Therapy for Eating Disorders, Anxiety & Life Transitions
Olivia Palumbo offers LGBTQ+ affirming therapy in Chicago to support adults and couples navigating life transitions, identity exploration, disordered eating, and anxiety. She approaches therapy with deep compassion, working collaboratively to help clients build insight and take meaningful action toward lasting change.
Whether you’re managing overwhelming emotions, struggling with food and body image, or navigating personal growth, Olivia provides a calm, grounded presence to support your journey. Her goal is to walk beside you with empathy, curiosity, and respect.
An Inclusive, LGBTQIA+-Affirming Space
As a queer-affirming therapist-in-training, Olivia creates a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals and couples across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. She understands the importance of being seen and respected for who you are, and offers therapy that honors each person’s identity, lived experience, and chosen family structure.
If you’re seeking mental health support in Chicago that affirms your gender, sexuality, and cultural identity, Olivia’s space is built for you. She also supports clients exploring gender identity, coming out experiences, and navigating the impact of systemic oppression on mental health.
My Approach: Body-Based, Trauma-Informed Care
Olivia integrates a body-based, trauma-informed therapy approach with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She is also Internal Family Systems (IFS)-informed, using parts work to help clients reconnect with their internal sense of safety, compassion, and clarity.
For couples, she incorporates Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 1, providing evidence-based tools to deepen connection, manage conflict, and build emotional trust.
Her work balances practical tools (like CBT strategies) with deep emotional exploration and somatic awareness, allowing clients to regulate, reflect, and grow holistically.
Training & Clinical Experience
Olivia has experience working in inpatient psychiatric care, where she supported individuals recovering from eating disorders, trauma, depression, and mood disorders. Her clinical experience also includes working in an outpatient ketamine clinic, where she worked with clients experiencing major depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive patterns, and trauma-related symptoms.
She has been trained in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and relational therapy, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Central Michigan University. She is committed to ongoing professional development and ethical, inclusive care.
Nature-Informed Therapy, When Helpful
When appropriate, Olivia incorporates nature-informed techniques to support nervous system regulation and grounding. These simple, accessible practices invite clients to reconnect with their bodies, breath, and the natural world as sources of resilience and healing.
For some clients, connecting with nature becomes a metaphor for growth — honoring cycles of rest, change, and renewal in their healing process.
Begin Your Healing Journey
If you’re looking for trauma-informed therapy in Chicago, or hoping to explore your identity, strengthen your relationships, or recover from disordered eating, Olivia provides a collaborative, compassionate space to do the work.
She offers in-person therapy in downtown Chicago and virtual sessions for clients across Illinois. Her approach is grounded in authenticity and a deep belief in your ability to heal and thrive.
