We're all about authenticity here.

We're our authentic selves regardless of where you meet us – in therapy, on the street, front row at a concert – you'll always get our unfiltered honesty. Despite being super different individuals, our team at Hold the Vision has always found cohesion under the shared vision of helping others grow. Whether you need someone comforting to cry with or shared humor when the timing is right, we're here for both.

Have a little scroll and get to know us (and our furry co-therapists). We each have distinct areas of expertise, plus open-book personalities that make us uniquely ourselves. For information about fees and insurance, scroll down to the FAQ section on our services page.

Meet Our Team

Samantha Jones

LMFT
Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Billing Specialist and Intake
Coordinator

  • Are you noticing yourself competing with your negative self-talk, struggling to manage the stressors in your life, or wanting to develop the tools needed for meaningful connections with those around you? Chances are, I'm the therapist for you.

    As an associate licensed marriage and family therapist with a passion for addressing individual and relational issues, I am dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of your relationships, your emotional health, and personal growth. With over 2 years of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals and relationships using a combination of evidence-based therapies and a deep understanding of the unique challenges you might face today. I will strive to provide a warm and nonjudgmental space as I guide you toward resilience and fulfillment. 

    I specialize in working with:

    - Intimate relationship issues such as:

    • Building healthy communication

    • Establishing boundaries

    • Building trust

    • Infidelity recovery

    • Conflict resolution

    • Intimacy concerns

     

    -  Individual issues such as:

    • Life stage transitions, including grief and loss

    • Exploring identity and sense of self

    • Trauma

    • Managing stress, anxiety, and/or depression

    • Understanding emotions

    • Improving communication

    • Men’s issues, including embracing vulnerability and redefining masculinity

    As a queer woman, I understand the importance of providing a poly and LGBTQIA+ affirming space for my clients to feel safe as they can explore their identities and relationships. As a white woman, I am committed to the internal and external work of anti-racism and dismantling oppressive systems in the therapy space and in my community.

    Before my training at Adler, I received a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Roosevelt University and spent over five years working in the hotel industry. I have worked in various roles, from human resources to event operations to front office operations. Throughout those experiences, I focused on my client’s needs and responded from a caring and professional stance. As your therapist, I will continue doing just that. 

     

    I recognize that you might be curious to learn more about me as the woman behind the therapist (totally natural; I would be, too!) In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends, including my cats Luna and Boo (see below!) and my many nieces and nephews (I have nine so far!). I enjoy trying new restaurants, taking long walks, listening to podcasts, and traveling.

    I hope I get the chance to meet you and help you begin your therapeutic journey! Feel free to reach out for a consultation or to learn more about how we can work together!

     

Faye Williams

ALMFT
Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

  • Hello! 

    Taking a step towards prioritizing your mental health is profoundly courageous of you. I'm here to offer support, whether you're navigating challenges or seeking personal growth. My approach combines Somatic Parts Work and psychoeducation, particularly Attachment Theory, to foster a more fulfilling relationship with yourself and with others. Within the therapeutic relationship, we’ll cultivate a safe space for exploration that is focused on your well-being.

    I meet with clients of all ages to address emotional, relational, and somatic symptoms of:

    • Complex and Religious Trauma

    • Sexual, narcissistic, and/or spiritual abuse

    • Depression

    • Anxiety

    • OCD/Religious Scrupulosity

    • Grief

    • Disordered Eating

    • Marriage and Parenting Challenges

    I have worked with children and families for over 3 decades and studied Early Childhood Education and Psychology at DePaul. 20 years later, I completed grad school and now hold an Associate License for Marriage and Family Therapy. Along with this team, I am dedicated to continuously reflecting and learning in order to offer the most anti-racist and decolonized practice.

    Now that I’m back in Chicago, I take the train wherever I can, checking out different bookstores around the city, or finding where kombucha is on draught, get to and in the lake as often as possible, and marvel at the quick and extreme weather changes (I’m from the Midwest but spent over 11 years in Los Angeles where the season changes are more subtle). At home, I’m cooking (I love to recreate Lebanese dishes from family holidays), reading fiction or trying to, tending to my plants, or playing fetch with my sweet and silly grown-up kitten, Peach. 

    Thanks for being here! I'm looking forward to engaging in this process with you!

Michela Stevenson

ALMFT
Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

  • Hi there, I'm Michela! Are you and your partner struggling with the same arguments over and over again? Does it feel like no matter what you have tried, you always end up in the same spot - feeling overwhelmed, defeated, and hopeless? Perhaps you have tried couples therapy before, only to feel as if you didn’t get anywhere, leaving you to wonder if this feeling of disconnection may be a permanent state. 

    If any of the above sounds familiar, I am here to assure you that you are not alone; there is hope for your relationship if you are willing to try something new, and I am here to help guide you.

    I specialize in working with couples, many of whom are dealing with multiple external stressors and feel stuck when it comes to their communication. My style is direct but always empathetic. The comfort of both clients is essential to the success of this work, so I tailor my approach depending on what each couple needs. I use a combination of some of the most popular evidence-based couples therapy models, including The Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). 

