Vanesa Zografski
M.A, LPC, NCC
Pronouns: She/Her
Offering in-person sessions in Chicago on Wednesdays and telehealth across Illinois throughout the week
Support for Life Transitions, Identity, and the Relationships That Shape You.
Collaborative, values-driven therapy that helps you turn what feels like a setback into your next step forward.
Let’s Start Here
Maybe you're standing at the edge of a new chapter — becoming a parent, redefining yourself after your kids have grown, starting over in a new career, or renegotiating who you are as the world around you keeps shifting. The role you used to know how to play doesn't quite fit anymore, and you're not yet sure what replaces it. You might notice old patterns creeping back in — perfectionism, self-doubt, or a pull to control what you can't. Underneath it, you're craving a version of your life where you can speak up, set limits, and feel steady in your own skin again.
What would you say to someone who’s nervous or unsure about starting therapy?
Some of life's biggest shifts don't come with a manual — becoming a parent, launching into adulthood, or figuring out who you are once the house gets quiet. I'm Vanesa Zografski, a licensed professional counselor at Tides Mental Health, and this in-between space is exactly where I like to work. If any of this sounds familiar, let's figure out your next chapter together — not the version anyone else expects.
What would you say to someone who’s nervous or unsure about starting therapy?
Some of life's biggest shifts don't come with a manual — becoming a parent, launching into adulthood, or figuring out who you are once the house gets quiet. I'm Vanesa Zografski, a licensed professional counselor at Tides Mental Health, and this in-between space is exactly where I like to work. If any of this sounds familiar, let's figure out your next chapter together — not the version anyone else expects.
What It’s Like to Work Together
Sessions with me tend to start with your values — what actually matters to you — so the goals we set feel meaningful instead of generic. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we'll get specific about the life you want to build, even while big feelings are still part of the picture. When old patterns or inner conflict show up — the part of you that pushes for perfection, or the part that shuts down under pressure — we'll use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to get curious about those parts instead of fighting them. If you're looking for something more hands-on, we'll bring in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to help you ride out intense emotions and communicate more clearly when things feel highest-stakes. Throughout, I'll explain what we're doing and why in plain language, and I'll look for the ways your so-called "drawbacks" — that compulsive streak, that intensity — are actually strengths we can put to work for you.
What can clients expect it to feel like in a session with you?
A session with me feels less like a lecture and more like a real conversation — direct, warm, sometimes even a little playful. I'll give you honest feedback in the moment, not just nodding along, because I think that's how real change happens. And if something doesn't feel useful, tell me, and we'll adjust it together until it fits.
What’s one reason you’re passionate about the work you do?
I grew up between two countries and two languages, and I know what it's like to hold more than one version of yourself at once. That's part of why I love this work — helping people see that the traits they've been told are flaws are often exactly what makes them resourceful, resilient, and ready for what's next.
Clinical Specialties
- Life transitions — new parenthood, career changes, young adulthood, and the empty-nest years
- Obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors
- Perfectionism and burnout
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression and mood
- Setting boundaries and communicating your needs clearly
- Anxious or avoidant patterns in relationships
- Difficulty tolerating uncertainty and self-doubt
- Couples navigating communication struggles or reconnection
Treatment Modalities
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – get clear on what matters most to you and set goals that fit around your values, not just around the anxiety.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) – get to know the different "parts" of you, like the perfectionist or the protector, and learn to work with them instead of against them.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - build a practical toolbox for riding out big emotions and communicating clearly when the stakes feel high.
- Trauma-informed care – process how past experiences still shape your patterns today, at a pace that feels safe for you.
Populations Served
- Adults and adolescents (13+)
- Couples navigating transitions or communication struggles
- New parents adjusting to their identity
- Older adults redefining themselves in the empty-nest years
- Geriatric clients
- Bulgarian-speaking clients
Training & Credentials
- Education: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Northwestern University - B.A. in Psychology and Studio Art, Lake Forest College
- Licensure: Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); National Certified Counselor (NCC)
- Languages Spoken: Fluent in English and Bulgarian
- Availability: Offering in-person sessions in Chicago on Wednesdays and telehealth across Illinois throughout the week
You don't have to have this next chapter mapped out before you reach out — that's part of what we'll figure out together. Whether you're stepping into parenthood, stepping back from a role you've outgrown, or just tired of the same patterns repeating, I'd be glad to help you find your footing.
Insurance We Accept
We accept most major insurance providers and offer several convenient payment methods to ensure accessibility for your care. We also offer various payment methods, including credit cards, bank transfers, and electronic payments.
