Annette Popernik is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in practice since 2017. Professionally, Annette has worked in outpatient, integrated-care, and hospital settings providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, life transitions, family dynamics, chronic illness/pain, and various disabilities. Annette received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master of Social Work with a specialization in Mental Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She completed her Clinical Internship at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital.
She has extensive experience in practicing various treatment modalities including cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, motivational interviewing, and dialectical behavior therapy. However, Annette believes therapy is overall a conversation and a first step. Her goal is to guide patients to use their strengths while believing in themselves and what they can do on their own healing journey. She feels she is there to shine a flashlight, to guide, but the patient is and will be the person to create the change and healing they need in their lives.
To promote that emotional wellness, Annette focuses on incorporating both physical and mental health and care. As a Latina therapist and Mexican-American, her cultural identity is integral to who she is and to her practice. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian, Annette is passionate about providing linguistically and culturally competent care and continues to serve individuals from various races and ethnicities including many immigrant individuals and families. Using this culturally aware and strengths-based approach, Annette listens to the patient’s needs and guides them based on their values and beliefs whether that be to incorporate their faith or simply their values as a person.
