Whitney Bruni, M.S., LCPC

As a licensed professional counselor who focuses on a client-centered strengths-based approach, I help you overcome obstacles that stand in the way of attaining your full potential. 

We all feel stuck, hopeless, or at times, lost. It is brave to want more and to seek help. Therapy is a powerful tool. I use my experience and cognitive training to help you gain insight into yourself and your true motivations so you have the tools to recognize patterns and blind spots that unconsciously cause those stuck or unhappy feelings. 

I work primarily with adolescents 14 years and older as well as adults, and couples. I focus on cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused therapy to help others live more internationally and fully, with a special focus on women's issues, post-partum, grief, trauma, divorce, anxiety, and depression. 

Congratulations on taking the first step! Reaching out and finding a professional to work with can feel challenging and overwhelming. Allow me to make that path a bit easier for you by sharing a few important details about myself and my work. 

As a clinician, I employ a strengths-based approach to help you identify goals for your life and work towards them. I work extensively with adults and adolescents with anxiety, depression, and relational challenges. I also provide essential support for new parents. I can help you navigate the joys and challenges of new parenthood while keeping a focus on self-care too. 

As each client presents with unique needs, therapy should be an individual experience tailored to you.  I draw tools from Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) that best meet your needs. 

I work with a multitude of clients to identify and healthily express their emotions, teaching them various coping skills. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and

adults. I have worked with those suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, grief and loss, addiction, and those having a hard time finding themselves. I believe in the importance of building rapport using empathy and compassion to reach clients of all ages.

I take a client-centered approach while empowering the client to challenge themselves. My approach to therapy is based on the client's need, helping each client through their journey. I utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based therapy. I am also trained in EMDR to help process trauma.

Therapy should be a real experience, where one does not have to feel judged or uncomfortable, allowing each client to fully be themselves in a welcoming environment . I believe it is important to walk alongside the client, helping the client feel they are not alone.

As a licensed professional counselor, I have extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, and couples, in various different settings including inpatient, residential, and outpatient levels of care. I have worked with clients with a variety of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, life transitions, grief/loss, as well as self-esteem and self-compassion issues. 

I use a person-centered therapeutic approach while also using various treatment modalities based on each client’s needs. Examples of treatment approaches that I will utilize are Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). I have also completed Level 1 of the Gottman Couples Therapy Certification. 

I approach therapy with curiosity, empathy, and openness while placing importance on building a strong, authentic connection with every client. My goal is to meet each client where they’re at and create a treatment plan that is unique to each person. The therapeutic relationship is an important aspect of therapy, so understanding a client’s individual preferences and needs, is very important to me. I look forward to walking on this journey of healing with you.

Making the first move to get therapy is the hardest part. But, over my 25-year span as a counselor, I have never met anyone who wasn't glad they took that first step! Life can be overwhelming and you may feel like you have the answers, yet still aren't feeling better. Often the voice of an experienced professional is what it takes to put those answers into action. I will approach our sessions drawing from CBT, DBT and Emotionally Focused therapies. I am goal-oriented and client-centered. I want you to leave therapy with the changes that you came in looking for. 

I work with adolescents, adults, and couples who are dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, life transitions, relationship and career issues. I am passionate about women's issues, and I am certified in both eating disorders/weight issues and hypnotherapy. I also have extensive experience working with LGBTQ individuals and couples. 

It is important to find a therapist that makes you feel comfortable and safe. I believe the therapist/client bond is the most important part of therapy. I want us to get to know each other as people. Our personalities, our senses of humor, our attitudes. If that bond is there, together we can make change happen!

You matter, and so does your story. With empathy and compassion, I will listen and help guide you through your past and present experiences while providing a safe, trustworthy, and warm environment. My approach is integrated into your needs and what you are comfortable with. No matter what life experiences you have endured or are currently struggling with (relationship issues, trauma, grief, emotional distress, life transitions), I will provide space for you to heal and strengthen so you can become empowered to take charge of your own life.

I work with adult individuals and couples of all races, ethnicity, and gender. My passion is to help others on their journey through life transitions, adjustments to change, and preventative support for ongoing emotions that may be causing disruption in your life.
Being human can be difficult at times, and life can be messy, but we do not have to let our emotions have control over the joys that life also brings. My goal in therapy is to create a relationship and provide the space to help you untether from emotional pain that may have developed from past trauma, early childhood experiences, or current life stressors.

I am here to listen to your journey with compassion and understanding because it matters. In my journey so far, I have handled multiple academic experiences at Loyola University. As a result, I bring to our therapy relationship a combination of academic knowledge and genuine connection. I became aware of the transforming impact of hands-on learning while attending Loyola University. My own experiences and studies have increased my understanding of the complexities of everyday life in addition to delivering theoretical knowledge. 

I plan on working with children, adolescents, and adults. As your therapist in training, I intend to apply this understanding into our sessions, creating our course of action to satisfy your specific wants and needs. My practice is inclusive and affirming of individuals and couples from all backgrounds. I believe in creating a safe and positive space where you can explore your experiences with authenticity and vulnerability. 

Life is filled with both joys and challenges, and I'm here to support you through it all. Your story matters, you matter, and I'm committed to walking alongside you as you navigate your path towards healing, strength, and growth. 

As a student at National Louis University, I have extensively studied many theories. This knowledge helps me to craft my approach based on your current needs. I generally utilize solution-focused and narrative techniques to bolster understanding and help you identify and implement workable solutions. In coordination with these approaches, I apply Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) methods in tandem with our other efforts.  

I am new to therapy, but along with education, I bring a wide variety of life experiences to my therapeutic practice. I have held construction and elementary education careers, and I enjoy working with individuals ranging from Kindergarteners to top-level executives. 

One of my favorite sayings is, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” This quote echoes my approach to therapy: teamwork, empathy, and mutual respect. Life presents difficulties at every stage, and my goal is to be your partner in overcoming and prospering.