Meet a Mom: Meet Lizzie Burke, Founder of Empowered Therapy! | Chicago North Shore Moms

Hello friendly faces! It’s that time of the week! We’re back with a new CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law. This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with Lizzie Burke, LCSW, mom of two and Founder and CEO of Empowered Therapy with a mission to empower each client to overcome anxiety, life changes, relationship concerns, and other challenges. Lizzie has developed a dynamic team, with clinicians who are socially justice oriented, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and trained in a variety of modalities and clinical concerns. Welcome, Lizzie!


 

Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?

Hi! My name is Lizzie Burke, and I am a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Empowered Therapy. I am a new(ish) resident of Wilmette, and moved to Wilmette with my family in May of 2021.

 

Tell us about those sweet kids of your’s!

I have two amazing kids-Palmer is 5 and just started kindergarten this year, and James is 2.5, and enjoying his time in preschool. Palmer is my social butterfly, and I credit her for all of my new mom friends in my neighborhood! James is a tool obsessed sweet soul who just wants to hang at home with his mama instead of going to school each day!

 

 

What are your favorite local places to spend with the family?

I love to spend time in our backyard with friends, and in our downtown and neighboring city, Winnetka, to support local spots. We love Sophia Steak, Pomeroy, Valley Lodge for a family friendly meal, and order-out from Towne & Oak for some park play across the way.

 

 

Please introduce Empowered Therapy! When did you establish this practice and what was the impetus behind starting your own private practice?

Empowered was established in 2015, and was grown out of my love of supporting female identified individuals who are managing their interpersonal stressors as well as managing their family and raising their children. I focused on the population I am passionate about and grew the group into a place where we can support individuals, families, and couples managing anxiety, depression, trauma, life changes,and more. Empowered has evolved as our team has grown from just two clinicians to a staff of 35+ and growing. We have worked to develop our dynamic team, with clinicians who are socially justice oriented, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and trained in a variety of modalities and clinical concerns. Our main office is in Chicago but are pleased to have opened up a location on the North Shore in Glenview!

 

What services does Empowered Therapy provide?

Empowered Therapy was built on the premise that every individual has the capacity to heal, rebuild, and change their lives. Generally we support the female identifying individuals and provide services in the following areas: Groups for black women, anxiety therapy, art therapy, parenting, couples counseling, women’s counseling and career services.

 

What insurance do you take?

We accept BCBS PPO plans, United Healthcare PPO plans, Campus Care campus insurance through University of Illinois, and self pay clients.

 

Who are your mentors in the field if any?

My mentor in the field was my clinical mentor during my fellowship program I completed during my second year of graduate school, Marylin Silin. She taught me the power of therapy, the art of psychoanalysis, and the true value in the relationship. I am eternally grateful for the influence she had on my career, which was ultimately cut short by her death in 2011. She will always be a guiding force for me.

 

What are two of the most asked questions you personally get?

1. How do you manage it all-running a business, running a household, raising your young children, maintaining social connections, etc?

I DO NOT manage it all! I will never pretend that balance is a thing, and there are days where one area gets more focus, and days where another gets the attention. There is no magic here, and the pressure can be dangerous to our mental health. I ask for help, I give myself room for error, and it truly does take a village!

2. Do you psychoanalyze everyone you know?

Do I have to answer this? 🙂 I do not, but I tend to use one rule of thumb: If you do not understand someone’s behavior, try to consider what they might be going through. Empathy is hard, but easier than anger.

 

Love that advice! What’s coming down the pipeline for Empowered Therapy?

Hopefully big things! We are continuously expanding, opening our physical location in the North Shore (we have been virtual in the NS up until this point, with a large location in the city). We are possibly expanding into other cities in the future, and we are looking to grow our training programs to allow more provisionally licensed clinicians to work with us.

 

How do our readers get in touch with you to learn more about obtaining services?

You can always visit our website, www.empoweredtherapy.org, or reach out via email to our intake team: [email protected] or 312-722-6932. We are here and ready to help!

 

Photo credit: Nicole Jones Photography 

 


About Our Meet a Mom Sponsor

A very heartfelt thank you to CNSMoms’ Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here!

Join The Chicago North Shore Moms Network Community

Stay up-to-date with what is happening in-and-around The Chicago North Shore community with local events, community highlights, and exclusive deals.