Welcome

Welcome

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change – Carl R. Rogers

Welcome to Inner Journey Counseling and Wellness. I’m so glad you’re here because it means you are on your way to getting help with your mental health and that you are ready to begin the journey to healing. No matter what challenges you may be facing, you really can feel better. We are here to help you do just that!

Conveniently located in Downtown Downers Grove with ample free parking, we offer a holistic approach to both mind and body healing, with certified mental health therapists and a registered dietician on staff. You can choose between in-person or telehealth appointments to accommodate your needs. We are here every step of the way to support you on your path to healing and growth.

Why Inner Journey

Therapy is a very personal experience. That’s why at Inner Journey we take pride in individually tailoring therapy to meet your personal needs. There are many evidence-based practices that make up mental health therapy. Different styles work for different people. We will take the time to learn what works best for you.

As the owner and founder of Inner Journey, I have over 30 years’ experience in counseling. Experience is a key factor when seeking a therapist. Years of practice and training hone therapy skills. Those skills, along with seasoned life experience, allow a therapist to treat each client with the knowledge needed for best results.

Inner Journey works with both individuals and couples with a specialty in women’s issues. I know how incredibly demanding our lives can be, whether you're overwhelmed by navigating relationships, raising children, balancing a career/personal life, managing societal expectations, or feeling like you just want to feel. happier, we are here to help.

If you're dealing with disordered eating/ body image issues, or perimenopause, we can offer you a holistic approach from a certified Eating Disorders/Body image therapist along with a Registred Dietician to help heal both the mind and body together in one place

If you're looking for couples therapy, relationships are now much more complex than they have ever been, so you're not alone. While maintaining independence is important, so is feeling heard, valued and supported by your partner. Finding that balance through effective communication can be challenging. Whether you’re dating and want to learn to communicate better, or if you’ve been married awhile and need to get back to where you used to be, learning where the relationship issues stem from and then taking the steps to fix them and begin to regrow together again are the goals of couples therapy.

The point is you don’t have to carry any of these burdens alone. We are here to help you develop coping strategies, gain clarity and reclaim your strength, voice and well-being.

Meet Patty

Patty Yadgir, Owner
LCPC

Sofia Mendes, RDN

For those of you seeking therapy for the first time, I realize it may be a hard and confusing decision, but I have never met anyone who wasn't glad they took that step!

I work with both individuals and couples I am passionate about women's issues, and I am certified with additional expertise in eating disorders/weight/body dysmorphia and perimenopausal issues . I also have extensive experience working with LGBTQ individuals and couples. I truly love what I do! This is the field I knew I wanted to go into since I was a young person- always the listener to my friends and helping everyone around me. I will approach our sessions in that same caring and compassionate way because I really want to learn who you are and how I can help you feel your best!

It is important to find a therapist that makes you feel comfortable and safe. I believe the therapist/client bond is the most important part of therapy. I want us to get to know each other as people. Our personalities, our senses of humor, our attitudes. If that bond is there, together we can make change happen!

Therapy is talking. That's it! Sometimes I will give homework and suggest readings to help you in your journey. But most of all, it feels like a conversation. I create a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to express yourself. There are certain theories of counseling that I believe work very well in therapy. I will use these and give you tools from these therapies as we talk. The therapies that I believe in and use the most are Psychodynamic | Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Attachment Based Therapy | Solution Focused Therapy and the Gottman Approach for couples.

Sofia is a registered dietitian who is passionate about guiding others toward a healthier, more positive relationship with food and their bodies. She understands that nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all journey, which is why she prioritizes a client-centered approach and tailors her care to each individual.

Her previous experiences have fueled her commitment to supporting people in making lifestyle changes that are both sustainable and realistic. Drawing on a non-diet, intuitive eating philosophy, Sofia empowers clients to feel at ease with food while learning how to properly nourish themselves.

In a world overwhelmed by nutrition myths and misinformation, Sofia strives to cut through the noise and make healthy living approachable and clear. She recognizes that every person has unique nutritional needs and ensures her guidance reflects that. With her client-centered style, Sofia creates a welcoming, supportive, and even fun space (because yes, nutrition can be fun!). She values building strong connections with clients to provide the encouragement and accountability needed to achieve their goals.

By combining research-backed evidence with an all-foods-fit perspective, Sofia simplifies nutrition and leaves her clients feeling more confident after every session.

Services

Services are available for both individuals and couples as well as group therapy sessions.

Individual Therapy

The client counselor bond is the most important part of therapy. Therapy works best when you feel safe and heard. Talking to someone who will listen and help you learn the tools you need to change behaviors that are making you feel bad is the first step toward learning how to take control of your life and feel good again.

Couples Therapy

Whether you are going through a difficult time in your marriage, or if you are dating and want to learn better communication skills to help keep your relationship strong, couples therapy is a great way to understand both yourself and your partner better and to learn skills necessary to help build and sustain a strong relationship.

Dietetics/Nutrition Therapy

We understand that mental and physical health are deeply connected. That's why we are proud to have a registered dietician on staff as part of our holistic approach to healing. Whether you have physical health concerns, are looking to develop a healthier relationship to food, or are struggling with disordered eating, ARFID, or body image concerns, we work collaboratively to support your overall well-being.

Group Therapy

It always feels good to find other people who are going through the same things that you are. Group therapy is offered periodically in specific areas of need such as women's wellness, divorce, body image, menopause/perimenopause and issues for new moms.