Tova Gottlieb, LCSW

Specialties and Focus Areas

  • Type 1 Diabetes/Diabetes distress ( Kids 5+- adult) - Tova is certified by the American Diabetes Association

  • Chronic Illness - autoimmune diseases, POTS, MCAS ( Mast Cell Activation Syndrome), Arthritis, Lupus, Crohn’s Disease, EDS, Endometriosis, transplant  clients

  • Chronic Pain

  • Medical Trauma 

  • ADHD 

  • Life Transitions

Insurance and Payment 

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

  • Aetna

  • United Healthcare/Optum Behavioral Health

  • Self-pay options available

Tova is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has extensive experience working with individuals, adults, adolescents, and families. Tova specializes in treating mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, life transitions, and living with chronic illnesses. 

Tova works to empower and help her clients understand the impact having a chronic illness has on their mental health. She specializes in working with individuals (adolescents ages 10+, young adults, adults) to better manage the daily stressors that come with living with a chronic illness. Tova has extensive knowledge and training in working with individuals with autoimmune disorders (Type 1 Diabetes, Celiac Disease, and Lupus); chronic pain, and other chronic illnesses (Kidney Disease, transplants, Type 2 Diabetes, etc).

As an individual living with a chronic illness for over 25 years, Tova is passionate about and deeply values the opportunity to support individuals dealing with emotions relating to chronic illness in order to empower them to cope with the daily stress and anxieties of accepting and coping with life changes. Tova utilizes a collaborative and relational approach to therapy to help individuals express and empower themselves to regain control over their life.

Approach

  • Relational and collaborative- the therapeutic relationship is vital to the healing process. Tova uses a relational approach to help build trust and a safe environment.

  • Humanistic approach- Tova is a big fan of being human and tries to empower her clients to embrace all the messy yet beautiful emotions & experiences that come with being human

  • Tova believes therapy looks different for every client and her goal is to tailor it to each individual. Many neurodivergent clients like to be coloring or doing a craft while talking with Tova and Tova fosters this process for each client.

Education and Experience

Tova received her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University. She received her Master’s of Social Work from University of Illinois at Chicago. Tova has previous experience as a Medical Social Worker working with adults, adolescents , and their families to understand and cope with the daily frustrations of having a chronic illness.

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