make an appointment, you’ve already taken your first courageous step forward.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and individualistic. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and I am here to help you explore what you want to change, grow in, or add to your life. Using a cognitive behavioral framework, I will integrate strengths-based techniques, dialectical behavior therapy skills, and family systems perspectives to help clients better understand themselves and the patterns that shape their lives. We will work to identify your strengths, develop practical tools, and create meaningful change over time. We will together consider the influence of individual, relationship, environmental, cultural, and societal factors that shape your mental wellness and mental health issues. It’s crucial to understand and discuss how different facets of our lives are interconnected, creating a complex web that impacts how we think, feel, and respond to the challenges in our lives.

My hope is to provide a safe space where people feel truly heard, supported, and empowered to grow. As clients gain insight, confidence, and new ways of navigating life’s challenges, they often begin to experience deeper connection, greater resilience, and a renewed sense of hope. Even small steps toward healing can create powerful ripple effects—positively impacting not only the individual but the relationships and communities around them. I believe that creating a better world begins with supporting individuals in becoming the healthiest, most authentic versions of themselves, and I hope this ripple effect of kindness and positive change can start with you.

I am especially passionate about working with children and adolescents to develop healthy ways to express themselves, process emotions, and navigate challenges at home, school, and out in the world. Through my experiences in school counseling, ABA therapy, early childhood education, and youth development settings, I have worked with many ages of children. I have developed a deep understanding of the various ways children communicate their needs—whether through words, behavior, play, or creativity. Children may not always have the language to tell us what they need, so I strive to use our therapeutic relationship to create a supportive environment where young clients can express themselves through play, creativity, and conversation. By building trust and meeting children at their level, I aim to help them better understand their emotions, learn healthy coping skills to regulate their emotions, and feel confident sharing their thoughts and feelings.