Introducing Lara Alkurdi - ELC's Newest Therapist!
By Erinn Williams, LCPC
We are so excited to welcome and introduce Lara Alkurdi, MSW, LSW (pending) - our newest therapist at ELC! I’ve spent this last week working closely with her and have to say, we (our therapists and clients) are very fortunate to have Lara as part of our team. Her passion and drive to work with those struggling with anxiety and depression and other mental health issues is incredible.
Below, Lara shares a little bit about herself, her experience and what motivates her to elevate the lives of others!
Hello and nice to meet you! I’m Lara Alkurdi and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Elevated Life Counseling team! My passion for helping others is what led me to the mental health field. I’m motivated knowing that I am able to be a resource that can guide my clients through their mental-health journey, resulting in a happier, healthier lifestyle.
I grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and received my MSW from Loyola University of Chicago. I’m a huge basketball fan and absolutely love going to the gym. It’s the perfect time to declutter my mind, get my body moving and focus on ME!
As a therapist, it is my goal to develop a therapeutic alliance with my clients to work through and understand the challenges and obstacles that you might be facing. Transparency is so important. It begins with good communication and encouraging my clients to explore the full range of their life experiences, along with their sense of self and relationships.
I have experience working with an array of cultures, populations and genders, including those facing depression, anxiety and those that might have mixed-feelings about changing their behavior. Opening up in therapy can be a vulnerable experience and I believe that one of the most important components of effective therapy is making sure that my clients feel safe and comfortable.
I incorporate CBT and strengths-based approaches when working with clients. Change can be difficult and I look forward to helping you find the motivation you need to make positive behavior changes in your life!
If Lara seems like someone you would be interested in working with, please connect with us to book a complimentary consultation. She is currently accepting new clients and available for individual therapy appointments - both in-person and via Telehealth!