Perspective Psychology’s Sabina Skupien shares how her personal journey inspired career in therapy

Sabina Skupien is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor for Perspective Psychology. She works with clients of all ages and specializes in anxiety, depression, trauma and transitions, among other issues.

Sabina is bilingual and speaks fluent Polish. Here, she shares how her personal journey of grief and loss inspired her to pursue a career in therapy.

What led you to become a therapist?

I think I always had an interest in helping other people. Even as a kid, I remember being very observant and in tune with my feelings. I was a fairly anxious kid, too. Once I started taking psychology classes in college and volunteering at a crisis hotline, I began exploring the field a little further. I was also working through my own journey of grief and loss, which allowed me to discover the beauty of therapy on my own.

What did that journey entail?

When I was in college, I unfortunately lost one of my best friends to suicide. That was a pretty impactful thing to experience. I was volunteering at the crisis hotline at the time and experiencing a whole range of emotions I didn’t quite know how to deal with. Finding a community in mental health certainly helped, as well as working through some of these things on my own. I was studying psychology, and it was the first time I entered therapy, which definitely helped in the process of healing and putting myself together again.

That had to be so difficult. Do you think those experiences have helped you relate to your clients and what they may be going through?

Absolutely. It’s so important to have empathy, and working through grief, loss and my own anxieties have helped me relate to people and understand what they may be experiencing. There are times when I’m able to connect with clients on a more personal level. I recognize that every experience—good or bad—leads us to a certain point in our lives. That’s the mindset and approach I like to take.

What was it like volunteering at a crisis hotline?

That was my way of figuring out if therapy was for me. Before that, I always felt like I was pretty good at talking to friends and listening and helping them with relationship problems, family problems and things like that. But volunteering in college really opened my eyes to the beauty of therapy and the opportunity it provided people to talk about their day and what they were going through. I think we were able to do some very meaningful work.

How would you describe your approach to therapy?

I look at it two ways. Clinically speaking, my approach is pretty integrative. I incorporate a person-centered approach alongside CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). However, when it comes to the foundation of my practice, I’m pretty committed to a strength-based approach, which means helping each of my clients discover and foster their own strengths to help them overcome any challenges or barriers that may be preventing them from reaching some of their goals.

What types of clients do you typically see?

I have experience working with all ages. In the past, I worked mostly with children and families, but currently I’ve focused primarily on adults, whether it’s college students, young professionals or older adults as well. I support clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, transitions, ADHD—things of that sort—and I’m passionate about helping people improve self-confidence and self-awareness, which often improves their interpersonal relationships. Having grown up in Eastern Europe, I’m also in tune with how different cultures can impact how we experience and process events.

How do you build rapport with clients?

Building a healthy therapeutic relationship is essential for any healing process. My goal is to bring a sense of warmth, calm and unconditional support to my sessions. Being open, curious and even injecting a little bit of humor can also be helpful. A lot of my clients are telehealth, but it’s still important to create a safe space to build coping skills. Sharing and owning your story is powerful, and I want to help clients through it.

What do you like to do in your personal life?

One thing telehealth clients will automatically notice are the plants in my background (laughs). I like collecting plants and taking care of them and watching them grow. I like to visit conservatories and botanical gardens. I also like to be outside. I love the beach and the water, and I like being surrounded by pretty scenery in general, as well as reading and spending time with friends.

What would you say to someone who would like to pursue therapy but is on the fence?

Therapy is like having a spa day with your mind. When we have a sore throat, we go to a doctor and take the appropriate steps to help ourselves feel better. Therapy can be the exact same thing. It’s a time for self-care and wellness. It can be difficult to ask for help, but once you do, it can put you on a path of self-discovery and healing. Finding the right fit is also important. I always offer free 20-minute consultations, which gives clients a chance to get to know me, ask questions or voice any concerns they may have about starting therapy. If you’re on the fence, I would encourage you to try. I know from experience we all need help making sense of our lives and the world around us, and I would love to help you on your journey.

To schedule an appointment or a 20-minute complimentary consultation with Sabina, please email sabina@perspectivepsychchicago.com or call 312.219.4062.