Bridgette Koukos, LCPC, NCC
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Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor National Certified Counselor To make an appointment with Bridgette, please call 630-570-0050. You can also email Contact.OH@OakHeartCenter.com.
Specializes In:Substance Use Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Perinatal and Postpartum Anxiety/Depression, Life Stressors, Trauma, First Responders, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Infertility
Ages Served: Adults |
Professional Experience
I received my Bachelor of Science Degree from Rockford College where I majored in psychology and minored in human development. I went on to complete my Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in addiction treatment from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Throughout my education, I completed various internships at residential treatment facilities, and outpatient treatment programs, working with adults with severe developmental issues where I taught adults basic life skills to help them gain a sense of independence. I also spent time working with a correctional facility to rehabilitate juvenile offenders where we worked to lower the recidivism rate.
Specializations and Treatment Approach
tI currently treat:
Substance Use Disorders
Anxiety, Depression, ADHD
Perinatal and Postpartum Anxiety/Depression, Infertility
Life Stressors
Trauma
First Responders
I have previously spent the last eight years working with adolescents ages 12-18, within the last 5 years I began to transition into the young adult/adult population where I have worked on devoting my time to seeing and treating individuals. I regularly attend Continuing Education seminars where I am learning the newest treatments and interventions to best help, my clients. I would describe my therapeutic approach as Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) while implementing mindfulness and humor into my practice. Doing so has allowed me to create a safe space for my clients, to not only feel heard but accepted without judgment. When working with me, you will notice flexible structure that will accommodate the necessary shift in therapy, humor, and homework assignments to further your growth outside the therapy session. I strongly believe that in order to have success in therapy, it requires not only a strong therapeutic relationship, but also a willingness from the client to be open, honest, and vulnerable. I am invested in helping my clients reach their full potential.
Substance Use Disorders
Anxiety, Depression, ADHD
Perinatal and Postpartum Anxiety/Depression, Infertility
Life Stressors
Trauma
First Responders
I have previously spent the last eight years working with adolescents ages 12-18, within the last 5 years I began to transition into the young adult/adult population where I have worked on devoting my time to seeing and treating individuals. I regularly attend Continuing Education seminars where I am learning the newest treatments and interventions to best help, my clients. I would describe my therapeutic approach as Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) while implementing mindfulness and humor into my practice. Doing so has allowed me to create a safe space for my clients, to not only feel heard but accepted without judgment. When working with me, you will notice flexible structure that will accommodate the necessary shift in therapy, humor, and homework assignments to further your growth outside the therapy session. I strongly believe that in order to have success in therapy, it requires not only a strong therapeutic relationship, but also a willingness from the client to be open, honest, and vulnerable. I am invested in helping my clients reach their full potential.
About Me
What are your professional and personal values?
Honesty, effort, authenticity, passion, and spirituality, are my top five values. I believe that in any relationship if you are not honest the relationship will flounder. With that said it also takes effort and willingness to maintain those relationships. Being authentic means that my values align with my actions. When someone is passionate about something they will place their full effort into that task and undoubtedly find enjoyment in it. For me being passionate about my work leads me to always come in with a smile on my face, enjoy each day, and always ask questions to continue to expand my knowledge and understanding. Spirituality is a broad concept with room to allow for many perspectives. While some may find comfort in a relationship with a higher power, it also means seeking comfort and meaning through connecting to art and nature. Spirituality is about seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger than yourself, which can result in positive emotions, such as peace, contentment, gratitude, and acceptance.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
Passionate, goofy, empathetic, encouraging, and definitely casual, you will most likely see me in jeans, and sneakers, but I promise that does not take away from my skills as a licensed clinician. Rather, I just want to be comfortable. I will tell you how it is, while also using humor as a point of connection or to also break up the seriousness of the moment (if necessary). I will be the biggest supporter and continue to root for you when you feel like giving up on yourself.
What are some of your favorite self care activities?
If I am not busy you will find me attached to my Kindle lost in a book; 9 times out of 10 I am hanging with my dogs. I also love to listen to podcasts, play video games or get sucked into a good documentary.
Honesty, effort, authenticity, passion, and spirituality, are my top five values. I believe that in any relationship if you are not honest the relationship will flounder. With that said it also takes effort and willingness to maintain those relationships. Being authentic means that my values align with my actions. When someone is passionate about something they will place their full effort into that task and undoubtedly find enjoyment in it. For me being passionate about my work leads me to always come in with a smile on my face, enjoy each day, and always ask questions to continue to expand my knowledge and understanding. Spirituality is a broad concept with room to allow for many perspectives. While some may find comfort in a relationship with a higher power, it also means seeking comfort and meaning through connecting to art and nature. Spirituality is about seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger than yourself, which can result in positive emotions, such as peace, contentment, gratitude, and acceptance.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
Passionate, goofy, empathetic, encouraging, and definitely casual, you will most likely see me in jeans, and sneakers, but I promise that does not take away from my skills as a licensed clinician. Rather, I just want to be comfortable. I will tell you how it is, while also using humor as a point of connection or to also break up the seriousness of the moment (if necessary). I will be the biggest supporter and continue to root for you when you feel like giving up on yourself.
What are some of your favorite self care activities?
If I am not busy you will find me attached to my Kindle lost in a book; 9 times out of 10 I am hanging with my dogs. I also love to listen to podcasts, play video games or get sucked into a good documentary.
Blogs:
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Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been an astronomical amount of individuals experiencing depressive and anxious symptoms, and some of these individuals have turned to substances to cope. It is important that we check in on them and have conversations on how they are actually feeling and doing. Engage in active listening skills such as being present in the conversation by demonstrating the ability to paraphrase or summarize what they said. This shows them that we are paying attention...(to read more, click on the link above).
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May 4th is World Postpartum/Maternal Mental Health Day; therefore, I felt it is important to shed light on this area. 1 in 5 new mothers and 1 in 3 mother's of color will experience to some symptoms of Perinatal Anxiety or Depression. It is also important to mention that approximately 10% of fathers struggle with postpartum symptoms as well...(to read more, click on the link above).
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Depression can include, but is not limited to, feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, poor sleep patterns, as well as suicidal ideations. People who live with depression may find themselves engaging in behavioral patterns and avoiding certain tasks, both healthy and unhealthy. Many individuals with depression find that there are more days than not when they do not have the energy or motivation to shower, brush their teeth, change their underwear, tidy up the house, or wash a pile of dirty dishes. What are normal daily habits for others, can seem unobtainable for those with depression...(to read more, click on the link above).
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Before we begin explaining ways to move past trauma experiences, I think it is important to first go through and better understand what trauma is, and the various events that it can present from. For those who do not know what trauma is, it is the result of an extraordinarily stressful event that usually involves a threat to life or safety. After experiencing a traumatic event, it can leave the individual feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust others. It may also leave you feeling overwhelmed and cause you to begin to isolate yourself from others...(to read more, click on the link above).
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The dictionary definition of the word self-love is defined as an appreciation of one's own worth; proper regard for and attention to one's own happiness or well-being. In my professional experience, I have noticed that a lot of individuals worry that loving and having pride in themselves equates to being conceited or narcissistic. When working on improving your own self-love, that means working on accepting yourself fully, treating yourself with kindness and respect, and helping facilitate your own growth and wellbeing. It not only encompasses how you treat yourself, but also your own thoughts and feelings about yourself. I have to point out that this does not mean having a 24/7 positive view of self, as that may be unrealistic, but we want to get to a place where we can have a majority of positive views and positive treatment of oneself than not...(to read more, click on the link above).
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