Pinnacle Counseling

Back to School, Back to You
The start of a new school year is the perfect time to reset; not just your backpack and schedule, but also your mind and routines.

🌿 Care for yourself
⏰ Set your rhythm
💙 Stay connected

This season, remember that prioritizing your well-being helps you show up as your best self in the classroom, with friends, and for you.

Wishing you a school year filled with balance, growth, and grace. You’ve got this!

Therapist Spotlight: Meet Damian Flores, ALMFT!
Damian creates a space where clients feel safe, seen, and supported. With a focus on relationships, identity transitions, and emotional growth, he meets you right where you are—and yes, he’ll have a Monster in hand while doing it!!
Whether you’re navigating intimacy, cultural identity, or family dynamics, Damian is here to help you explore it all with warmth and care.

Let’s talk about s*x therapy.
It’s not about being broken, it’s about being brave and prioritizing your wellness At Pinnacle, we create a space where you can explore intimacy, desire, pain, or disconnection without shame. Whether you’re coming alone or with a partner, s*x therapy helps you understand your story, unpack what’s getting in the way, and build healthier connection.
💬 Questions about whether it’s right for you? We’re here.
📍In-person & telehealth available.

Therapist Spotlight: Meet Maria Fernanda Chumacero Flores, LPC Candidate
Maria is passionate about holding space for your story. Whether you’re navigating life transitions, working through trauma, or struggling with immigrant anxiety, Maria offers warmth, understanding, and a deep respect for your unique journey.

“I’ve always been fascinated by how two people can grow up in the same home and turn out completely different. I love the uniqueness in everyone’s story.”

Maria is bilingual in Spanish and supports clients in areas like self-esteem, mood disorders, and building strong therapeutic connections. She also reminds us that therapy is not one-size-fits-all—and it’s okay to explore until you find the right fit.

Outside of therapy, she finds self-care in community, movement, good food, and reflection.

Let’s give Maria a warm welcome! 🤍

Mental health is health no matter what.
But for many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, care is often out of reach or not built with their realities in mind. At Pinnacle, we believe that culturally informed, identity-honoring therapy isn’t optional rather it’s essential.

This National Minority Mental Health Month, we’re reminding our community that everyone deserves a space to be seen, heard, and supported without needing to explain or minimize who they are.

You matter. Your story matters. And we’re here to walk with you.

Therapist Spotlight: Meet Jamelle Apolinar, Clinical Intern 
Jamelle made the shift from graduate admissions to therapy after realizing how much she valued one-on-one connection. Now, she creates space for clients to tell their stories and do the real (and sometimes hard!) work of growth.
She wants you to know that therapy isn’t like the movies; it takes effort, honesty, and partnership, but the payoff is real healing.
Also, her emotional beverage of choice? A pistachio Nespresso shot mixed with strawberry Core Power.
Jamelle works with life transitions, intergenerational trauma, self-esteem, and athletes.

We’re so lucky to have her on our team

So many people avoid therapy because of myths that simply aren’t true.
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Whether it’s the idea that therapy is only for crisis, or that asking for support is “weak,” these beliefs can keep people from getting the help they deserve.
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Therapy isn’t just for when things fall apart, rather it’s for growth, reflection, self-care, and everyday support too.
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Swipe through as we debunk 5 common myths and share the truth behind what therapy really looks like.
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Which myth have you heard, or believed, before? Let us know in the comments.
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At Pinnacle Counseling, we believe that celebrating Pride isn’t just about visibility. It’s about mental well-being, belonging, and healing. For many in the LGBTQIA+ community, Pride is a reminder that identity and mental health are deeply connected. This month, and every month, we affirm that your story matters and that safe, inclusive care should be a standard — not a struggle.

Swipe through to explore how Pride empowers mental health and why it matters. 💙💚

Therapy Tool Thursday
When emotions feel too big, your body can help bring you back to the present.
This week’s quick-acting skill: TIPP — a DBT favorite for managing intense emotion in the moment.

Whether it’s splashing cold water on your face, doing 30 seconds of jumping jacks, or slowing your breath, these small shifts can make a big difference. 💙

Save this post and come back to it when you need grounding.

If today feels a little heavy, uncertain, or tender for whatever reason; you’re not alone.
Swipe through for some soft truths to hold onto as you move through the week:

You don’t have to earn rest
Some days, showing up is enough
Progress isn’t always visible
You’re allowed to take up space

Wherever you are today, that’s a valid place to be. We’re here to support you through it all.

Father’s Day isn’t the same for everyone.

Today, we hold space for:
New dads
Step dads
Single dads
Dads who’ve lost children
Those with complicated father relationships
Those grieving dads who’ve passed away
Men who long to be fathers
Father like figures
Anyone we didn’t mention

Whatever this day stirs in you whether that is joy, grief, longing, or love, we see you. You’re not alone.

If today feels heavy, our team is here to support you.

Who is therapy for? Spoiler alert: It’s for YOU.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, going through a transition, healing from the past, or just needing someone to talk to—therapy can help. At Pinnacle Counseling in Chicago, we believe support should be accessible, affirming, and tailored to you.

Let’s take the next step together 💙 Link in bio!