Illiana Navarra-Bueno, MA, LLPC, is a Michigan-based therapist who is passionate about creating safe, affirming, and culturally responsive spaces for healing. She works with children (ages 5+), adults, couples, and families, offering trauma-informed and person-centered care that honors each client’s story and lived experience. Her approach is grounded in compassion, collaboration, and the belief that every person deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported.

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Illiana has a strong commitment to working with diverse and underserved communities, with a focus on LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and neurodivergent identities. She believes that counseling should reflect the whole person, including culture, identity, and environment, and she values partnering with clients to find meaningful and sustainable paths toward growth. In addition to individual and family work, she also collaborates with healthcare professionals to provide integrated care that supports clients’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

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Beyond her clinical practice, Illiana is a published researcher and co-author of the book chapter “Treatment Modalities and Evidence-Based Practice for LGBTQ People” in LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling: A Guide for Students and New Practitioners. She also has forthcoming articles in the flagship journals of the American Counseling Association. In addition, she has served in national leadership, including as a member of the Governing Council of the American Counseling Association (2022–2024). Illiana is equally passionate about advocating for her clients’ rights and breaking down barriers to care—so don’t be surprised if you see her at the Capitol lending her voice to the cause of accessible mental health for all.

In her personal life, Illiana finds joy in time spent with her family, friends, and two dogs. She enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring nature, and often recharges through music and singing. A lifelong athlete, she stays active through golf, running, walking, tennis, and volleyball. The lessons she has carried from athletics—teamwork, discipline, and perseverance—shape how she shows up as a therapist, fueling her commitment to empower clients both inside and outside the counseling room.