Elizabeth Yoo-lae Cho 조유래, MA, LPC, ATR-P
Teens & Adults (ADHD, Autism ,OCD, Eating Disorders & Body Image, Trauma, and complex life experiences)
BIPOC, Asian & Asian American, First time therapy, LGBTQIA+, Creatives & Artists, Neurodivergent Affirming
Masking, Performance, & Burnout Recovery
Licensed Professional Counselor and Provisionally Registered Art Therapist
English & conversational Korean (일상 회화 한국어)
Hi, I’m Elizabeth. I help people find their way back to who they are and see themselves more clearly.
“What does it feel like to take up space?”
I offer disability culture-informed therapy for teens and adults navigating ADHD, Autism, OCD, trauma, anxiety, depression, burnout, and complex life experiences. My work also supports BIPOC clients, immigrants, first-time therapy clients, LGBTQIA+ clients, creatives, artists, and those that have felt misunderstood or hid parts of themselves to belong in spaces.
Space can show up in the way you walk into a room, how loud you speak, or physical space you occupy. But what about emotional space? In relationships, at work, and within yourself? How much of yourself do you allow to exist?
Common roles my clients have carried include being the “responsible one”, “rainbow/black sheep”, or generally feeling they are performing in their relationships. Some have learned to stay vigilant and hide themselves to get through environments where they did not feel fully seen or have been misunderstood. Complexity is welcome here. When you feel tangled, disconnected, or numb, we can find ways to understand your experience.
I believe that cultural misunderstandings in mental health care can lead to misdiagnosis, minimized experiences, or emotional labor to explain yourself. Much of the work includes reducing the burden of translation, and working towards helping you feel seen and understood.
For those interested in engaging in art therapy, making art is one of the most literal and radical ways of taking up space. Art therapy can help you explore your experience visually and somatically, and notice patterns that may be hard to reach through words alone. You are welcome to use art materials in session, or we can work through talk therapy. Sessions often center on making meaning of life experience, building insight, and helping you move toward more vitality in your life.
If you’re interested in working with me, book a free 15-minute therapist matching call with our intake team. You can share what you’re looking for, ask about my current availability, and get a sense of whether I might be a good fit.
언어/Language
한국어를 가볍게 사용하는 것은 환영합니다. 한국어와 영어를 섞어서 대화하는 것이 편한 클라이언트와 잘 맞습니다. 다만, 심도 있는 주제나 위기 상황, 진단, 치료 계획과 같은 중요한 논의에서는 모든 내용을 한국어로 명확하게 표현하기 어려울 수 있습니다. 이상적으로는 번역하거나 언어에 적응하는 부담이 클라이언트에게 있어서는 안 된다고 생각합니다. 이 정도의 언어 능력이 괜찮으시다면 편하게 연락 주세요.
Speaking Korean lightly is welcome. I am a good fit for clients who are comfortable mixing Korean and English. While I can engage in everyday conversation in Korean, it may be difficult for me to clearly express everything in more in-depth discussions, crisis situations, diagnoses, treatment planning, or other important therapeutic conversations. Ideally, the burden of translation or language adaptation should not fall on the client. If this feels like a good fit, you are welcome to reach out.
On Being a Counselor
Alongside individual clients, I also facilitate groups in higher levels of care at PHP and IOP settings for those addressing eating disorders and substance addiction. I have participated as a guest on podcasts, a recipient of the American Art Therapy Association’s New Professional award, and have been invited to guest lecture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Practitioner Background
I chose to become an art therapist after recognizing a gap in mental health services, where many individuals with marginalized identities were struggling to access affirming, inclusive care. At the time, I recognized how essential representation and curiosity to understand others are in mental health care.
In the past, I’ve led teen wellness groups through UChicago Medicine, facilitated art therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation programs for adults with chronic mental health and intellectual disability diagnoses, and organized community art wellness workshops. My work with immigrants, refugees, neurodivergent adults, and BIPOC/ALAANA communities has informed a trauma-informed, culturally responsive lens.
More About Elizabeth
Key Philosophical Beliefs
- Healing happens in spaces where you feel safe enough to experience joy, connection, and authenticity.
- Transparency and collaboration are standard practice in therapy. You are allowed and encouraged to give feedback.
- Creative expression can support insight, especially when words fall short.
- Moving away from “good” or “bad” binaries can make more room for self-understanding, accountability, and change. Shame often appears when we moralize ourselves.
- I view therapy as a relational process, and do not believe therapy has to feel purely clinical for meaningful work. My approach makes room for rapport, humanity, warmth, self-care, light humor, and creative exploration.
- “I don’t know” is still a place to start.
- Therapy can include reflection and action, and ultimately you get permission to define what healing looks like for you.
Counseling Training
- MA in Art Therapy & Counseling, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- BFA in Studio Art, School of the Art Institute of Chicago Practicing Visual Artist
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC),
- Illinois Provisionally Registered Art Therapist (ATR-P)
- PHP/IOP Clinical Experience
- Group Therapy Facilitation
- Art Therapy Curriculum Design
- Harm Reduction
- DBT-Informed Care
- Narrative Therapy
- Strengths-Based Therapy
- Relational Therapy
- Somatic informed Therapy
- Trauma-Informed
- Anti-Oppressive Practice
- Culturally Sensitive Care
- Immigrant & Refugee Mental Health
- Neurodivergent-Affirming Care
- Eating Disorder & Substance Use Support
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation
- Youth Wellness Programming
- Adult Wellness Programming
Elizabeth as a Person
Born and raised in Minnesota, I’m a second-generation Korean American. Outside of work, I love walking around the city, spending time with family and friends, visiting museums and galleries, and dreaming up new creative projects. I’m someone who values everyday rituals, slow mornings, kickboxing, and a good outfit.
