Monika Breidenbach, LCPC in Westmont, IL
Therapy Designed Around You
Start Your Journey to Wellness Today
Do you feel like your mind is always “on”—worrying, overthinking, replaying conversations, or preparing for the worst? Maybe anxiety, perfectionism, OCD, panic attacks, health worries, or fear of judgment are making it harder to relax and enjoy your life.
Perhaps you’ve been feeling sad, overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply not like yourself, and the things that once brought you joy don’t feel the same anymore.
Maybe the past still feels present. Painful experiences, intrusive thoughts, difficult memories, or a constant sense of unease can leave you feeling stuck—even when part of you is ready to move forward.
Or perhaps you’re navigating a major life change, questioning what comes next, or realizing that you want something different but aren’t sure how to get there.
Relationships can feel difficult, too. You may feel distant from your partner or loved ones and wonder, “How did we get here?” or “How do we find our way back to each other?”
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. Therapy can be a space to understand what’s keeping you stuck, quiet the mental noise, build confidence in yourself, and develop practical tools for meaningful, lasting change.
You deserve more than just getting through the day. Let’s work toward helping you feel more like yourself again.
At Monika Breidenbach LCPC Counseling and Stress Management, we get it. Life can feel like a lot sometimes—and you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. The right support can make a real difference.
We believe therapy should be as individual as you are. That’s why we take a personalized, whole-person approach, looking beyond symptoms to understand what may be happening emotionally, mentally, physically, and within your everyday life.
And therapy is more than simply talking about what’s wrong. Together, we’ll connect the dots—using evidence-based therapy, thoughtful assessments, neuroscience, and integrative mental health approaches to better understand what’s keeping you stuck and what can help you move forward.
Our approach is warm, practical, collaborative, and refreshingly human. You’ll find support and compassion here, but also honesty and a gentle push when you need one. We focus on practical strategies you can actually use outside the therapy room—and yes, there’s room for humor, too.
Whether you choose in-person or online therapy, sessions are available in English and Polish.
Come as you are. We’ll work together to help you feel more grounded, confident, and equipped to handle whatever life brings next.
Client Feedback
Therapy helped me feel calmer, more confident, and better at handling anxiety. I felt safe, understood, and not judged. Sessions are supportive and practical—I always leave with something useful to work on. I’m very grateful for the progress. Adam, November 12, 2025
I appreciate practical tools I can use outside sessions. Therapy feels natural and supportive but pushes me to change old habits and see things differently. I understand myself better and feel more ready for tough moments. — Tom, Jan 21, 2026
I’ve had a great experience with Monika. She makes sessions comfortable and supportive, and helps me see things in new ways. I leave with practical strategies I can use every day. Her thoughtful care has helped me understand myself better and make real progress. — Maria S., March 15, 2026
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“I wasn’t sure what to expect from counseling, but I quickly felt comfortable opening up. It has been a genuinely helpful and positive experience”. K.K June, 2025
“Counseling has helped me understand my thoughts and reactions in a completely different way. I feel more confident handling challenges on my own.” Nina, April 3, 2026
“It hasn’t always been an easy process, and at times it has been challenging. But the growth and progress I’ve experienced have made it completely worth it.” Marek. July, 19. 2026
“Supportive, insightful, and practical—therapy has helped me feel more confident and better equipped to handle everyday challenges.”
"Easy to talk to—I always leave each session with a fresh perspective.”
"I’ve seen meaningful changes in myself.”
“Supportive, insightful, and practical—therapy has helped me feel more confident and better equipped to handle everyday challenges.” "Easy to talk to—I always leave each session with a fresh perspective.” "I’ve seen meaningful changes in myself.”
Why Choose Monika Breidenbach Counseling and Stress Management?
☑️ Personalized, holistic treatment plans tailored to your unique needs
☑️ Evidence-based therapies proven to deliver results
☑️ Compassionate, culturally sensitive care in a safe, non-judgmental space
☑️ Convenient online therapy sessions available
☑️ Bilingual therapy services offered in English and Polish, ensuring effective communication and cultural understanding
Our Services
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Embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth with our caring therapists. Explore your thoughts and feelings, develop coping strategies, and create lasting change.
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Strengthen your bond and rediscover love with our experienced therapists. Improve communication, build trust, and create a more fulfilling relationship together.
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Access the support you need from the comfort of your own space. Connect with your therapist securely online and work towards your goals, wherever you are.
Our Specialities
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Find relief from anxiety's overwhelming grip. Our specialized, evidence-based treatment helps you manage symptoms, build resilience, and reclaim your life.
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Rediscover hope and find your way back to joy. Our compassionate therapists help you develop strategies to overcome depression and embrace a brighter future.
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Heal from trauma's wounds and build strength to move forward. Our safe, supportive, trauma-informed approach helps you process experiences and reclaim your life.
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Break free from obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Our evidence-based approach helps you develop new ways to manage OCD, reduce symptoms, and restore peace of mind.
Our Approach
We offer a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to meet your unique needs. Each specialty is designed to address specific challenges and promote personal growth. Explore our specialties below to learn more about how we can support your journey towards improved mental health and well-being.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) guides you to accept your thoughts and emotions while committing to values-aligned actions. Through mindfulness exercises, you'll build skills to overcome difficulties and live a more psychologically fulfilling life.
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Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) helps you process and make sense of traumatic experiences that may be causing intrusive thoughts, avoidance, and post-traumatic stress. In this approach, we'll gradually unpack the trauma in a safe environment, modifying unhelpful beliefs to develop a more empowered, positive narrative around the experience.
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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) blends cognitive behavioral strategies with mindfulness skills. You'll learn mindfulness practices to become more aware of yourself and your intense emotions. We'll also work on distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and effective communication skills to improve your overall well-being.
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Mindfulness-Based Therapy uses mindfulness practices to help you become more present and aware in the current moment. We'll cultivate techniques like breath awareness and grounding to reduce stress. The goal is to approach your experiences with more self-compassion and acceptance.
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With Motivational Enhancement Therapy, we'll explore your core values and what's most important to help increase your motivation for positive change. You'll develop self-motivating strategies and coping skills to overcome barriers to achieving your goals.
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Neuropsychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that integrates principles from both psychotherapy and neurobiology. This method addresses issues by examining the interconnections between the brain, the body, personal experiences, and the environment. It takes into account the neural processes at play and their influence on thoughts, emotions, information processing, social interactions, and behavior.
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Instead of re-living problems, solution-focused therapy helps identify your strengths to improve your current life situation. We'll explore practical, effective solutions to concerns while developing proactive coping skills.
Monika Breidenbach, LCPC, NPT-C, CIMHP, NCC
Hi, I’m Monika.
I believe therapy should be more than just talking about problems—it should help you understand yourself, develop practical skills, and create meaningful change. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to move forward.
I earned my Master’s degree in Counseling from National Louis University and have worked in crisis intervention, hospital outpatient programs, and private practice. Over the years, I’ve helped children, teens, and adults navigate anxiety, depression, stress, burnout, self-esteem challenges, OCD, complex trauma (C-PTSD), life transitions, relationship difficulties, and cultural adjustment concerns.
As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Neuropsychotherapy Practitioner, I’m fascinated by the connection between the brain, emotions, and behavior. I combine evidence-based approaches such as CBT, DBT, ACT, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Neuropsychotherapy, mindfulness, and other integrative methods to create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.
I also believe mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. As a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, I help clients understand how factors such as nutrition, sleep, stress, and lifestyle can affect mood, anxiety, and overall well-being. Sometimes the missing piece isn’t just in your thoughts—it’s in how you’re caring for your whole self.
My approach is warm, practical, and collaborative, but I won’t just nod and ask, “How does that make you feel?” for 50 minutes. While I offer compassion and support, I’m also direct when needed because real growth often requires honest conversations and a gentle push outside your comfort zone. Many of my clients come to me when they’ve tried traditional talk therapy and are looking for practical tools, deeper insight, and lasting results.
I want every client to leave therapy with more than awareness. My goal is to help you build a toolkit of strategies you can actually use in everyday life. If you’re working with me, expect to gain practical skills, increased confidence, and a better understanding of yourself—not just a place to vent.
Fluent in both English and Polish, I enjoy working with people from diverse backgrounds and helping them discover their strengths, challenge limiting beliefs, and build lives that feel more meaningful and fulfilling.
Outside the office, you’ll usually find me spending time with animals, listening to music, experimenting in the kitchen, or convincing myself that buying one more houseplant is a completely reasonable decision. I believe healing happens through connection, compassion, self-discovery, and yes—sometimes a little humor.
Life can be challenging, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or simply ready for change, I’m here to help you move forward with clarity, resilience, and confidence.
I look forward to meeting you and being part of your journey.
Real conversations. Practical solutions. A little humor. A lot of growth.
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Real conversations. Practical solutions. A little humor. A lot of growth. 〰️
Your Path to Healing Starts Here
Every journey begins with a single step. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or seeking personal growth, we're here to walk alongside you. Our evidence-based, personalized approach combines traditional therapy with modern neuroscience to create lasting positive change.
✓ Free 15-minute consultation
✓ Flexible in-person and online sessions
✓ English and Polish language options
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
✓ Convenient Westmont location
✓ Evidence-based, personalized care