Angelica Kociolek is a recent graduate of the University of Chicago’s Master of Social Policy and Social Administration program, where she specialized in the clinical track. She also received her Graduate Program in Health Administration and Policy Certificate, completing a research internship focused on creating behavioral health resources for the University of Chicago Medicine’s Primary Care–Behavioral Health Integration Program. Angelica completed one of her master’s-level internships at Thresholds, where she gained extensive experience working one-on-one with individuals who have serious mental illness. She aided them in navigating their everyday lives while coping with mental health symptoms, meeting them where they were. Angelica’s clinical track internship was at a DBT practice, where she gained foundational knowledge and experience in providing evidence-based DBT treatment. She truly believes in the DBT assumptions that acknowledge people are trying their best and that they also can and want to do better. Angelica was drawn to DBT because of the way it collaborates with clients’ needs while also including an entire treatment team in one’s care that roots for their success.

Prior to her master’s program, Angelica did extensive work as an advocate for survivors of sexual violence. She is passionate about providing trauma-informed care to each person she works with, while respecting the client’s role in guiding their own journey of healing—an essential part of helping them build a “life worth living.” Angelica is dedicated to working with survivors of sexual violence and those with trauma histories, as well as individuals who engage in self-harm or have suicidal behaviors. Her stance in therapy is to work with clients and “meet them where they’re at,” while also recognizing their potential for personal growth and self-development. She believes that therapy should be a warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental space that allows clients to be the guides of their own lives, while she assists and challenges them in setting and achieving their goals. Angelica is receiving training in DBT through Behavioral Tech and is in the process of obtaining her LSW.

Outside of the therapy room, Angelica enjoys spending time with her dog, Bear; spending time with loved ones; or watching new crime documentaries. She loves taking care of her plants, trying out new hobbies, and baking whenever she gets the chance!