I know that making the decision to start therapy can feel hard, scary, and personal. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered as we work together toward meaningful change.
That is why I created Mood Haus Therapy.
Here, children, teens, and adults can feel safe to explore, express, and grow without judgment, finding the support needed to navigate life’s ups and downs.
Hi, i’m Cortnie Irby, msw, lcsw
I’ve worked in mental health since 2017, beginning as a supportive counselor for children, teens, and women who experienced domestic violence and sexual assault. I was certified through the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Since then, I’ve provided services in schools, hospitals, juvenile detention centers, correctional facilities, and private practice, offering both group and individual therapy to children, teens, and adults.
I currently work with clients ages 4-35 and specialize in trauma, childhood behavioral issues, OCD, and anxiety. With children, I often incorporate play therapy and sand tray therapy to help them express and process experiences in creative, developmentally appropriate ways, mixing Child-Centered, Adlerian, and Synergetic Play Therapy theories.
With adults, I draw from psychodynamic theories, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to explore patterns, build insight, and develop practical strategies for growth and healing.
As a therapist with lived experience with OCD, I have a deep understanding and empathy for what it’s like to manage intrusive thoughts, rituals, and anxiety. I provide Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT) for both kids and adults, helping clients face their fears and manage their obsessions and compulsions in a structured, supportive, and compassionate way.