Journey Well Therapy and Coaching

If you are an adult with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or ADHD and are ready to make healthy changes, we will work well together. We will identify potential causes of low mood, anxiety, restlessness, and dissatisfaction in your life. If you are struggling with executive (dys)function and are completely fed up with your brain, I'm here to help. Management of on-going stress, creating a work life balance that promotes well-being, organization of time and tasks, and communicating effectively in relationships are also ways that I can be of support to you. I specialize in working with adults who have identified that mental health concerns are preventing them from embodying their fullest selves. Treatment with me is collaborative in nature and utilizes skills training oriented toward bridging the gap between you and your most meaningful goals. I have the research-based, practical solutions you are seeking. *>[Quick note for those with ADHD: If you aren't going to read all of this page, yes I can help you improve your executive function and co-occurring mental disorders. Untreated ADHD is debilitating, but I can work with you to turn it into your secret weapon.]<* And for those who want to know more about me and can process blocks of text: Devin Dierks is licensed to practice independent, clinical social work in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Colorado. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor of science degree in Psychology and Master of Social Work degree with a clinical concentration. She has received extensive training in working with adult clients who are dealing with the aftermath of childhood trauma. Devin has also completed training in professional self-care and burnout, high-performance collaboration, leadership methods, the treatment of adult ADHD, organizational psychology, evolutionary psychology, teaching, and mental health coaching. Devin lives in Northwest Illinois and has worked with clients from Denver, to Iowa City, to Madison, to Chicago. She works with a limited number of individual clients who receive thoughtful guidance and access to the best practices in mental health. Devin teaches Introduction to Psychology, as she enjoys making concepts in mental health accessible to inquiring minds, and she is the sole provider of Journey Well's many services. She's an award-winning, yet easy to talk with professional committed to reducing burnout and improving whole-person health. Devin's goal for you is to become emotionally interdependent. In other words, through therapy, you will learn the skills you need in order to manage the up's and down's that come along with life. You'll also know when to reach out for help and receive support from those you trust. While there are things happening around us that we can't always control, we do have control over how we deal with those obstacles. Most of us, however, never learned healthy ways to get through. We survived in the ways that we figured out on our own: some effective, and some not-so-effective. Devin utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which is a way of working with you that focuses on building skills, particularly in mindfulness practice, and setting goals that actually mean something to you. Devin has training in and often integrates yoga, breathwork, and meditation into therapy sessions to familiarize you with these tools, as you'll then be empowered to utilize them at home. While there is some effort put into understanding how the past still impacts you today, Devin's focus is on living in right now, and closing the gap between who you are behaving like today, and who you want to be. In therapy, you'll have the benefit of speaking with someone who is trained to hear your concerns, experiences, and hopes, and provide you with guidance, free from judgement. This is different than talking with a friend because it's objective, as Devin won't know you in any other context, and because Devin is equipped to listen to the hard truths that you may not feel comfortable sharing with others. With friends and family, you can find meaningful support and a listening ear, and with therapy, you can find clarity and solutions. Both are helpful and needed in your journey to wellness.  ​You will not be pressured into taking psychotropic medications, such as anti-depressants or stimulants. If Devin thinks you would be an appropriate candidate for meditation, she will discuss it with you and how it might be helpful, though it will ultimately be your decision. If medication is something you'd like to integrate into your health plan, Devin is well-connected with the best medication providers in the Quad Cities area, and can also help you locate a provider where you live. Similarly, Devin will make recommendations for any nutrition, supplements, or body movement that she believes would be beneficial in your healing, but these will be options for you to choose or not.  There is no "one size fits all" mental health treatment. Similarly, there isn't any single intervention that will cure you of your symptoms. Journey Well takes an integrative, holistic approach to mental health and will encourage you to work towards healing of both body and mind.  If you aren't sure that you meet the criteria for a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or ADHD, that's okay. Devin can provide you with an accurate diagnosis based on empirically validated symptom measures and the detailed history that you will provide. Devin accepts private pay and clients with a BC/BS health plan. ​If your health insurance plan has Out-of-Network benefits that you would like to utilize, Devin can provide you with a special receipt called a Superbill. You may be able to submit a claim on your own, and in some cases, your plan may reimburse you for part of the session fee. You can check with your insurance to see if you have any Out-of-Network coverage, and if so, at what rate they will reimburse you for session fees. Those determinations are made solely by your insurance company. Sessions are held primarily on-line for a variety of reasons including health and safety, privacy, and convenience. Secure video chat services are utilized for your confidentiality and all of your information will be handled with exceptional care and discretion as required by law. Some in-person sessions can be held at Devin's office in Fulton, IL. Scheduling of in-person appointments is limited.   You may need to hear this in order to seek a therapeutic relationship: you are not failing just because you need help. In fact, with the right support, you can feel better in any area that you're willing to put effort into. Pain and stress are an inevitable part of being human, but we can reduce suffering and gain understanding. Please contact me for a free, 15-minute consultation during which you're welcome to ask any questions you may have. While I understand that therapy is a significant investment into your health, I hope that you will consider the value that feeling better could bring to your life. I'm looking forward to joining you on your Journey!