Sarah Heinss

Therapeutic Orientation & Techniques

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 

Psychodynamic 

Narrative Therapy 

Gottman Couples Theory

Emotional Focused Therapy

Attachment Theory

Areas of Specialty

Professional Career Development
Disordered Eating & Body Image
Enneagram Typing & Discernment
Artist’s Concerns
Dating & Relationships
Sexuality & Identity
Grief & Loss
Spirituality & Religious Identity
Conflict Resolution
Pre-Marital & Couples
Depression & Anxiety

Academic Background

Student M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL

B.A. in Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Location
Chicago: Virtual & In-Person

Pronouns: She / Her / Hers 

Clinical Residency: January 2021 – May 2022

Life is messy.

Life is messy. You may be feeling out of control, uncharacteristically sad, or struggling to remember who you are and what you bring to the table. On top of that you may be losing touch with meaningful relationships, job satisfaction, and where God is in all this. What’s worse is that you don’t even know where to start. 

Together, we are going to start putting those pieces back together. Our sessions are a safe space to be you, to process the depth of what’s really going on, and to develop a plan and a way forward. We’ll set goals in the areas that are hurting the most, and uncover together the grace and truth about your anxiety, lack of vision/purpose, or unsatisfying love life.

I pursued a career in therapy because I believe that holistic healing is possible. Taking care of your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness, enables you to take care of others, and live a life of joy. With a background in the arts, storytelling, and visual media, I integrate the power of story in the narrative of your life, past present and future. Where are you right now? How has right now been impacted by your past, and what is a vision and purpose for who you want to be? What do you want your life to look like in the future? We can work on all this together. 

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to take the next step. Reach out to me today to get started.  

Career Note: Your career is an important manifestation of your identity. Our work around your professional or emerging career development will center around your identity development.  

Disordered Eating Note: Eating disorders can impair functioning in every area of your life. Our work around disordered eating will utilize Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy and Mindfulness, to address topics of body image, relationships, grief, eating, weight and appearance. 

Artist Concerns (Vocational or Hobby): Though artists come in many shapes and sizes, we also have many things in common. Our work together will surround identity, self expression, self worth, shame, and the balancing of multiple roles. 

Request An Appointment

"What has been so helpful about our meetings is that my starting point of confusion and disorganization has turned into clarity and overall healthier reactions or behaviors. Sarah has an ability to help me make sense of all the things I bring her."

“I’m so happy to have found Sarah. She has helped me through a really difficult time. She is able to cut to the heart of things.”

“I want my career to matter. It feels so important to me, and Sarah is a unique therapist who can combine the psychological with the professional.”

“When I tried to talk to a friend or family I had some surprising negative responses when I would try to tell them about what I was going through. That was hard, and in meeting with Sarah I found a sharp contrast to those hurtful experiences. I'm proud to say I have found the courage to tell others about my experience with her and how it has impacted me.”

Articles by Sarah

Coming soon! Check out other articles by Optimum Joy therapists.