Cloud Nine Counseling · Chicago · Online across Illinois
Therapy for the life you're actually living.
Anxiety, relationships, and growing into yourself: it's a lot sometimes.
Cloud Nine Counseling helps young adults navigate anxiety, relationships, and life's complicated moments. Whether you're overwhelmed by racing thoughts, recovering from a breakup, or trying to understand patterns that keep showing up in your relationships, we're here to help you make sense of it all.
Anxiety · Relationships · Real life
What brings you here?
Pick what sounds closest. Most people recognize themselves in more than one.
Anxiety & OCD
Anxiety is often what brings people through the door: racing thoughts, panic that seems to come from nowhere, or a constant feeling that something's about to go wrong.
Sound familiar?
- Panic attacks
- Intrusive thoughts
- Perfectionism
- Rumination & overthinking
- Stress
- Trouble sleeping
How therapy may help
- Understand what keeps anxiety going
- Practice responding to anxious thoughts differently
- Use ERP for OCD-related concerns, when it fits
Relationships & Boundaries
Breakups, dating, a partner, a parent, a best friend. How we connect shapes how we feel. Relationship work isn't only for couples.
Sound familiar?
- Breakups & heartbreak
- Dating & relationship anxiety
- Infidelity
- Attachment patterns
- Family conflict & friendships
- Premarital & marriage concerns
How therapy may help
- Make sense of recurring relationship patterns
- Communicate needs more directly
- Set boundaries without as much guilt
Life Transitions
College, a first job, a new city, marriage, pregnancy, parenthood. Even good changes can leave you feeling unsteady or behind.
Sound familiar?
- College & early career
- Independence
- Marriage
- Pregnancy & postpartum
- Parenting
- Family changes
How therapy may help
- Slow down and sort out what you actually want
- Adjust to new roles and identities
- Steady yourself through uncertainty
Self-Esteem & Body Image
A harsh inner critic, comparing yourself to everyone, or a complicated relationship with food and your body can quietly shape everything else.
Sound familiar?
- Self-worth & confidence
- Body image
- Disordered eating concerns
- Emotional regulation
- Coping patterns that cost you later
How therapy may help
- Notice and challenge the inner critic
- Build skills for overwhelming emotions
- Replace coping habits that no longer serve you
Sexual & Intimacy Concerns
Intimacy can carry anxiety, pain, history, or mismatched desire. We offer a respectful space to talk about how these concerns affect you and your relationships.
Sound familiar?
- Intimacy difficulties
- Sexual anxiety
- Desire differences
- Emotional effects of pelvic pain
- Trauma-related difficulties
- Substance use straining trust and connection
How therapy may help
- Talk openly without judgment
- Understand the emotional and relational side
- Coordinate referrals when specialized or medical care is needed
Two ways to work together
On your own. Or together.
Individual Therapy
For anxiety, relationships, identity, emotional well-being, and navigating life.
Explore individual therapy
Couples & Relationship Therapy
For communication, connection, trust, conflict, premarital concerns, and marriage.
Explore couples & relationship therapyOur approach · Therapy that goes somewhere
Real Support. Practical Tools.
Therapy should be a place where you feel genuinely heard and understood. But it can also be a place where you learn practical skills, challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and begin making meaningful changes in your everyday life.
That can mean cognitive restructuring, building emotional regulation skills, understanding attachment patterns, communicating more clearly, setting healthier boundaries, and practicing new habits between sessions.
CBTCognitive Behavioral Therapy
Notice the thoughts driving how you feel, test them, and practice more helpful ways of thinking. This is often called cognitive restructuring.
ERPExposure & Response Prevention
A form of CBT for OCD: gradually facing feared thoughts or situations while practicing not doing the compulsion, at a pace you agree to.
ACTAcceptance & Commitment Therapy
Loosen the grip of difficult thoughts and feelings so you can move toward what matters to you.
DBTDialectical Behavior Therapy skills
Practical tools for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and communicating clearly in relationships.
IFSInternal Family Systems
Get curious about the different 'parts' of you, like the critic, the worrier, and the protector, and how they learned their jobs.
Not every clinician uses every approach. Ask about their style during your consultation.
Meet your therapists
Experienced. Approachable. Here to Help.
Mary Claire Schibelka, LCPC
Founder & Lead Counselor
Mary Claire is the founder of Cloud Nine Counseling and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She works with young adults on anxiety, relationships, and the patterns that keep people feeling stuck.
- Anxiety & Panic
- OCD
- Friendships
- Dating
- Sex & Intimacy
- Substance Moderation
- License
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Illinois
- Availability
- Mon–Thu 10 AM–5 PM · Fri 10 AM–12 PM (Central)
Sarah Burke, LCPC
Counselor
Sarah is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who works with individuals and couples on anxiety, depression, relationships, and the transitions that reshape adult life.
- Anxiety
- Marriage
- Pre- & Postpartum
- Couples Counseling
- License
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Illinois
- Availability
- Evenings & Saturdays · Mon–Thu 5–8 PM · Sat 8–11 AM (Central)
Want your faith to be part of the conversation?
Both Mary Claire and Sarah offer Christian counseling upon request at Cloud Nine Counseling. It's always optional and guided by you. Clients of all religious and nonreligious backgrounds are welcome.
About Christian counselingGetting started
Three small steps.
- 01
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation
A low-pressure chance to ask questions.
- 02
Find a therapist who fits your needs
We'll talk through focus, style, and availability.
- 03
Begin virtual therapy
From anywhere in Illinois, somewhere you feel comfortable.
Good questions
Things you might be wondering.
How do I know whether I need therapy?
You don't need a crisis or a perfectly worded reason. If anxiety, a relationship, or a transition has been weighing on you, that's reason enough to have a free consultation and see how it feels.
Can therapy help after a breakup?
Yes. Breakups are one of the most common reasons young adults reach out. Therapy gives you room to grieve, make sense of what happened, and think about what you want next.
What if I'm anxious but don't know why?
That's common. Part of therapy is getting curious together about when anxiety shows up and what it's connected to. You don't need to have it figured out first.
Can I talk about dating and relationships in individual therapy?
Absolutely. Relationships are central to our work, and much of it happens in individual sessions, whether you're single, dating, or partnered.
What if I'm not sure which therapist to choose?
Read both profiles, then use the free 15-minute consultation to ask questions. We'll help you think about fit, focus areas, and availability.
Do you accept insurance?
The practice works with BCBS PPO, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and Curative. Participation varies by therapist and plan, so we'll check your benefits for you before your first session. You don't have to call your insurance company.
Is Christian counseling required?
No. Christian counseling is available upon request for clients who want it. Clients of all backgrounds and beliefs are welcome.
How does virtual therapy work?
Sessions are held by secure video from anywhere you're physically located in Illinois. All you need is a private space and a reliable connection.
