meet Yvette Estrada

yvette’s credentials and philosophy

licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) - Clinical License 149.022882 - Pronouns (she/her/hers) - English & Spanish

Starting therapy is a brave step—and it’s one I deeply respect. I work with adults who are carrying anxiety, grief, trauma, or stress they can’t quite name. Together, we create space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface and build a path forward that honors your lived experience.

With a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding mental health, I offer a safe, down-to-earth space where you can feel seen and supported without judgment. My style is warm, thoughtful, and gently direct. Therapy with me is collaborative and personalized—I’ll meet you where you are and help you move toward where you want to be, at a pace that feels right for you. I am passionate about helping adults navigate through life's challenges with empathy and understanding.

I tailor each session to your unique needs and goals, drawing from evidence-based approaches to help you build insight, resilience, and lasting change. Clients often tell me they appreciate my calming presence, my ability to hold space without pressure, and how I help them gain insight while feeling grounded and safe. I work especially well with individuals who feel emotionally stuck but still have a quiet hope that something better is possible.

As a Latina therapist and someone who has personally faced the heartbreak of infertility and pregnancy loss, I know how isolating certain life experiences can feel. I bring that lived understanding into the therapy room, offering a deeper level of empathy and connection—especially for those carrying silent grief or unresolved pain.

I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, and major life transitions. I also support clients navigating self-worth challenges, identity development, relationship issues, and emotional overwhelm.

You’re not broken. You’re human. And you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Some of my intersecting identities are:

I am a Latinx, a first-generation Mexican American, and a Chicago native - I am a wife and a dog mom - I am a pregnancy loss survivor - fertility warrior - I am an advocate and ally to the LGBTQ community

specialization

yvette’s areas of focus:

Depression - Anxiety - Fertility journey - Grief and loss - Trauma - Self-esteem recovery - FIRST GENERATION individuals - life transitions - stress management - toxic relationships

yvette’s approach:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy - Motivational interviewing - Strength-based - Relational

education

Loyola University

Master of Social Work - Mental Health Specialization

contact

yvette@balancepsychotherapy.com