Before becoming a counselor, Dominika worked as an English as a Second Language teacher and bilingual academic advisor in a large community college. She loved being a teacher and advisor but quickly realized that most students needed more than just academic instruction or advice. Many of them missed their families left in other countries. They struggled with acculturation, anxiety, depression, trauma, community violence, loss, poverty, and other issues. Nevertheless, they wanted to change and rebuild their lives. To better address her students’ mental health needs, Dominika returned to school and got a master’s degree in counseling.
Dominika believes that a warm, sincere, and culturally sensitive therapeutic relationship is essential to her clients’ success. Her practice is compassionate, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed. Dominika strives to empower her clients by facilitating their self-discovery. She helps her clients recognize their strengths and build resilience. Together, they work on identifying feelings and changing old thinking patterns so that clients can attain their goals, heal, and live fulfilling lives. Depending on her clients’ needs, Dominika likes to utilize elements of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and mindfulness. Mindfulness practice is essential in Dominika’s own life.
Dominika has a master’s degree in counseling and holds an M.A degree in linguistics. She has a Licensed Professional Counselor licensure in Illinois. Dominika believes in health equity and the accessibility of mental health services to all clients. She enjoys working with multicultural clients of different ages. She is fluent in English and Polish and can speak Spanish and Russian.
