Highland Woods resident Alison L. Andrews, MSW, LCSW, has dedicated more than 20 years to supporting children, adolescents, and families through life’s challenges. She and her two sons, Aidan and Dylan, love living in this beautiful neighborhood and feel fortunate to call Highland Woods their home. 

Alison began her career as a school social worker, where she witnessed firsthand the growing mental health needs among students and families. With a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Go Illini!) and a Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, Alison brings both compassion and expertise to her work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, she made the courageous decision to open her private practice—Rise and Shine Therapy Services—to address the increasing demand for care. What started as a one-woman effort quickly grew into a thriving practice of five licensed clinicians who now serve children, teens, adults, and families across the Fox Valley and beyond.

At the heart of Rise and Shine is a commitment to creating a safe, calming, and welcoming environment. From soft music in the waiting area to whimsical décor, snacks, and water, Alison designed the office to make clients feel at ease during what can often be emotional conversations. Every therapist at the practice has extensive experience working with children and adolescents in school settings—but their expertise extends well beyond that, supporting adults, couples, and families through every stage of life. Rise and Shine Therapy offers both in-person and telehealth sessions. The team provides support for anxiety, depression, autism, trauma, and relationship issues, using evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each client. Their clinicians also bring unique strengths to the table, including multi-lingual services in Hindi, Urdu, and Burmese.

Confidentiality and trust are foundational to the practice. Alison emphasizes that “therapy is built on confidentiality and respect. If a client and therapist cross paths in public, we never initiate a greeting to protect privacy—but we’ll always reciprocate a hello if the client chooses.”

Rise and Shine Therapy also gives back to the community through free events like Crafting Brighter Tomorrows, where creativity and connection come together through art projects. The practice will also host educational sessions at the nearby Gail Borden Library, offering insight into mental health topics and fostering community understanding.

For Alison, the reward is simple yet profound: “The best thing about therapy is watching positive change unfold—seeing people grow, find peace, and begin to truly shine.”

Rise and Shine Therapy is located at 81 S. McLean Blvd., Suite C, South Elgin. 

Contact Alison at: alison@riseandshinetherapy.org.

630-596-3688