abby lankhorst
MD, Masters in Counseling Intern
Pronouns: She/Her
I believe the foundation of successful therapy is in the relationship between a client and therapist. It is my privilege to provide a safe, unbiased, open, and honest space for the sharing and honoring of one’s experiences. I work with my clients to understand their emotions and physical responses by discovering the meaning behind them. Finding and putting a voice to one’s story can allow us to move forward in ways that feel safe, productive, and purposeful. I hope to instill in each person I join with a sense of agency and a feeling of being understood.
I use a variety of therapeutic styles depending on the needs of those I work with, including humanistic, systems based, strengths-based, narrative, and psychodynamic with a trauma informed lens. I enjoy exploring with clients what fits well and tailoring my approach to the time and needs of each individual.
I have had the privilege to work in many settings with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, races, gender identities, ages, socio-economic status, and sexual orientations. I received my medical degree from Creighton University and completed my Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Creighton University Medical Center. I have practiced as an OBGYN since 2013 and I currently work in a community based medical setting in Chicago. I am completing my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
I hope to use my experience as a physician to help clients develop a deeper understanding and compassion for their own mind-body system and how wonderfully adaptive it can be with the right support and guidance. I also hope to help those who operate in complex medical systems understand the traumas inherent in these large, rigid places. Understanding and caring for those traumas can help us find freedom and joy again.
Contact me to get started.
Email: abbyl@agavechicago.com