Hi, I’m Andrea Santiago, Co-Owner, Clinical Director, and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 14 years of experience working in mental health. I am bilingual and work with adolescents (14+) and adults navigating grief, life transitions, identity exploration, anxiety, and stress. I also provide immigration psychological evaluations for hardship, VAWA, asylum, U-Visa, T-Visas, and other cases. 

I grew up as a Puerto Rican Latina raised by a single mom, and that shaped a lot of how I see the world. Several of my own family members have gone through the immigration process, and I know how vulnerable and life-changing these transitions can be. It’s an honor to help individuals and families tell their stories with dignity and strength. 

 I know what it’s like to juggle culture, family expectations, and figuring out who you are while the world keeps moving. That background has given me a deep understanding of resilience, identity, and how systems and culture can impact your sense of belonging. I am committed to social justice and antiracist practice and am aware of how privilege, oppression, and cultural identity deeply impact your life.

I’m deeply passionate about helping people find clarity and self-understanding in a safe, non-judgmental space. Witnessing those “aha!” moments when clients connect the dots, see themselves with new compassion, and reclaim their own story, is what I live for. My work enters on guiding clients as they explore identity, relationships, and the meaning of life’s transitions, especially when loss, uncertainty, or change disrupts what once felt stable. 

Before Gemstone Wellness, I worked in all sorts of settings: outpatient therapy, mobile crisis response for kids and teens, family therapy, and training other clinicians. Over the years, I’ve seen how culture, family, and life’s unexpected twists can shape someone’s mental health. I’ve watched how big changes, systemic barriers, and major transitions can affect people, and I wanted to help them tell their stories with care and clarity. I have a deep appreciation for resilience and the courage it takes to rebuild your life after loss or major change.

Outside the office, I’m a singer and musician in a local indie pop-rock band, and I love writing and recording my own music. I stay active biking along the lakefront, running the Riverwalk, or hitting the gym.I cherish quality time with family and friends. Connection is my love language! I’m an avid traveler who loves exploring new cultures and cuisines. Chicago’s food scene is my playground; I’m always discovering new restaurants and flavors. 

You don’t have to navigate your life’s challenges alone. My hope is that, together, we’ll explore who you are, where you’ve been, and where you want to go, and that you’ll allow me to help you discover your strengths, reclaim your story, and move forward with courage and clarity.