Orli Firestein, LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker
I am a licensed clinical social worker providing neurodiversity-affirming online therapy to adults in Illinois. I offer a limited number of in-person sessions in my Andersonville, Chicago office based on client schedule and needs. Therapy has been instrumental in my own mental health and neurodivergence journey and I understand the vulnerability and bravery it takes to engage in psychotherapy. Ideally, therapy is a dynamic partnership. Together, we can begin to identify ways to make life more manageable while remaining authentic to your values and needs. I look forward to joining you on your path towards healing and self-discovery!
Treatment Approach
I use a variety of approaches to address my clients unique needs, including compassion-focused therapy, mindfulness, dialectical behavior therapy, internal family systems, and neurodiversity affirming psychoeducational materials. Above all else, I prioritize creating a safe space where open and vulnerable self-reflection and healing can occur.
I partner with clients as an ally and collaborator, viewing therapy as an opportunity to gain better self-understanding and acceptance while dismantling oppressive and hurtful beliefs projected onto clients by themselves or others. Frequently explored themes in sessions include autistic burnout, managing executive functioning challenges, dealing with stress, low self-esteem, and combating compassion fatigue. Over time, clients will begin to identify and communicate their inner experiences as well as what they need from others and themselves in order to feel fulfilled and supported.
“I believe that a different therapy must be constructed for each patient because each has a unique story”-Irvin D. Yalom
Education & Credentials:
- License #: 149.019783
- License State: Illinois
- Practicing Since: 2015
- Education: I obtained my masters of social work at the University of Chicago with a specialization in school social work (and have a professional educator license that I utilized when I worked in schools for 5 years as a social worker).
