Leena Larrance, BA, MA Intern

Master’s-Level Clinical Professional Counseling Intern 

Hello — I’m Leena Larrance, a master’s-level Clinical Professional Counseling Intern providing in-person therapy at Fash Counseling’s Glen Ellyn and Bolingbrook offices. I am currently pursuing my graduate degree in Clinical Professional Counseling at Benedictine University. 

I work with children, adolescents, young adults, and families navigating anxiety, emotional challenges, life transitions, relationships, self-esteem, behavioral concerns, and personal growth.  I have a particular interest in working with children and adolescents, helping them feel comfortable expressing themselves, better understand their emotions, and develop healthy ways to cope with the challenges they are experiencing. 

I believe therapy should be a place where you can be yourself without judgment—and I  understand that this looks different for everyone. 

For some clients, conversation comes naturally. For others, connection happens through play,  creativity, movement, games, or shared activities. Whether we’re sitting and talking, playing cards, creating something, or sitting on the floor, I want our work together to feel comfortable,  authentic, and meaningful to you. 

Leena at a Glance 

I work best with clients navigating: 

• Anxiety and stress
• Emotional regulation and coping challenges 
• Self-esteem and confidence 
• Childhood and adolescent concerns 
• Behavioral and emotional challenges 
• Social and peer relationships 
• Identity development and personal growth 
• Life transitions and adjustment 
• Relationship and interpersonal concerns 

I offer: 

• Individual therapy for children, adolescents, and young adults 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• In-person therapy in Glen Ellyn 
• In-person therapy in Bolingbrook 
• A warm, collaborative, and individualized therapeutic approach 
• Developmentally appropriate interventions for children and teens 
• Creative and play-based interventions when appropriate 
• Mindfulness and emotional-awareness strategies 

My Approach to Therapy 

I believe therapy begins with connection. Before meaningful change can happen, clients need to feel safe, respected, and genuinely understood. My first priority is creating an environment where you can talk about your experiences without feeling judged, pressured, or expected to show up in a particular way. 

My approach is person-centered and strengths-based. This means I meet clients where they are while recognizing the strengths, experiences, and resources they already possess. I believe clients are the experts on their own lives, and my role is to walk alongside them as they develop insight,  explore their experiences, build new skills, and work toward their goals. 

I also incorporate mindfulness, emotional-awareness strategies, and cognitive-behavioral techniques when appropriate. 

Most importantly, I don’t believe meaningful therapy has to look one particular way. Sometimes therapy involves talking. Sometimes it may involve playing a game, creating something,  laughing, moving around, or simply having someone beside you while you work through something difficult. 

Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, I adapt our work to the individual person in front of me. Together, we can explore what is happening, recognize patterns, develop practical coping skills, and work toward greater confidence and self-understanding. 

Who I Work With

I enjoy working with clients across different stages of life, with a particular interest in children,  adolescents, and their families. 

I support: 

• Children experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, or developmental challenges • Adolescents and teens navigating anxiety, self-esteem, peer relationships, emotional  overwhelm, identity, or other challenges 
• Young adults navigating independence, relationships, identity development, stress, and  life transitions 
• Families and caregivers seeking greater understanding, stronger relationships, and ways  to better support a child or adolescent 

When working with younger clients, I value collaboration with parents and caregivers when appropriate. Children and adolescents do not exist separately from the important relationships in their lives, and I believe supporting the family can be an important part of supporting the child. 

Clinical Focus & Areas of Support 

My areas of clinical interest include: 

• Anxiety and stress 
• Emotional regulation 
• Self-esteem and confidence 
• Childhood and adolescent concerns 
• Behavioral challenges 
• Social and peer relationships 
• Life transitions 
• Identity development 
• Relationship concerns 
• Coping skills 
• Personal growth and self-understanding 

Play & Creative Approaches to Therapy 

I have a particular interest in incorporating play and creative interventions into therapy with children and adolescents. 

Children do not always have the words to explain what they are thinking or feeling. Play and creativity can provide another way for younger clients to communicate, explore emotions,  practice coping skills, build confidence, and make sense of their experiences. 

This may mean incorporating games, art, creative activities, movement, or other developmentally appropriate approaches into our work together.

My goal is to create a therapeutic environment where children can feel comfortable being themselves while developing emotional awareness and practical tools they can use both inside and outside of therapy. 

In-Person Therapy in Glen Ellyn & Bolingbrook 

I provide in-person therapy at Fash Counseling’s Glen Ellyn and Bolingbrook, Illinois offices. 

Offering therapy from both locations allows me to work with children, teens, young adults, and families throughout the western and southwestern suburbs of Chicago. 

Wherever we meet, my goal is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where you or your child can feel comfortable showing up exactly as you are. 

My Philosophy 

I don’t believe therapy has to look a certain way to be meaningful. 

I believe therapy is most effective when it feels genuine, collaborative, and productive for you— not when you are trying to fit into what you think therapy is supposed to look like. 

This is especially important when working with children and adolescents. Supporting a young person also means recognizing the family and relationships around them. When appropriate, I  value collaborating with parents and caregivers to build greater understanding, strengthen relationships, and help carry the skills developed in therapy into everyday life. 

My goal is to meet you where you are and build a therapeutic experience around what helps you feel connected, understood, and ready to grow. 

Whether that means talking, playing, creating, exploring, or simply taking things one step at a time, I am excited to begin this therapeutic journey with you and discover together what feels genuine, meaningful, and productive for you.