Leslie Crea-Kammerer, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Who I Am:
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of Advanced Psychology Services. I am also a lifelong learner, and I have spent over 15 years applying that learning mindset to the field of psychology. I have had the privilege to serve the field and the community not only as a therapist and diagnostician, but also as a Training Director, Administrator, Clinical Supervisor, and Professor. One of the things I most enjoyed about my previous experiences is that they provided exposure to new ideas and helped me stay up-to-date with the constantly evolving field of psychology. I combine that learning mindset with cutting-edge tools and research whether I am conducting psychological evaluations or helping my therapy clients sort through their problems to identify the path they want to take.
Who I Work With:
When it comes to therapy, I love working with adults who are willing to consider trying something new in service of achieving their goals and improving their lives. I most enjoy opportunities to help adults seeking to manage strong emotions, overcome traumatic experiences, improve their relationships, and navigate life transitions.
When it comes to testing, I work with clients ages five years old through middle adulthood. I especially enjoy helping provide diagnostic clarification for people wondering about ADHD, Autism, personality disorders, or those who have experienced acute or complex trauma. I try to approach assessment from a trauma-responsive and neurodivergence-affirming perspective.
My Interests:
I am particularly interested in the assessment and treatment of individuals struggling with traumatic experiences. I believe that there are a wide range of experiences that can be traumatic and challenging to maneuver in life, and that many people are carrying the weight of complex trauma experiences: Multiple types and incidents of trauma that have an increasingly complex impact over time. I am also interested in helping people struggling with intense mood and anxiety disorders or severe mental illness. I have a long history of interest and experience in helping people who struggle with high-conflict relationships and want to improve their relationships; these can be marital or romantic relationships,co-parenting relationships, parent-child relationships, or difficulties with making or maintaining healthy friendships or boundaries. Finally, I am very interested in helping people navigate life transitions, both those that can be challenging or traumatic and those that are in the service of increasing wellness and balance in their lives.
I am also interested in the training and supervision of mental health providers, especially psychologists, and how we measure and evaluate what we do for the purpose of improving treatment services.
My Philosophy and Approach to Treatment:
I believe that all people want to be healthy, happy, and successful. Life, however, can be stressful or traumatic at times. We often cannot choose or change the stressors that life presents, and we respond to them as best we can. But we can get “stuck” and may need more tools or ideas for how to move forward.
My goal is to help you actually start living a life you want. I do this by helping you better understand what is happening in your life and how you got there. We explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to identify patterns and how these connect to your experiences. I help you clarify what you want and who you want to be in life. We then sort through your options to identify steps you can take to disrupt these patterns and get on the path to that healthier, happier, and more successful life.
I know how difficult these tasks can be. I believe warmth and empathy are crucial to building trust and creating a strong therapy relationship. I strive to be genuine and curious, I often use humor and am known to laugh loudly or make nerdy references, and will challenge you to consider new ways of thinking and behaving. Each treatment plan is unique and individualized to your needs and goals. Only you can define what you want, and I will use all of my skills to help you achieve those goals.
Change is hard. But so is staying the same when you are suffering. I look forward to helping you reduce that suffering and start living a life you want.
Pronouns: She, her
Credentials and Experience:
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois (license #071008168) since 2010.
PSYPACT APIT since 2020, Mobility Number: 6043
Dr. Crea-Kammerer is authorized via PSYPACT to practice virtually in multiple states. See the PSYPACT map to see if your state is currently included: https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap
Dr. Crea-Kammerer has extensive experience in Community Mental Health and Integrated Care settings as a treatment provider, clinical supervisor, and administrator. She also has experience in inpatient and hospital settings, and in private and therapeutic school settings.
Certificate in Introduction to Nonprofit Leadership (2017), University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business (Cicero Community Center, Cicero, IL)
Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology (2009), The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago, IL)
Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Psychology (2005), The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago, IL)