Monika Breidenbach, LCPC in Westmont, IL


‍ Therapy Designed Around You

Start Your Journey to Wellness Today

A stressed person with her hands on her head, representing the need for mental health support and therapy.

Do you find yourself constantly worrying, overthinking, or expecting the worst? Are fear of judgment, perfectionism, OCD, panic attacks, or health anxiety making it difficult to enjoy life?

Are you feeling weighed down by sadness, hopelessness, or a loss of interest in the things that once brought you joy?

Are past experiences still affecting your daily life? Do intrusive thoughts, painful memories, or a constant sense of unease make it hard to feel safe and at peace?

Are you facing a major life transition, feeling stuck, or searching for personal growth but unsure of your next steps?

Do you feel disconnected from your partner or loved ones, wondering how you drifted apart from someone who once felt so close?

You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Therapy can help you gain clarity, build resilience, and create meaningful change.

At Monika Breidenbach LCPC Counseling and Stress Management, we get it. Life can be overwhelming, and sometimes it helps to have the right support by your side. We understand that every person’s story is unique, which is why we take a personalized, whole-person approach to therapy.

We go beyond simply talking about problems. Together, we’ll explore the bigger picture, using thoughtful assessments, evidence-based therapy, and insights from neuroscience and integrative mental health to better understand your needs. We’ll build a strong therapeutic relationship based on trust, honesty, and collaboration while providing practical tools and strategies you can use in everyday life.

Our style is warm, supportive, and direct when needed—because sometimes growth requires a gentle push. We believe therapy should feel comfortable, authentic, and even include a little humor along the way.

Whether you prefer in-person or online sessions, we offer personalized care in both English and Polish, helping you build resilience, find balance, and create lasting positive change.

Take the First Step Towards a Brighter Future

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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

A man standing on a mountain summit, representing the journey of self-discovery and personal growth through individual therapy.
  • 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.

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Our Specialities

A man sitting on his balcony, appearing worried or anxious, depicting the need for anxiety disorder therapy to find relief from overwhelming symptoms.
  • 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.

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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.

  • 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.

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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