Desi Avitia, LCSW, CDVP, CCTP
Treats ages: 5-65+

Desi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for helping individuals navigate life’s challenges through holistic, evidence-based care. She earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Aurora University and holds certifications as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and a Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP). These credentials strengthen her ability to support individuals impacted by trauma, abuse, and crisis.
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Her professional background includes years of direct crisis intervention, community-based mental health care, and interdisciplinary collaboration with law enforcement. She has worked extensively with survivors of trauma and crime, first responders, and individuals navigating crises, mental health challenges (including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation), substance use, grief, and major life transitions.
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Desi takes an integrative, collaborative approach to care, drawing from CBT, DBT, ACT, Motivational Interviewing, and strengths-based as well as psychodynamic practices. She thoughtfully adapts each session to meet the unique needs of the individual, with a focus on building insight and practical skills for greater self-awareness. Desi strives to create a welcoming, inclusive space where clients feel heard and empowered to grow at their own pace. She values the genuine, trusting connections she forms with clients and appreciates the resilience they demonstrate.
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As a Latinx clinician, Desi is especially passionate about guiding clients in breaking generational cycles with empathy and culturally attuned care. No matter the length of the journey, she offers compassionate and respectful support every step of the way, blending warmth, honesty, and even a little humor—because sometimes laughter helps lighten the load.
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Outside of work, Desi can often be found walking local trails—mostly trying not to get lost—and intentionally getting lost in books, because who doesn’t need a little magic in life? She also enjoys spending quality time with her family and fur babies, who help keep her grounded and on her toes. Desi remains deeply dedicated to community advocacy and mental health awareness, firmly believing that we all do better when we look out for one another.
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Desi is also fluent in Spanish and is able to offer therapy in both English and Spanish, providing culturally sensitive support to meet the needs of a diverse client base.
Desi's Areas of Expertise:
Abandonment Issues, Addiction/Substance Abuse, Adjustment Disorder, Adjustment To Medical Issues, Adolescent/Teen Issues, Agoraphobia, Anger Management, Anorexia, Anxiety, Asperger's Syndrome, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, BIPOC Mental Health Issues, Behavioral Modification, Bereavement, Binge Eating, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, Bullying, Caregiver Fatigue, Chemical Dependency Assessment, Childhood Abuse/Neglect, Codependency, Complex Trauma, Confidence Issues, Confused Memory, Co-parenting Issues, Couples Conflict Resolution, Couples Therapy, Cultural Diversity Issues, Depression, Development Disorders, Disruptive, Impulse-Control and conduct disorders, Dissociative Disorder, Divorce Counseling, Domestic Violence, Dual Diagnosis, Eating Disorders, Emerging/Young Adult Issues, Emotional Abuse, Emotional Overeating, Family Therapy/Marriage Therapy, Financial Stress, First Responder Support, Fertility Issues, Gambling Addiction, Gender Affirming Counseling, Geriatric Counseling, Hoarding, Infertility Trauma, Irrational Fears/Phobias, Kleptomania, Learning Problems, LGBTQIA+, Life Coaching, Life Transitions, Loneliness, Low Self Esteem, Marriage Conflict Resolution, Men's Issues, Mental Health Problems, Mental Illness, Mid-Life Transitions, Mood Disorder, Mood Swings, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Attacks, Parent-Child Relationship Issues, Parenting Skills, Perfectionisms, Perinatal Loss, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Pre & Postpartum Issues, Pre-College Fears, Pre-Move in Couples Counseling, Premarital Counseling, Prenuptial Counseling, Psychotic Features, Racism Issues, Relationship Struggles, Schizophrenia, School Phobia, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Care Issues, Self Esteem Issues, Self-Harm/Injury, Separation Anxiety, Sexual Abuse Counseling, Sexual Assault Counseling, Sibling Relationship Issues, Sleep Issues, Social Anxiety, Social Skills Training, Sports/Performance Counseling, Stress, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Loss, Video Game addiction, Weight Loss Therapy, Women's Issues, Work-Related Counseling, Worry
Desi's Treatment Approaches:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Art Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eclectic Approach, Existential Therapy, Grief Counseling, Holistic Counseling, Humanistic Therapy, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person Centered, Play Therapy, Psychodynamic, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Strength Based Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Strategic Family Therapy
Insurances that Desi accepts:
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Aetna PPO
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Anthem BCBS PPO
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Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
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Blue Choice
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Optum Health
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Oscar Health
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Oxford
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Self Pay
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United Healthcare/UBH
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United Healthcare Choice +
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United Healthcare Student Resources
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United Medical Resources (UMR)
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Web TPA
Desi's Contact information
Mind Lodge PLAINFIELD
24014 W Renwick Rd,
Unit 3
Plainfield, IL 60544
815-200-4744 call or text