Lita Simanis
Bio
Lita Simanis is a Perinatal Mental Health Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Chicago, Illinois. An expert in maternal mental health, she is dedicated to pioneering comprehensive care solutions for perinatal mood disorders.
Lita has been the Coordinator of the Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorder Program since 2014. Based in Illinois, she collaborated with Ascension Illinois/Alexian Brothers staff and other stakeholders to develop the state's first perinatal intensive outpatient program, which opened in August 2015.
Lita's extensive professional experience includes her role as a Perinatal Crisis Counselor for the Illinois Mom’s Line and serving on the Board of Directors for Postpartum Support International. As the co-coordinator of the Postpartum Depression Illinois Alliance, she has lectured on perinatal mood disorders at local, state, national, and international levels. She collaborated with stakeholders to develop the state's first perinatal intensive outpatient program, which opened in August 2015. This extensive background translates into a rich, evidence-based foundation for the care she provides, allowing her to offer well-rounded, effective support to her clients.
Lita's approach to care is rooted in a strengths-based and trauma-informed perspective. She believes in transforming distress into positive growth. Her sessions incorporate mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the philosophy of stoicism, offering a supportive and respectful environment for clients. While Lita specializes in working with parents and parents-to-be, she welcomes all adults and couples, collaborating on treatment plans that facilitate the lives they seek for themselves and their loved ones.
Her advocacy work includes providing expert testimony for Illinois House Bill 1764, which considers perinatal mood disorders as factors in sentencing. Lita also contributes to the Illinois Department of Public Health Maternal Mortality Review Committee on Violent Deaths and helped develop the Perinatal Mental Health Certification exam.
Message to new parents
Practices in
Appointments available
Identifies as
Accepts
Client testimonials
"My birth experience was traumatic and I struggled with what happened for years. Lita has helped me significantly work through and process my experience." - Partum Health client, February 2023
"It was great speaking with Lita. She sent some really interesting articles for me to read after our appointment also." - Partum Health client, April 2023
"I have seen many therapists in my life and Lita raises to the top. She is an incredible mix of caring, compassionate, extremely knowledgable, approachable, and action-orientated. We have previously used narrative therapy and parts work to engage in some of my healing goals that have really helped." - Partum Health client, November 2023
"Lita has been a wonderful support to me through my pregnancy and helped me manage anxiety well. She gave me great tools to use when I felt anxious that I still use now. She also helped me mentally prepare for labor and motherhood. I will continue to work with her. Thank you!" - Partum Health client, April 2024
"I felt heard and supported right away!" - Partum Health client, April 2024
"Admittedly, I am someone who probably should have been in therapy a lot more over the years but never felt comfortable seeking help. Overall, however, I would say my first appointment with Lita was comfortable and has already helped." - Partum Health client, May 2024
