Margo Cohn Pactanac, LCSW, PMH-C

About Margo:

Becoming a parent, or trying to, can shake your world in ways you never expected. It can be joyful, anxiety provoking, overwhelming, or lonely, sometimes all in the same day. As a therapist with a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C), I offer a calm, compassionate place for you to land. Whether you’re coping with pregnancy or postpartum challenges, birth trauma, fertility issues, pregnancy loss, or trying to find yourself again after becoming a parent, my goal is to support you with warmth and empathy.

I also work with adults 18 and older navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship stress, and major life transitions.  If you’re feeling stuck or unsure how to move forward, you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’ve been practicing since 2011, and the heart of my work is creating a space where you can show up exactly as you are, without judgment.

My approach is collaborative and strengths based. I draw from DBT, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness practices, but I always tailor my work to you: your story, your goals, your speed.  My practice is rooted in social justice and affirming care for all identities.  Before I became a therapist, I spent 10 years as a photojournalist. That work taught me the profound value of witnessing people’s lives with curiosity, presence, and deep respect, a philosophy that continues to guide my therapeutic work today.

Professional Background & Training:

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois and hold a Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) from Postpartum Support International.  I earned my Master of Social Work through graduate studies at both the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work and Portland State University in 2011. I began my social work career in Portland, Oregon working in community mental health and group practice.  I returned to the Chicago area in 2017 to continue working as a therapist in private practice.

When I’m not in session, you can find me hanging out with my family, on a yoga mat, enjoying the outdoors, or laughing at a good comedy.