Therapists
After 8 years at 1803 N California, Perennial Counseling Collective is closing its doors as a group psychotherapy practice in October 2025. Each of our therapists are continuing in their work: a few of us under the Perennial umbrella at a new location or virtually, some of us as solo practitioners or as therapists at other group practices - please feel free to email Amanda and she can put you in touch.
A heartfelt thank you to each of you who showed up and made Perennial the safe holding space, full of light and thriving plants, these last 8 years. We are full of gratitude.
Amanda Bull, LCPC
psychotherapist + clinical supervisor + consultant
As a therapist, I want to meet each client where they are in their process and walk with them as they move toward healing and fullness of life. Within each of us is a movement toward growth, but it’s often derailed by our experiences and our interpretations of these experiences. I help my clients identify these points of derailment so that they may be free to live their lives fully and to become their most authentic selves.
I come from a psychodynamic orientation, meaning that I believe that dynamics outside our awareness often impact our actions and emotions. Gaining insight into these dynamics can be enormously clarifying and healing. I am particularly interested in helping individuals to develop their sense of self within the context of various relationships (past and present), including their relationship with me as their therapist. Much of my work is with individuals in times of transition as I believe that these moments are life-defining and provide opportunities for growth and change.
I am Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level I trained and am grateful to incorporate this healing modality into my work with clients. Areas of focus include anxiety, depression, eating disturbances, perinatal mental health, identity development, spirituality, life transitions, and relationships.
amanda@perennialcounseling.co, 773-687-6065
Hannah Kohn Shakeri, LCSW
psychotherapist + clinical supervisor
It’s hard being human, and it can be even harder to ask for help. As a justice-oriented therapist, what matters to me is what works for you. I prioritize an intersectional, relational, and pluralistic approach by drawing from multiple frameworks, including but not limited to psychodynamics, parts work, attachment theory, and somatics. I seek to build authentic, accountable, transparent relationships based on your definitions of safety and respect. Centering and affirming your experiences in the world is most important to me. In our time together, I’ll regard you as the expert in your own lived experience as we both learn more about what it is like to be you.
I work with clients to explore chronic, complex, intergenerational, and secondary trauma. I specialize in supporting those who have been exposed to trauma particularly in helping professions and education settings. I seek to explore the ways those traumas impact relational patterns with ourselves and others. It is also essential to me to acknowledge and unpack how the intersections of our identity lead us to interact with dimensions of marginalization and privilege. We may find ourselves exploring how our two identity configurations are playing out in the therapy room itself.
I work with teens and adults. I have experience supporting individuals living and struggling with anxiety, depression, suicidality, identity development, life transitions, and challenges with sex and intimacy. I am poly-affirming, kink-aware, and am committed to aligning myself with values of transformative justice and harm reduction.
hannah@perennialcounseling.co, 773-819-6415
Defne Ildiz, LPC
psychotherapist (virtual only)
The journey to parenthood can be filled with a spectrum of emotions, ranging from excitement to anxiety or hope to grief. I’m dedicated to guiding individuals through these complex experiences, specifically those facing perinatal mood disorders, infertility, pregnancy loss, and the challenges of becoming a parent. My mission is to create a compassionate space where you can explore your emotions and find your path to healing.
I truly believe in the power of authenticity and self-acceptance. Together, we will focus on creating connection through empathy, warmth and humor. Sessions with me are meant to be a collaborative space for us to develop a unique pace that best suits you and your needs. As your therapist, I strive to help you identify and build upon the strengths you already have in order to create the change you’re seeking.
With a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University, training from Postpartum Support International and American Society of Reproductive Medicine, I have experience in addressing perinatal mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, life transitions, relational concerns and grief. In my practice, I resonate most with Psychodynamic, Relational, Internal Family Systems, DBT and Emotion Centered theories, using a holistic, integrative approach in our work together.
Beyond individual therapy, I am passionate about promoting awareness of perinatal and reproductive mental health issues. I hope to empower individuals and families during these critical life transitions with confidence and connection.
Sarah Schenck, LCSW
psychotherapist (virtual only)
At times, life is hard. You may be struggling to focus, be stuck in self-defeating thought patterns, feeling out of control, or hopeless about the world. Whether you are experiencing symptoms of distress for the first time, or are continually haunted by the past, it can be overwhelming to manage alone.
As your therapist, you will find me patient, collaborative and energetic. I draw upon a diverse range of disciplines to support our work together (psychodynamic, systems, feminist, DBT and internal family systems). In our sessions I am curious to explore all facets of your life. I pay particular attention to the stories you tell about yourself and the world, and the hidden function of “problematic” (misunderstood) behaviors. Developing a new and compassionate understanding of your inner world, can lead to greater freedom in your life and relationships.
I provide therapy to adults, and adolescents of all backgrounds with a focus on trauma, addictive behaviors, disordered eating/body image issues and identity formation in adolescence and early adulthood. My previous professional and current life experience - as a community social worker and a mother to two- broaden my perspective on therapy. I am Level I trained in Internal Family Systems.