Kim Cho, MS

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Naperville, Downers Grove, Teletherapy

With a deep commitment to helping individuals reclaim their lives, I specialize in working with clients facing the complex challenges of mental health and dual diagnosis disorders – where mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder co-occur with substance use or behavioral addictions.

My practice focuses on treating chemical dependency and substance addiction, as well as process addictions including sex addiction, compulsive gambling, pornography use, phone use, video game use, and internet addiction. I take a trauma-informed and integrative approach, blending evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, and others to address the root causes of addictive patterns. It’s important to remember that those suffering from addiction are taking what they’ve learned to fill a void that could only be filled at one time by a substance or addictive behavior. While individual experiences may vary, it remains consistent that trauma and addiction often coincide with one another, and it’s essential to treat mental health and trauma symptoms while treating the addiction concurrently in order to minimize chances for relapse and provide the individual with the best chance at recovery.

Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all method, and my goal is to meet you where you are in your journey while challenging your cognitive distortions and negative self-talk in a direct yet supportive way. If you have a little bit of honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness to grow and be uncomfortable, anything is possible. I work collaboratively with clients to not only manage symptoms but to foster long-term healing, emotional regulation, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you are at the beginning of your recovery journey or seeking support for relapse prevention, I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore, heal, and grow.

My approach is compassionate, structured, and tailored to meet each client’s unique needs. I am supportive of harm-reduction methods and integrate those methods into my practice. Recovery is not just about abstinence but about creating a life worth living. Asking for help can be challenging, and I’m here to help you realize that taking this step makes you stronger than you truly know. My goal is to ensure you feel supported and challenged while knowing you do not have to navigate the journey of growth and healing alone.

Areas of Specialization:

Populations Served: Adults, adolescents aged 15-18, couples, and families

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers