Brigid Dagenfield, LCPC
Hello! My name is Brigid (she/her) and I help empower individuals who are struggling with disruption in their life to identify and overcome challenges and to achieve their therapeutic goals.
I partner with adults and young adults to manage a wide range of challenges, often related to substance abuse, trauma, mood disorders, relationship issues, work stress, and life transitions. Clients enjoy working with me because I am an advocate for them and a source of stability, education and encouragement.
How I Help
Working with me will feel like a team effort in finding the right tools that work best for you. I believe in a holistic, integrative approach to therapy that works with your life. At times we’ll utilize skills and techniques drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, other times we’ll use Motivational Interviewing or work from a strengths-based approach, or we may use EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing) to reprocess a traumatic experience. I am trauma-informed in my approach to therapy, interweaving the values of choice, empowerment, collaboration, safety, and trustworthiness into each and every one of our sessions.
What it’s like in session with me
Therapy works best when we collaborate. For this reason, in our initial sessions we’ll discuss your reasons for seeking support, and together, we’ll create a plan or framework from which to work. This is essential to meeting you where you’re at, building rapport and creating an environment that is safe and nurturing.
I understand that therapy can sometimes feel intimidating. I believe as we work together, you’ll feel a deeper understanding of your own emotions and experiences. You’ll become stronger at mindfully observing your thoughts and feelings. And if you choose to, we’ll work towards accomplishing the changes you seek to make. Often, understanding the “why” of how we approach your care is part of the therapeutic process. At times I’ll serve as a facilitator or guide, and in other instances, I understand the importance of holding space for you to process where you are.
More About Me
If you’re walking by me with your dog, you better believe I’m going to ask to pet it! I love animals, and value my time spent with my own dog as well as riding horses in my free time. Staying active is a primary form of self-care for me and if I’m not on the move, I’m at home curled up with a book, sharing a delicious meal with family or friends or attending a live concert or the latest art exhibition at one of Chicago’s amazing museums.
Education and Special Training
Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Minor, Women & Gender Studies from Loyola University Chicago 2010
Master of Arts, Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine from Boston University School of Medicine 2014
- EMDRIA-approved EMDR training January and March 2019
- Advanced Clinical Training Program through Chicago Center for Integration and Healing focused on working with individuals who have experienced trauma through a relational, neurobiological and body-centered lens beginning October 2020 through June 2022