Stop Feeling “Too Much” in Relationships — And Start Feeling Safe Being Fully You

‍ ‍You love deeply.

You care about keeping the peace.

And somewhere along the way, you learned that your needs were too much.

Maybe you:

Feel responsible for other people’s emotions

Replay conversations for hours afterward

Panic when someone pulls away — even slightly

Avoid conflict at all costs

Or shut down completely when things feel overwhelming

You want connection.

You want joy.

You just don’t want it to cost you part of yourself

You’re in the right place.

Hi, I’m Robin

I help women heal relational and attachment wounds so connection can finally feel safe again.

The women I work with are insightful, caring, and capable. They don’t lack self-awareness — they often have too much of it. They’ve read the books. They’ve tried the communication tools. They understand their patterns.

But when it comes to real-life relationships, their nervous system still goes into alarm.

Because attachment wounds don’t live in your thoughts alone.

They live in your body.

And healing them requires more than insight.

Why This Work May Feel Different

Many women come to me after trying traditional, skills-based therapy. While coping strategies and communication tools are helpful, they don’t always reach the deeper fear of abandonment, conflict, or emotional overwhelm driving the pattern.

In our work:

We move at the pace of safety.

We work with your nervous system — not against it.

We notice what happens between us in real time.

You won’t be reduced to a diagnosis or label.

Attachment wounds are relational.

Healing them is relational too.

Together, we’ll begin to understand your patterns as intelligent adaptations — strategies that once protected you. Then we’ll gently build new ones that support the life and relationships you want now.

My Approach

My work is attachment-based, somatic (body-centered), and relational.

With over four years of experience in post-adoption work, I’ve supported children and families navigating attachment disruptions, belonging wounds, and early relational trauma. That experience deeply shaped how I understand anxiety and disconnection.

I’ve seen firsthand that:

Anxiety is protective.

Disconnection once made sense.

And safety must be felt — not just understood.

In therapy, we may include:

Nervous system regulation and grounding practices

Gentle trauma narrative work

Creative and expressive approaches such as online sandtray

An emphasis on the therapy relationship as a space for repair

Healing attachment trauma isn’t about fixing you.

It’s about helping your body and mind learn that connection can feel safe.

For clients who are interested, I can also integrate Reiki as a complementary practice to support nervous system regulation and deepen self-connection. This is always optional and guided by your comfort.

My Values as a Therapist

Honesty

Kind. Direct. Grounded in care.

I won’t just sit silently or tell you what you want to hear. I’ll gently reflect patterns that may be hard to see — always with compassion, never with shame.

Humor

Healing doesn’t have to be heavy all the time.

We can make room for lightness when it feels natural and safe. Laughter can be part of growth too.

Humility

You are the expert on your life.

I bring training and experience. You bring your lived reality. We work collaboratively — with curiosity and respect.

If You’re Ready

If you’re tired of feeling responsible for everyone else’s emotions…

If connection feels both deeply desired and quietly frightening…

If you want relationships that feel steady instead of activating…

I invite you to schedule a consultation.

We’ll talk about what’s been feeling heavy, what you’re hoping for, and whether this feels like a good fit.

You don’t have to keep doing this alone.

Education and Training

    Licensure and Certifications

    Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker– LCSW 149.021179

    Theraplay Level I certification

    Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide For Education and Therapy—TARGET (past certification)

    Relevant  Trainings

Attachment, Regulation and Competency (ARC)

Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)

Foundations of Somatic Therapy For Trauma

Treating Rejection Sensitive Clients

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Sandtray training through the Southern Sandtray Institute

Working With Neurodiverse Women

Education:

Master’s of Social Work (MSW)--Aurora University, Aurora. 

Bachelor’s of Arts Psychology/Religion--Greenville University, Greenville

Robin is a compassionate therapist who has a wealth of knowledge and experience. As her colleague, I have seen the significant role she’s played in her clients’ transformation and her dedication to her work. Robin is a skilled therapist who I can confidently recommend.

Katie Cekal LCSW