Aria Counseling, PLLC

Aria Counseling is a small group practice in downtown Chicago offering depth-oriented psychotherapy for adults, couples, teens, and children. We’re a team of clinicians who care about both insight and real change. Many of the people who come to us are functioning well on the outside but feel caught in familiar loops underneath — relationship struggles, anxiety, grief, self-doubt, emotional numbness, perfectionism, or a persistent sense that something isn’t quite working despite their best efforts. Together, we slow things down enough to understand what keeps repeating, and why. Our work is thoughtful, collaborative, and deeply attentive to the person sitting in the room. Our aim is durable change, the kind that allows for a steadier relationship to yourself, to others, and to the life you want to inhabit more fully. Meet Our Clinicians Our clinicians share a commitment to depth-oriented therapy, but no two of us work in exactly the same way. Each brings a distinct perspective shaped by personal and professional experience. What connects us is a trust in the therapeutic relationship as a space where meaningful change can take root, and an attention to tailoring the work to the person in front of us. Richard Burlenski Richard is a licensed a clinical professional counselor. He earned his master’s degree in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt University where he honed skills working with adults and adolescents from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of needs. He specializes in issues revolving around grief & loss, relationship conflict, and trauma. He also works with issues of self-esteem, sexuality, and aging. Richard utilizes a therapeutic approach grounded in logotherapy, while integrating techniques from modalities like acceptance and commitment therapy and gestalt therapy. His approach is centered around identifying a person’s core values and assisting them in better enacting those values to cultivate a lifestyle that is meaningful and fulfilling. Richard’s perspective acknowledges the interconnectedness of a person’s mind, body, and spirit, as well as the relationship between the person and their environment. Through compassionate and inquisitive dialogue, he aims to build a therapeutic relationship that not only encourages self-assurance, but also offers insight into how the client constructs meaning from their experiences so that they better understand themselves in the world. Request an in-person or teletherapy appointment with Richard by clicking on the “Request Appointment” button at the top of this page, or by calling (312) 448-9440. Rachel Cash Rachel is a Licensed Social Worker. She has earned a Master's in Social Work from The University of Chicago, as well as a BS from The University of Michigan. She specializes in fostering positive change through a strengths-based, goal-oriented approach that draws inspiration from behavioral and psychoanalytic modalities. At the core of Rachel's practice is a deep belief in the transformative power of the therapeutic relationship. She recognizes that individuals who have experienced interpersonal trauma often find the greatest healing in reparative relationships, and she strives to provide a non-judgmental and supportive space for her clients. Rachel's goal is to cultivate relational security and trust with her clients, using these as a springboard for healthier and more fulfilling connections beyond the therapy office. When she's not working, you'll find Rachel immersing herself in nature, exploring new culinary delights, delving into documentaries, penning poetry, and enjoying the company of her four-legged friends. Request an in-person or teletherapy appointment with Rachel by clicking on the “Request Appointment” button at the top of this page, or by calling (312) 605-5979. Nadia Hallak Nadia has over 15 years of experience as a clinician and professor of psychology. Her doctoral dissertation examined the impact of culture and emotion on marital satisfaction, and over the years she has cultivated expertise in working with couples from diverse backgrounds. Deeply empathic, Nadia seeks to comprehend the client’s world and the experiences they endured, in order to truly understand their emotions and world view. She relies on a broad set of therapeutic tools, including client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and EMDR for helping clients process PTSD and extreme trauma. Nadia’s areas of specialty include divorce, reproductive issues, relationship issues, body issues, career and life changes, and identity issues. She also focuses on cultural issues and finding one’s bicultural identity. She enjoys working with clients from all age groups. Nadia sees clients via teletherapy. Make an appointment with Nadia by contacting her: nadiahallak@ariacounseling.net Alexandra Hill With over a decade of experience in the mental health field, Alex began her career as a Special Education teacher, working with 9th-12th graders with significant cognitive impairments. After earning her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, she entered into school social work, serving students from preschool to 8th grade. She then transitioned to non-profit management, where she specialized in macro-level social work, as well as individual and group counseling with adults. Alex uses a holistic, culturally relevant approach specially designed to meet each client's unique needs. She values building a strong therapeutic relationship in to explore the root causes of presenting concerns, and to work toward incremental growth and change. Alex works with both children and adults, and she counsels individuals, couples and families. She specializes in trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, and perinatal, prenatal and postpartum mental health. She sees clients in person at our downtown location at 25 E. Washington St, and via teletherapy. Request an appointment with Alex by clicking on the “Request Appointment” button at the top of this page, or by calling (217) 669-4078. Maria Mastronardi Maria spent over 15 years as a professor of communication studies before shifting careers to practice psychotherapy. Her background in media and cultural studies, advanced training at the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute, and a long-time curiosity about human subjectivity, has indelibly shaped how she understands the problems people bring to therapy. In therapy, Maria treats every client's suffering with compassion and curiosity. Maria specializes in clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, eating disturbances, aging and life transitions, grief, identity issues, and low self-esteem. (Maria is not taking new clients at this time.) Sherida Pringle Sherinda has over 20 years of experience counseling diverse populations, primarily in social services environments. She has an integrative, holistic approach and is skilled in helping clients with traumatic loss, disability issues, life transitions, as well as with more general mental health struggles. Sherinda sees clients via teletherapy. Request an appointment with Sherinda by clicking on the “Request Appointment” button at the top of this page, or by calling (773) 232-4423. Ziyi Yang As a bilingual therapist fluent in both Mandarin and English, Ziyi brings both professional training and lived experience to her work. Ziyi spent her formative years in China. Since high school, she has completed her schooling in the United States, including earning her Master’s in counseling at Adler University. Ziyi understands the challenges of living “between” cultures and brings a deeply felt attunement to the invisible pressures related to identity, family expectations, and adapting to new environment. Ziyi’s approach is client-centered and trauma-informed; grounded in empathy, authenticity, and empowerment. She believes that healing begins with self-understanding—and that every small step toward self-acceptance is a powerful act of growth. Many of her clients struggle with anxiety, depression, burnout, perfectionism, and feeling “never good enough,” even when they appear capable on the outside. If you work with Ziyi, you will learn that therapy can be a space where you slow down, feel understood, and move forward with greater clarity, emotional balance, and self-trust. Ziyi sees adults and teens in person at our downtown office, and via teletherapy. Request an appointment with Ziyi by clicking on the “Request Appointment” button at the top of this page, or by calling (872) 395-8995.