Your Guide to Grief Counseling in Chicago and Immigration Evaluations: Insights from Andrea Santiago, LCPC
Experiencing grief and loss can feel like a shock to our entire system. Whether it’s the pain of separation from a relationship, a job, a life stage, or a loved one, we can be left feeling disoriented, and finding our bearings can feel exhausting.
As a dance therapist and Christian counselor in Chicago specializing in relationships, I’ve seen firsthand how the effects of suffering can become stored in the body and how they also impact one’s faith. Through the mind-body connection, I help clients gently process and reorganize their emotional pain while reconnecting to hope through their faith.
Grief becomes even more complicated when emigration is involved, especially when seeking asylum due to traumatic events in one's home country.
In this edition of my “Insights from Colleagues” series, I’m delighted to introduce Andrea Santiago, a colleague who offers grief counseling in Chicago. Andrea has a deep passion for helping clients navigate the pain that comes with loss. She’ll also share how immigration psychological evaluations can be a powerful tool for supporting individuals facing the complexities of immigration—a journey often closely intertwined with grief.
Meet Andrea Santiago, a grief counselor in Chicago
Andrea identifies as she/her and is a proud Latina. She is the Co-Owner and Clinical Director of Gemstone Wellness. She is also a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor specializing in grief/loss and life transitions and providing immigration psychological evaluations.
Q & A with Andrea Santiago, LCPC and certified grief counselor in Chicago
How did you choose your line of work?
I’ve always had a heart and desire to listen to people and to genuinely help others. I have felt that being a therapist has been a calling for me since I was young. I enjoy working and collaborating with clients in deep insight-oriented work. It’s always been a great honor to be part of the healing journey of my clients.
Why did you decide to practice grief counseling in Chicago?
Honestly, it had nothing to do with the region itself and all to do with moving to Chicago for a relationship I was in personally. When the relationship ended back in 2016, I continued to stay in Chicago as I had established a network and had chosen to make Chicago my home base.
What kind of services do you provide and to what ages?
I offer psychotherapy to clients ages 14 and up. I also provide immigration psychological evaluations for those in the process of asylum, T-Visas, U-Visas, VAWAs, and Extreme Hardship cases.
What is your favorite kind of specialized training and how does it impact your work with clients?
My favorite specialized training was when I became a certified grief counselor. It greatly impacts my clients as grief/loss and life transitions are my niches. In learning this training, I was able to get comfortable with death as well which is something most people avoid. In the work that I do with clients with grief/loss and life transitions, a lot of meaning-making is done as well as re-evaluation of one’s identity and purpose.
I also enjoy that I can provide immigration psychological evaluations. As someone who has had family members go through immigration, I understand the complexities that come with the immigration process in this country. To be able to provide immigration psychological assessments to aid clients in their immigration cases is a privilege and allows me to give back to my community and people.
How does grief counseling help people with relationship issues or trauma?
With the work I do with life transitions and grief/loss, I find that clients who are going through a relationship transition (getting married, getting divorced, breakups, and/or getting into a relationship) often have their trauma triggers exacerbated in this time. Trauma work often comes into play as we explore the current relationships as well as the ones of the past.
When I work with clients in completing immigration psychological evaluations, oftentimes trauma work is heavily involved, especially for clients leaving their families behind in their home country to cross the border.
An immigration psychological evaluation is an in-depth review and evaluation of the biological, psychological, and social history of the past and present. It thoroughly goes through the events that led to seeking protection and relocation to another country. It emphasizes the psychological impact of one’s immigration experience.
One thing I ensure is to complete a thorough psychological assessment, meticulously written to stress the immense impact of the immigration experience on one’s mental health. I lead these assessments from a place of cultural humility, ensuring the utmost respect for diversity.
What do you love about working with your clients?
For me, it’s such an honor when clients feel safe with me and let me into their world. I never take this for granted as it’s not easy to initially open up to a third-party person/someone who is outside of friends, family, and co-workers. I love how the therapeutic relationship evolves to be an invaluable relationship as the therapist becomes the mirror for clients to see and gain clarity and insight. And because it’s an actual relationship, I feel filled every week when I see my clients, and I’m highly devoted to being a strong support for them.
In your experience, what are some important considerations when working with your ideal population?
Some important considerations I take into account when working with the clients in my ideal population is someone who is ready for change and to do the work even if they are scared or nervous about it. Especially with the work of grief/loss and life transitions, there has to be an acknowledgment that this is a slow and steady process, not to be rushed or have an immediate solution. In fact, oftentimes with death and life transitions, there are no immediate resolutions. Being willing to embrace the suckiness of it and sit in it is key, even if painful and uncomfortable.
What would you say to someone hesitant about seeking your services?
I would say, I completely understand. It takes courage to take that first step into coming to therapy. But, what a brave first step it is as you begin to choose yourself and invest in the healing work of yourself. It’s so essential and important. If you are someone who are hesitant about the therapy process, I am more than happy to provide a brief consultation call to explain the process of therapy and my specific style. This gives a better sense of what your needs are and if I am a good fit for your needs. Also, I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” therapist. There is a therapist for everyone so shopping around and requesting consultation calls is really key. Like finding shoes, sometimes we need to try a few pairs to find the right fit.
What do you wish people knew about services with you?
I do wish people know that it takes immense courage to come to therapy and do the work of healing themselves. Oftentimes it can feel worse before it feels better. Nonetheless, great work and progress are being made even if slowly. Having patience, understanding, and grace to yourself as you go through the therapy process is essential. We cannot shame ourselves into change but rather learn to love ourselves into evolution.
How can people contact you to learn more about your services?
People can find my bio and more about Gemstone Wellness via our website or email and contact me by phone.
Final Thoughts from a Christian Counselor in Chicago
Grief connected to immigration is unique and often layered with complex emotions, such as the loss of home, family, and familiar surroundings. For many, leaving their country is not just about physical relocation, but an emotional departure from the life they once knew. This type of grief can surface in many ways—through feelings of isolation, guilt over leaving loved ones behind, or the uncertainty of rebuilding a life in a new place.
Andrea Santiago’s deep understanding of these emotional intricacies, combined with her focus on grief, loss, and immigration psychological assessments, provides a compassionate and culturally sensitive approach to navigating this journey. Her work reminds us that healing takes time and that no one should face this type of grief alone.
Schedule a free consultation for counseling in Chicago
If you’re navigating relationship challenges, or seeking to reconnect with your faith through your healing journey, I’m here to help. As a Christian counselor in Chicago and a dance therapist, I can help you move toward the relationships and life you want.
Reach out today to schedule a free 15-minute consultation and let’s begin this journey together!
Lisaura is a dance therapist in Chicago who specializes in incorporating movement and the mind-body connection to help people heal, improve their relationships, and feel more whole. Lisaura offers individual relationship counseling, dance therapy, and couples workshops to help adults connect with themselves and others deeply.
Spanish-speaking and Christian Counseling services are available as well.
