Gia Scalise, MSW, LSW

Associate Therapist

Pronouns: they/them & she/her

Contact Info:

  • gia@empoweredconnectionscounseling.com

  • (312) 767-2057 x 27

Education: Master of Social Work, Northeastern Illinois University

I work with: individual adults

Specialties:

  • LGBTQ+ and TGNC issues

  • ADHD and autism

  • Identity exploration and intersectionality

  • Intergenerational and family trauma

  • Adult children of alcoholics and addicts

  • Substance use and recovery

  • Anxiety and depression

Modalities:

  • Relational

  • Person-Centered & Strengths-Based

  • Harm Reduction

  • Narrative Therapy 

  • Parts Work Informed

  • Anti-Capitalist, Antiracist, and Abolitionist Frameworks

  • DBT Skills and Mindfulness

Personal bio: As a therapist and storyteller, I strongly believe that we are all the experts of our own stories. That being said, systems of power, privilege, and oppression, intersecting identities, cultural values, relationships, and the pressure of social norms can greatly affect the way in which we move through the world as well as the stories we tell ourselves. My goal is to create a safe and compassionate space for you to explore your experiences and determine which stories are authentically yours and which you’re ready to reauthor.

My approach integrates various models and interventions, but the foundation of my practice is relational and harm reductionist. This means building a collaborative, resilient therapeutic relationship that supports you in meeting yourself where you’re at, highlighting or reintroducing you to your strengths, and exploring sustainable change that aligns with your values and goals. In session, I also like to hold space for humor and creativity, both of which I believe are incredibly important tools that allow us to process our experiences or engage with our emotions a little differently.

Because my practice centers on dismantling systemic narratives and expectations that may not quite fit who we are and what we need as individuals, I often work with LGBTQ+ and TGNC individuals, neurodivergent individuals, those wanting to break intergenerational trauma cycles, and those interested in changing their relationship to substances and alcohol. I also identify as a geek therapist, so I try to bring nerd culture into the therapy space for my nerdy clients to make complex topics more accessible within contexts we’re already fond of and familiar with.

I’m a therapist and storyteller, but I’m also a queer person, animal lover, and self-appointed nerd. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, reading fantasy novels, writing, all variety of board and video games, and creating Dungeons & Dragons characters based on my pets.

During our initial sessions, you can expect… Our initial sessions will include a lot of lore building! We’ll also begin to explore your goals and values, as well as collaborate on what our work together will look like.