W'ere so happy you're here
At Embodied Healing Counseling & Yoga, we support women through the mental, emotional, and physical transitions that shape their lives. Our practice specializes in high-functioning anxiety, women’s mental health, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, identity shifts, and the mind–body connection.
We believe healing happens through compassionate connection, nervous system awareness, and tools that support you both in and out of session.
Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit.
Kristen Simons, LCPC, PMH-C, RYT
Founder, Therapist & Yoga Teacher
Meet Kristen
Hi, I’m Kristen, and I’m so glad you’re here. I know how overwhelming it can feel to find the right therapist, especially when you’re juggling stress, caregiving, work, relationships, or the invisible load of being “the one who holds everything together.”
For over a decade, I’ve supported women navigating anxiety, burnout, pregnancy and postpartum transitions, identity shifts, chronic stress, grief, and the ongoing work of reconnecting with their values and their bodies. My approach is warm, conversational, and practical, blending evidence-based therapy with somatic tools and nervous system regulation.
My goal is simple:
for you to leave each session feeling seen, grounded, and equipped with tools you can use in your daily life.
I don’t believe therapy has to be intimidating or heavy all the time — it can be meaningful, collaborative, and even enjoyable.
Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit.
Training & Experience
I am a:
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Certified Perinatal Mental Health Counselor (PMH-C)
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)
Certified Pregnancy & Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist
I’ve worked in:
Partial hospitalization (PHP) + Intensive outpatient (IOP) settings
Medical detox units
Community mental health and group practices
A perinatal depression hotline
Private practice
These experiences shape my integrative approach and allow me to support clients through complex emotional, physical, and identity-based transitions.
Therapeutic Yoga & Mind–Body Work
In addition to therapy, I offer therapeutic yoga and functional movement designed to help women reconnect with their bodies, ease tension, and regulate their nervous systems. My work is grounded in corrective exercise, perinatal movement principles, and accessible, real-life functional strength.
Learn more About Therapeutic Yoga
Outside of the Therapy Room
let's get started
When Kristen is not working, you can find her tending to her houseplants, trying new recipes, or hanging with her family who keeps her grounded, joyful, and humbled on a daily basis.
Meleokalani Ortiz, LPC
Psychotherapist | Somatic Experiencing | Women’s Mental Health
Meet Mele
Hi, I’m Mele — a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. I believe that the relationship between counselor and client is the foundation for meaningful change. My goal is to create a safe, supportive, and sometimes playful space where you can slow down, explore what you’re experiencing, and feel supported as we work toward your goals together.
My therapeutic approach is person-centered and strongly influenced by somatic therapy and neuroscience. Together we’ll become curious about how stress, emotions, and life experiences show up in the body, and explore ways to restore a sense of calm, safety, and balance. I see therapy as a collaborative process where we can explore thoughts, feelings, and patterns while developing tools that support a more grounded and sustainable way of living.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent many years working in theatre, film, and advertising, which gives me a deep appreciation for the pressures and unique challenges that can come with creative careers. I also spent time as a school counselor working closely with children ages 3–13, helping them develop emotional regulation, social skills, and tools to navigate challenges both at home and in the classroom.
When working with children, I often integrate play into sessions, as play is not only a source of fun but also a powerful pathway to healing and self-expression. I believe caregivers are an important part of the process and work collaboratively with families to support each child’s growth and wellbeing.
Training & Experience
Education & Professional Background
Master’s in School Counseling — Northeastern Illinois University
Bachelor’s in Interdepartmental Studies — Northwestern University
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Illinois
Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
Specialized Training
Mele has advanced training in:
Somatic Experiencing Student, expected completion 2026
Silver Linings Community Crisis Facilitator Certification
Rainbows For All Children Grief Program Certification
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification
Maggie Kline "Trauma Through a Child's Eyes"
Alé Duarté "Tracking Sensations with Children" & "Family In Tune for Parents"
This specialized background allows her to support individuals and families using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and somatic-informed treatment.
Outside of the Therapy Room
let's get started
Mele is a cis-gendered hetero woman, a married mom of two, a life-long Chicagoan, and a daughter of a European mother and an Asian father from Hawaii.
Arielle Polster, LCPC, LPCC
Psychotherapist | Eating Disorder Specialist | Women’s Mental Health
Meet Arielle
Hi, I’m Arielle — a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California. My work centers on helping clients heal, feel connected, and build a more compassionate relationship with themselves. I believe deeply in creating a warm, authentic space where people feel safe enough to explore, grow, and make meaningful changes in their lives.
My therapeutic approach is holistic and relational. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of the individual or family I’m supporting. Clients can expect a balance of evidence-based tools, emotional exploration, and a grounded, collaborative relationship.
I have extensive experience treating eating disorders across levels of care, including outpatient, intensive outpatient (IOP), and residential settings. I support adults, adolescents, and families as they navigate the complexities of food, body image, identity, and relational patterns. My clinical interests also include anxiety, perinatal mental health, and challenges related to women’s health and life transitions.
My goal is always to help clients feel seen, supported, and empowered — and to remind them that healing is possible, even when it feels out of reach.
Training & Experience
Education & Professional Background
Master’s in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling — DePaul University
Bachelor’s in Sociology — University of San Diego
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Illinois
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), California
Specialized Training
Arielle has advanced training in:
Family-Based Treatment (FBT) for eating disorders
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy–Enhanced (CBT-E)
CBT for ARFID
Motivational Interviewing, Center for Body Trust
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, Mental Health Foundations
Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care, Postpartum Support International (scheduled for 2025)
This specialized background allows her to support individuals and families using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and relationally grounded treatment
Outside of the Therapy Room
let's get started
Arielle loves spending time with her family, collecting cookbooks, knitting, and getting out into nature. She finds joy in community and believes deeply in the healing power of connection — something she brings into her work with every client.
Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit. Cultivating healing and hope through mind, body, and spirit.
Our Approach & Values
At Embodied Healing, we believe healing is not one-size-fits-all. We value:
→ Compassion — creating a warm, validating space
→ Mind–Body Awareness — supporting emotional and physical wellbeing
→ Collaboration — working with you, not at you
→ Accessibility — practical tools for real life
→ Growth — gentle challenge with deep support
counseling services
therapuetic yoga
Ready to Get Started?
We'd love to support you.
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