Chicago Loop / Telehealth across Illinois
A different kind of therapy practice, built so both clients and therapists can thrive.
We work with adults, couples and relationships, LGBTQIA2S+ clients, and people seeking poly, ENM, and kink-affirming care, including Spanish-speaking clients.
Gemstone Wellness was founded in 2016 by Dr. Jenny Martin, PsyD. Her belief was simple: when therapists are supported, clients get better care.
Jenny had grown frustrated with traditional group practices: long hours, low pay, little stability, and not enough room for therapists to take care of themselves. She wanted to know if it could be done differently.
So she started Gemstone as a solo private practice. For several years she kept it small on purpose, learning billing, insurance, operations, and clinical systems herself before growing.
Jenny wanted a partner who would question assumptions and help make real decisions. When she met Andrea Santiago, LCPC, NCC, she knew she had found that person.
Andrea started as a part-time contractor, then became Jenny’s partner in growing the practice. In 2021 they began expanding Gemstone together. In 2023, Andrea became co-owner.
They kept returning to one question: What would it look like to build a therapy practice where both clients and therapists can thrive?
Gemstone employs therapists as W-2 employees, not contractors. Full-time clinical work is built around about 20 client hours a week, so therapists have time for notes, consultation, growth, and life outside work.
The goal was never to be the biggest practice. It was to be a healthier one, with fair pay, benefits (including health insurance, a 401(k), and PTO), and a culture that supports sustainable care.
Because Jenny and Andrea believe that care starts with the therapist. If the person providing care is burned out or unsupported, that matters for clients too.
Gemstone doesn’t just fill schedules. Therapists get support with client fit, referrals, specialties, and complex clinical questions. Professional growth continues after licensure, including monthly team learning.
That means caseloads may grow more slowly, and that’s intentional. Investing in therapists builds stronger care for clients.
Founder
Co-owner & Clinical Director
Gemstone Wellness is a small group practice serving Chicago and clients across Illinois via telehealth. We offer individual, couples/relationship, and family therapy, with care for anxiety, depression, trauma, identity, neurodivergence, relationships, and life transitions.
We have grown since 2016, but the core idea has not changed: stay personal, support our clinicians, and put client care first.
When we face hard decisions, we ask: Does this support the people who work here and the people who come here for care?
That’s where the name Gemstone comes from.
Our wellness matters. Yours does, too.
In person: 53 W Jackson Blvd #838, Chicago, IL 60604 (downtown Loop).
Telehealth: Secure online therapy throughout Illinois.
Care is available in English and Spanish.
Whether you are navigating anxiety, grief, trauma, relationships, or identity, our licensed clinicians are here in Chicago and online across Illinois.
Gemstone Wellness protects your privacy under HIPAA. Therapy and evaluation records are shared only with your consent, except where required by law.