Kira Silverstein, MA, MCFT

Pronouns - she/they

(Kira can work with clients in Illinois, Colorado, and Florida)

Approach to therapy:

I believe that people are the experts of their own lives, and sometimes they need a mirror to reflect that which they already know. My trauma-informed approach honors the range of experiences and identities that individuals, couples and families hold. The wounded parts of ourselves that have kept us stuck in old stories, or relational patterns, can be explored collaboratively in therapy. I will honor and affirm the innate wisdom and strength that each client holds while also recognizing their capacity and desire for change.

I believe part of my role as a therapist is to help clients learn how to hold life’s complexities and one’s “parts” with greater compassion, awareness, and understanding. I view healing as a holistic, systemic process that requires tending to the wellness of the whole person’s body, mind, and spirit as well as their cultural tapestry.

Willing to be seen in the fullness of our humanity is a courageous act, and I hold a deep reverence for the vulnerability it requires to let someone into that process. I will meet you wherever you are with empathy and a calming presence. But don’t worry, I can get quite silly.

Clinical Interest:

I support individuals, couples and families as they navigate grief and loss, anxiety and depression, life transitions, sex and intimacy, and healing from trauma, both acute and complex. As a former doula, and childcare professional, I am both passionate, and experienced in supporting folks’ as they move through (in)fertility, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and parenting. I love collaborating with other care professionals and healers to ensure clients are receiving continuity of care.

As a queer and gender expansive femme, I provide an affirming space for LGBTQIA+ folks to feel safe and seen. Additionally, I practice through an anti-racist, intersectional feminist lens, and am sex positive, and poly/kink affirming.

I am especially passionate about working with couples (and other relational configurations). I am experienced in helping couples through high conflict or every day kerfluffles, deepening sexual and emotional intimacy and desire, navigating intercultural dynamics, parenting, and improving communication.

My therapeutic approach primarily integrates Emotionally Focused Therapy and IFS, attachment theory, mindfulness, experiential and somatic modalities.

Education and Training:

After receiving my M.A. in Applied Theatre at the CUNY School of Professional Studies, I recognized the need to deepen my understanding and knowledge of trauma in a more comprehensive way.

I hold a Master’s in Couple and Family Therapy from Adler University. I have training in trauma-informed care, and am currently working towards certification in integrative somatic trauma studies via The Embody Lab, and IFS Level 1 training. I am Level 1 Gottman trained, and have extensive training in perinatal mental health, through Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA), Doulas of North America (DONA), Birthing Advocacy Doula Training (BADT) and Postpartum Support International (PSI).

Three things I love: 

Food (pasta is probably my fave), the ocean, belly laughs.

Kira can be reached at: kira@amandaatkinschicago.com. You can read their most recent blog post here!