Abbie Papanicholas

I enjoy working with clients of all ages, but my passion is supporting adolescents, young adults and parents as they navigate the ups and downs of everyday life.

I live in the North Shore with my husband and 4 teens. I have always enjoyed being involved and have over two decades of experience working and volunteering for various school, family and community organizations.

I received my Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University’s Family Institute. While at Northwestern, my research focused on adolescent mental health issues in high-achieving communities and the protective effects of supportive relationships. I completed my clinical training at a Winnetka nonprofit where I served clients facing anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, parenting and family issues, LGBTQ+, acculturation issues and life transitions.

I am a lifelong learner and am constantly seeking out ways to improve my abilities as an effective counselor. I am well-versed in psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral and multicultural therapeutic modalities. I utilize an eclectic therapeutic approach with a focus on strength-based and solution focused techniques.

I am genuine, empathetic and honest with my clients. I believe in collaboration and psychoeducation. I create a safe space where clients can feel seen and accepted. I believe that every individual possesses their own unique strengths and that there are multiple ways to approach life’s challenges.

My choice to enter the field of mental health counseling was based on my personal experiences with my own four kids. For example, one of my kids has a rare genetic disorder that has required an extensive medical and mental health support system. Another is a D1 athlete who qualified for the Olympic Trials in high school and struggled with perfectionism and anxiety. I understand the grief a family experiences when faced with a child’s diagnosis. I am also well versed in the ripple effects that a diagnosis has on the dynamics of a family unit.

Additionally, as a North Shore parent, I understand the pressures of living in a high achieving community and the mental health struggles our children and families face.

I’m currently accepting clients for in-person sessions in Kenilworth or virtual sessions.