Jillian Cruz, LCPC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Staff Psychotherapist
Jillian Cruz is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and staff psychotherapist at The Aspen Center. Jillian began her undergraduate career at Azusa Pacific University, where she received her Bachelors degree in Interpersonal/Organizational Communications. During this time, Jillian was involved in volunteer work with local organizations, such as The Peach Factory, The National Suicide Hotline, and Azusa University’s Mexico Outreach program. Finding a lot of meaning in community outreach, Jillian decided to go back to school to pursue a career in Psychology. Shortly after graduating, Jillian moved to Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Jillian then relocated to Chicago to attend Roosevelt University, earning a Master’s in Clinical Professional Psychology and graduating with honors.
During her graduate training at Roosevelt University, Jillian completed a Master’s Practicum at Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago. There, she received training and gained experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds, and cultivated her skills in therapy sessions with individuals, couples, and families, supervising Bachelor’s-level interns, conducting weekly group counseling sessions, and leading seminars for Chicago Public Schools and Family Works Inc.
After completing her Masters’ degree, Jillian joined Cornerstone as a fulltime therapist, where she fine-tuned her skill set and began conducting up to 30 therapy hours per week. Throughout the next few years, Jillian facilitated intake coordination, distributed assessments, developed treatment plans, provided individual, couple, group, and family psychotherapy, and coordinated services with other facilities and providers. Jillian also worked collaboratively with other team members, teachers, school administrators, the Department of Child Services, and other community mental health agencies.
Jillian has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various mental health settings. Her interests include, but are not limited to, working with individuals struggling with anxiety or panic issues, relationship/communication issues, depression, obsessive-compulsive behavior, trauma, self-esteem/body image concerns, perfectionistic issues, parenting difficulties, and stressors related to life transitions.
Jillian decided to leave the non-profit sector in December of 2015 and has since found a new home with The Aspen Center’s team. Jillian is excited to continue her work helping people increase their mental and emotional well-being.
