About Paige

My Path to Becoming a Psychotherapist

Life is a journey. We stray, we meander, seemingly without direction. Yet, we are often headed to where we are meant to be. That is true for me.

As Maya Angelo said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story.” I struggled silently with social anxiety as a child and it went completely unnoticed by my family. My parents divorced when I was 8. My mother and stepfather moved our family several times until we landed in Chicago where again we changed locations several times. By the time I finished high school, I had changed schools 6 times. I never gave my parents reason to worry and my anxiety remained unknown. I hid my feelings well.

I was a model student and graduated from a notable university with a BA in business finance. At the age of 22, I lived in Chicago and held a high stress job. One night I ended up in the ER, certain I was having a heart attack. I learned later that the episode was a panic attack.

Soon, I married and had two children. They were growing up, and I began looking at a change of careers. I was drawn to understanding anxiety and helping others with the same condition. I began a university program in psychology. I have now practiced psychotherapy for 20 years. My practice is filled with success stories, but I never cease to learn and explore new research. I have treated hundreds of people with anxiety disorders, panic, agoraphobia, health anxiety and OCD.

I can now trace that winding path that has led me to do what gives my life purpose. I am ready to help you on your journey as well. All you must do is be willing to do the work. I will guide you and support you along the way.

Thank you for trusting me.

Love, Paige