“Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today. To get through this thing called life.”
―Prince
Life can be hard at time. We all need the help of others to get through it. Our inclusive therapists at MK Counseling and Wellness are available to support your mental health needs. We offer sliding scale therapy, In person therapist in Chicago, and therapy in Spanish.
Our Vision
Our vision is to deliver exceptional therapeutic support to individuals from all walks of life, with a commitment to serving marginalized populations. MK Counseling and Wellness fosters healing, empowerment, and overall well-being through offering culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, somatic counseling services.
My desire is to help people become the best version of themselves while pursuing the kind of life they actually want.... one with abundant freedom, joy, and to be fully embodied.
Our Values
Through our unwavering dedication to excellence and social equity, we aim to create positive, lasting impacts in the lives of our clients and contribute to a more just and compassionate society.
Our Continuum of Experience
This or That
Where we stand on super important stuff…. Agree/Disagree Grind Culture Boundaries Should’s Sunshine Perfectionism Long Walks Unplugging Saying no Deep Breaths Patriarchy Sex Positivity Anti-Oppression Neurodiversity Anti-Racism Fat Liberation Unrealistic Goal setting Diet Culture Taking Breaks Self Care We Believe:
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There is no universal rule book or guide on how to do life correctly. We believe everyone is doing the best that they can with tools, abilities, and understanding that they have at this current moment.
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We may not have created some of the hurdles that we face daily, however we are responsible for our own healing. We have all that we need to heal.
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Community is essential to restoring relationships, healing, and our overall well-being.
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We have the ability to regulate our physiology by learning how to listen, honor, and work with the body through breathing, moving, and touch.
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We can change social conditions to create environments in which we, the people we care about, and others feel safe and where they can thrive. Our therapists work within an anti-oppressive framework. We privilege marginalized people’s lived experience, activism, and voices as our most valuable resources.
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We all develop parts of our personality that are present to protect us depending on the environments that we are in.
MK Counseling and Wellness aims to support clients around various needs. However we recognize we may be not a fit for everyone. MK Counseling and Wellness does not provide counseling to those who are mandated by the court system. We do not provide documentation for Emotional Support Animals. Lastly, we do not counsel individuals around intentional weight loss. “You cannot, you cannot use someone else’s fire. You can only use your own. And in order to do that, you must first be willing to believe that you have it.”
— Audre Lorde
Melissa Kwafo, LCSWPractice Owner/Sensorimotor TherapistCurrently
Watching: "The Morning Show on Apple Tv"Reading: "Unmasking Autism by Devon Price, PH.D"Listening: "Invisibilia" PodcastFavorite Quote: "Mental health…is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going." — Noam Shpancer, PhDClinical Interests: Trauma, Anxiety, transitions and somatic work with Young adults and adults Rebecca Johnson, LCPCQueer Affirming TherapistCurrently
Watching: Julia, Abbot Elementary, True Detective: Night CountryReading: No Bad Parts - Richard Schwartz & Finding Me - Viola DavisListening: "Busy Phillipps doing her best" podcastFavorite Quote: “True belonging doesn't require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” - Brene BrownClinical Interests: Anxiety, relationships, and transitions with young adults, adults, and families within the LGBTQIA+ population Afsha Merchant, LPCMultilingual TherapistCurrently
Watching: " Love is Blind Season 6." Reading: "The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi"Listening: "Savvy Psychologist" PodcastFavorite Quote:Clinical Interest: Anxiety, relationship conflict, transitions with young adults, adults, and Latinx populations. Shelliah Williams, LCPCVirtual OnlyCurrently
Watching: Insecure by Issa RaeReading: "Worthy" by Jada Pinkett Smith Listening: "Heres The Thing" Podcast Favorite Quote: "Not everyone has to like it to be
the best" - TariqClinical Interest: Trauma, Anxiety, Depression with young adults, adults, and families Lauren Robinson, LCSW Queer Affirming TherapistCurrently
Watching: N/AReading: "The Body Is Not An Apology" by Sonya Renee TaylorListening: N/AFavorite Quote: "pobody's nerfect"Clinical Interest: Anxiety, body image, ADHD with AdultsVisit Us
1806 W Cuyler Ave, Suite 2N
Chicago, IL 60613
Hours
Monday–Sunday
9am–9pm
*By Appointment only
Phone
(312) 883-7720
Fax:
(872) 813-5254