    My areas of expertise are: 

    • Communication and conflict management both within the couple unit and with other members of a family system.

    • Navigating major life transitions (marriage, grief & loss, new baby)

    • Parenting and division of labor

    • Perinatal and postpartum, including infertility and family planning

    • Infidelity

    • Divorce, co-parenting, and healthy relationship dissolution

    • Discernment (deciding whether or not to continue a relationship)

    Outside the therapy room, my focus shifts to family. Together we enjoy checking out Chicago walking trails and the city's amazing restaurant scene - I love a great brunch! While I have limited downtime as a parent, I love listening to therapy podcasts and checking out the best new relationship books to add to my office collection. 

    If you and your partner are interested in working with me, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I offer complimentary video or phone consultations to see if we are the right fit for each other, and I also welcome questions via email.

    *Please note that this practitioner only sees couples therapy clients during evening hours.

Nicole Lopez

ALMFT
Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

  • What are you looking for in a therapist? Is it a warm and direct approach? A sense of humor? Someone to walk alongside you as you build more authentic and fulfilling relationships to yourself and others? Then you have come to the right place! As a couple and family therapist, I strive to provide a safe and encouraging space for intimate relationships, families, and individuals to process, heal, challenge patterns, explore different ways of thinking… and even enjoy some fun and laughs along the way!

    As a queer woman of color, I have a passion for working with relationships that lie outside of what society would deem “traditional”. I am LGBTQIA+/poly affirming, kink-aware, and practice therapy from a feminist, anti-racist, and Health at Every Size perspective.

    I specialize in and enjoy working with relationships and families navigating::

    • conflict

    • intimacy/sexual concerns

    • communication issues

    • genuine trust and connection building

    • life transitions

    • parenting

    In case you’re curious about the human behind the therapist, I’m always happy to share a bit about myself with clients. When I’m not in therapy world, you can find me in my kitchen cooking and singing, spending time with family and friends, or coloring, reading, and enjoying the sunlight by the Lakefront. I love traveling, both to explore new places and to visit my people on the East Coast where I grew up! And yes, this therapist loves binge-watching TV shows on her couch just as much as you do.

    I know from experience how much courage it takes to share your story with a therapist. I also know from experience how incredibly life-changing working with the right therapist can be. I’d be honored to be a part of your journey toward creating the life you truly desire and deserve. If you think we might be a good fit, let's chat!

Dr. Rachel Miller

LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and Founder of Hold the Vision Therapy.

  • If you’re searching for a therapist who is quiet, reserved, does a lot of nodding, and asks “How does that make you feel?” I’m probably not the therapist for you. On the other hand if you’re wanting someone with a more direct approach who is focused on digging in with you to help identify and change unhelpful patterns, beliefs, and behaviors in your life and relationships, then I’m your person.

    Relationships are my area of expertise. Whether you’re wanting to improve your relationship with yourself, your partner(s), your kids, extended family, or friends, I can help.

    I have extensive experience with:

    • communication issues

    • intimacy concerns

    • infidelity

    • life transitions

    • Trauma and PTSD

    • conflict resolution and high conflict scenarios such as:

      • domestic violence

      • separation/divorce

      • co-parenting/blending families

      • anger management and emotional regulation

    Prior to becoming a therapist I was an adult sex educator so I’m passionate about helping you navigate issues that get in the way of the sexual relationships you desire. If you’re wanting to improve your sex life know I'm poly and LGBTQIA+ affirmative, kink knowledgeable, a member of Kink & Poly Aware Chicago Therapists (KPACT) and a professional affiliate of Kink Aware Professionals through NCFS.

    Therapy can support your personal growth journey too! If you’re wanting to:

    • increase self-awareness

    • develop greater emotional intelligence

    • improve your self-esteem

    • create a plan for your future

    • or just figure out how you might be the one standing in between you and the dream life you imagined

    We should definitely chat!

    In addition to my clinical self, I find most clients are curious about me personally as well. When I’m not seeing clients I can be found teaching graduate students at Adler University and Iona University, supervising student and associate licensed clinicians but most often you’ll find me hanging with my two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Stout & Woodford (a.k.a. Woods).

    I’m that obnoxious dog mom whose pups have their own Instagram (feel free to follow them; they’re pretty cute). I’m an avid reader, which means I have lots of great book suggestions for both therapy (check out our resources page) and fun. I love to travel, especially to places with great beaches, fabulous food, and beautiful architecture. Lastly, I’m obsessed with tea and plants (my pandemic hobby).

    The best part about therapy with me now days is that it happens from the comfort of your own home. Teletherapy is both convenient and effective. Some of the most impactful work I’ve done has been with clients I’ve never met IRL. 

    Ready to get started? Have more questions?

Meet our
Co-Therapists

Sam’s Cats Luna & Boo

Faye’s Cat Peach

Michela’s Dog Oshie

Rachel’s Pups Stout & Woodford

Nicole’s dog Cali

Looking for suggestions you can use right now? Check out our resources.