About Mindset Counseling Services
If you’ve ever felt anxious, overwhelmed, or even guilty about money, you’re not alone.
For many of us, money is more than numbers. It’s tied to family, culture, responsibility, and expectations. And that can make it feel complicated, emotional, and sometimes heavy.
I understand this not just as a therapist, but through lived experience. I’ve seen how financial stress can impact mental health, relationships, and the way we show up in our lives. And I’ve also seen how our emotions, upbringing, and cultural experiences shape the way we relate to money.
That’s why I created Mindset Counseling Services.
I wanted to offer a space to talk about both mental health and finances without shame, judgment, or pressure.
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Financial Social Worker, passionate about supporting individuals, couples, and families on their journey toward emotional well-being and financial stability.
I specialize in helping clients navigate financial stress, financial anxiety, and the emotional challenges connected to money. I am proudly listed in the Financial Social Worker Directory, a professional network of practitioners dedicated to financial therapy and supporting individuals seeking help with money-related concerns.
My career began in community-based home visiting programs, where I had the privilege of walking alongside families as they navigated parenting, relationships, and systemic challenges. That experience shaped the way I show up today, with empathy, respect, and a deep understanding of the real-life barriers people face.
As an immigrant from Mexico and the first person in my family to graduate from college, I understand what it feels like to build a life without a clear roadmap. Navigating new systems, expectations, and responsibilities can feel overwhelming, and those experiences continue to guide my work today.
My own financial journey is what led me to this work. Financial literacy isn’t something most of us are taught in school, and as adults, there aren’t many spaces where you can openly talk about money, especially without pressure, judgment, or a sales agenda. I found myself wanting the kind of guidance and support that simply didn’t exist at the time.
That experience is what inspired me to create the type of space I now offer to my clients, one where you can explore your relationship with money openly, honestly, and without shame. Through financial therapy, we can begin to understand the thoughts, emotions, and experiences that shape your financial life and work toward lasting, meaningful change.
As a bilingual and bicultural therapist, I offer services in both English and Spanish, creating a space that is culturally aware, supportive, and free of judgment for clients across Illinois.
Meet Karla Crespo,
