Licensed Professional Counselor
Nikoleta Giannakopoulos
LPC, NCC, MA
Therapy for Individuals & Partners ages 18+
I aim to create a therapy experience that feels warm, safe, and uniquely tailored to you - like wrapping yourself in your favorite cozy sweater. Therapy with me is collaborative, grounded, and focused on real connection, starting wherever you are without needing to have everything figured out.
My approach is relational and holistic, blending evidence-based practices with curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for your pace. Together, we’ll explore what feels heavy or confusing: anxiety, relationship patterns that keep repeating, the weight of responsibility, grief, burnout, or that quiet sense of disconnection that’s hard to put into words. Our work might bring insight, relief, clarity, or simply a moment of softness — all of it matters. I draw from mindfulness, somatic awareness, attachment theory, and narrative exploration, shaping each session around what feels most supportive for you. I reflect what I notice, ask gentle and thoughtful questions, and offer grounding when things feel uncertain. And when it fits, I bring in humor, because sometimes a little lightness helps us carry what’s hard.
I show up with respect for every part of you — the tired parts, the tender parts, the unsure parts, and the hopeful ones. Healing doesn’t have to be rushed or done perfectly. It can be gentle, steady, messy, and still meaningful. My hope is to offer a space where you feel seen, supported, and encouraged to move in the way that feels right for you. Together, we’ll honor your story and the path you’re on, creating room for you to feel more connected, grounded, and a bit more like yourself again.
A little about me:
I’m a first-generation Greek American who loves gardening, exploring small towns, and finding treasures while thrifting. I enjoy crafting, baking, and getting lost in a good fictional book. Anything that feels cozy, creative, or allows me to slow down and enjoy the little things.
Education:
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, 2023
What are your top specialties?
I’m most passionate about working with adults who are navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, or just trying to figure out how they want to live their lives. I especially connect with clients who want to explore their thoughts and emotions, slow down, and make intentional choices that feel true to them.
What would you say to someone considering therapy with you?
I want you to know this is a space where you can truly be yourself. You can set down whatever you’ve been carrying and take a moment to breathe. Together, we’ll explore your thoughts and feelings at your pace, making room for clarity, understanding, and a way of living that feels authentic and meaningful to you.
What insurance do you accept?
BCBS PPO, Aetna, Anthem, and Cigna/Evernorth.
What does a typical session with you look like?
I like sessions to feel like slipping on your favorite cozy sweater, warm, comforting, and familiar. We have goals and intentions to guide our work, but I always start by checking in and hearing how you have been since we last talked. I invite clients to imagine setting down the bag they have been carrying, everything big and small, so we can look at it together and focus on what matters most in the moment. My goal is to create a warm, authentic space where you feel seen, supported, and able to move forward in a way that reflects your values and priorities.
Who is your ideal client?
What lights me up in a session are those small, honest moments when a client starts to relax, lets out a laugh, or when we both notice a subtle shift has happened. It’s in those moments of real connection that the work feels alive and meaningful. My ideal client is someone who wants a space that feels cozy, authentic, and supportive. A place where they can really be themselves and explore what matters most to them.
How do clients describe you?
Warm, supportive, and compassionate.
Nikoleta’s Approach
I approach therapy in a warm, relaxed, and collaborative way. I like sessions to feel like a safe, welcoming space where you can slow down, set down the bag you’ve been carrying, and really explore your thoughts and emotions. We use practical tools alongside reflection and curiosity to help you make sense of what’s going on and figure out what matters most to you. My goal is to meet you where you are and support you in living in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.
I use a mix of approaches depending on what feels most helpful for each client. I often draw from mindfulness, which helps you stay present and aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. I also use strategies from cognitive-behavioral therapy, which can help you notice patterns in your thinking and learn new ways to respond to challenges. I incorporate somatic approaches too, which pay attention to the connection between your body and emotions, helping you release tension or feel more grounded. My goal is always to meet you where you are and use the tools that feel right for you in the moment.
Click here for more detailed information on therapeutic modalities.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that can help manage mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and emotional concerns, such as coping with grief or stress.
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy, drawing primarily from attachment theory to facilitate the creation of secure, vibrant connection with self and others.
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Narrative therapy is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals understand and change their life stories.
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Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) addresses the mental health needs of people suffering from the destructive effects of early trauma.
Top Specialties:
Anxiety
Depression
Grief
Areas of Expertise:
Body Image
Body Positivity
Childhood Trauma
Codependency
Coping Skills
Couples Therapy
HAES
LGBTQ+ Identity
Life Transitions
Marital and Premarital Therapy
Neurodivergence
Peer Relationships
Relationship Issues
Religious Trauma
Self Esteem
Spirituality
Stress
Trauma and PTSD
Women's Issues
Interested in working together? Fill out the form below, call (630) 940-6828 or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We also offer a 15-minute free phone consultation.
Questions about insurance?
Give us a call or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We can often work with insurance companies if we are out-of-network. If we are an out-of-network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135.00 for a 53 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help! We work with families to come up with a number that works for you.