Inspired by Nature,
Designed for Healing
A compassionate and modern approach to counseling
Our Services
Compassionate Care
for Your Well-Being
Couples Counseling
Children, Teens & Families
Individual Counseling
Hello, we’re Nina + Kristen!
Nina, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Kristen, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, are the proud co-owners of Willow Counseling. Driven by the belief that recovery and healing are achievable through connection, we opened Willow Counseling to support individuals on their unique growth journeys. Our mission is to provide personalized care that meets each person where they are and helps them find the path that best suits their healing process.
"The willow tree is strong enough to bend. Never be afraid of allowing yourself to be vulnerable, because when you do, you’re at your strongest." — Unknown
Our Space
In Person + Online Care
that Meets You
Meet the Willow Team
Nina O’Brien, LCSW
(she/her/hers)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois. I have over 15 years of experience working in a variety of settings including residential treatment, outpatient counseling, and program administration. I have also been blessed with the opportunity to provide counseling services to Veterans of all ages struggling with readjustment issues, depression, moral injury, and recovery from combat trauma and sexual assault. I obtained my Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
I employ a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach to the counseling process. I am adept at guiding people down mindful and holistic paths to self-care and healing from traumatic experiences. I am a certified yoga teacher, and use Trauma-Sensitive Yoga and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing as treatment modalities.
I have experience working with couples and military families. I enjoy helping couples connect in deeper ways through improving communication, strengthening bonding, and learning to constructively navigate conflicts. I often utilize the Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills (PAIRS) curriculum for relationship enhancement, and am a trainer for the Warrior to Soul Mate program, a version of PAIRS adapted for military service members.
I am dedicated to Willow Counseling’s core belief that recovery from suffering is possible through connection. I am excited to create a collaborative therapeutic relationship with each person, one in which you can experience support, grounding and personal growth at any age.
Kristen Hammel, LCPC
(she/her/hers)
I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois and have over ten years of experience in the mental health field. I have worked in a variety of settings including outpatient counseling services, crisis screenings, residential treatment, and administration. I am a member of the American Counseling Association, Illinois Counseling Association, and am a recognized National Certified Counselor by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
I have extensive experience working with adolescents who have experienced trauma in their life. I provide individual and group therapy to both adolescents and adults. I utilize a person-centered approach to create a supportive and safe environment to build a therapeutic and authentic connection with each person. I have an eclectic approach in regards to the treatment modalities I apply in sessions as each person is unique and I adapt to their individual needs. I am adept at using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when working with adolescents, adults, and families.
I am dedicated to Willow Counseling’s core belief that healing is possible through connection. Willow Counseling provides a supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship where you can experience connection, grounding, and growth. I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to work with people and provide them with the ability to develop connected relationships. These relationships promote healing and personal growth at any age.
"The strength of a tree lies not in its branches, but in its roots. Yet the willow teaches us that there is strength in flexibility, and that sometimes the key to withstanding a storm is to sway with the wind." — Unknown
Curious about counseling?
What to Expect and How to Prepare
Download our Free Guide:
Your First Counseling Session
Lessons from a Willow Tree
As the wind howls and storms rage, the willow tree bends but does not break. It understands it cannot control the tempests it faces; instead of resisting, it sways gracefully, allowing its branches to endure. When the storm passes, the willow stands resilient, its roots deeply anchored, secure, and connected to the earth.
In the same way, life’s challenges shape and stretch us. The journey of self-discovery can be daunting, exhilarating, and profoundly transformative. At Willow Counseling, we are dedicated to guiding you through your unique healing process, empowering you to live a more intentional and fulfilling life. Our therapists provide compassionate, tailored support, meeting you where you are and honoring the path that’s uniquely yours.