Ellie Christeson
Ellie Christeson
Philosophy of Care
Ellie is dedicated to helping children, teens, adults, and families develop the skills they need to overcome anxiety and other emotional challenges. She works collaboratively with clients to identify unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior that may be keeping them stuck and preventing them from living the life they want.
Ellie understands that fear, stress, difficult experiences, and trauma can sometimes lead people to rely on avoidance, excessive reassurance-seeking, or compulsive behaviors that provide temporary relief but ultimately maintain anxiety. Through therapy, she helps clients build confidence in their ability to face challenges and develop healthier ways of responding to difficult emotions.
Drawing from evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and exposure-based treatment, Ellie tailors therapy to each client’s unique needs and goals. Her warmth, humor, and playful style help children and families feel comfortable while learning new skills. She is committed to providing care that is both trauma-informed and culturally responsive.
Special Interests
Ellie particularly enjoys working with children, adolescents, and their families. Her clinical interests include OCD, anxiety disorders, specific phobias, life transitions, and trauma-related concerns. She enjoys helping young people learn practical skills to manage anxiety, face fears, and build confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Experience and Training
Ellie is a graduate student in the Master’s Program in Counseling at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Prior to joining the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago, Ellie served as a peer counselor for survivors of sexual assault at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she provided support, advocacy, and resources to students navigating difficult experiences.
Ellie enjoys helping young people and families learn practical skills that reduce anxiety, increase confidence, and help them engage more fully in school, relationships, and everyday life.
Specialized Training and Support
As a member of the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago team, Ellie receives specialized training and ongoing supervision in evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders, OCD, phobias, trauma-related concerns, and related conditions. She is trained in exposure-based therapies and other research-supported approaches that help clients overcome fear, break free from avoidance, and build confidence in their ability to manage life’s challenges.
Ellie is part of a team that specializes in helping clients who have not improved with previous therapy or who require more intensive, individualized treatment. Through ongoing consultation and mentorship, she continues to develop advanced skills in helping children, teens, adults, and families achieve meaningful and lasting change.
A Little More about Ellie
When she is not working, Ellie enjoys exploring Chicago’s live music and restaurant scene, reading fiction, snowboarding during the winter months, and spending time by the lake in the summer.
Session Fees
The initial intake assessment with Ellie Christeson is $150.00, and 60-minute sessions are $90.00. You will receive a written Good Faith Estimate before your first appointment.