Finding Meaning Through Story: Meet Andrea Farfan, MA

By Tiffany Todd, LCSW

We sat down with Andrea Farfan, MA, to learn more about her path into the therapy field, her creative and multicultural approach, and the deep belief that therapy can be more than just talk. What emerged was a powerful story of healing, purpose, and the importance of honoring each person’s unique experience.

IVPC: What led you to become a therapist?

Andrea: I actually started my own therapy when I was 13. My dad had been deported to Guatemala, and that experience changed my life. I feel like getting access to counseling at that age was a privilege. It helped me navigate something incredibly painful, and I wanted to be able to offer that kind of support to others—especially to kids and adolescents who might not always have access to those services. That’s where my passion began, and it’s only grown from there.

IVPC: Tell us a little about your professional background.

Andrea: I started out working in child care centers because I knew I eventually wanted to work with kids as a therapist. I got my undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development from the University of Illinois. Then I went on to earn my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern.

During my internship at InnerVoice, I primarily worked with adults. While I initially envisioned focusing on children, I found myself drawn to the depth and diversity of adult work, and it quickly became something I deeply enjoy. I also interned at the Counseling Center of Illinois, where I worked with clients around substance use, domestic violence, and conducted court-appointed mental health evaluations. That experience really broadened my understanding of people’s stories and the systems that impact them.

IVPC: What populations or concerns do you feel most passionate about?

Andrea: I feel especially connected to people of color, children and adolescents, and individuals working through grief and trauma. I love working with kids because it challenges me to be creative—and creativity is something I bring into all of my work, whether I’m working with adults or children. I’ve found that creative interventions often lead to breakthroughs that traditional talk therapy sometimes doesn’t reach.

IVPC: How would you describe your therapeutic style?

Andrea: I’d say I’m very person-centered and I take a multicultural approach. I always want to be mindful that every client comes from a unique background, and their experience is not the same as mine. That awareness stays at the forefront of my work. I also use creative tools—like play therapy, drawing, or collage—especially when working with kids or when talk therapy alone doesn’t quite fit. I had an adult client once create a grief collage, and it brought out emotions they hadn’t been able to express verbally.

IVPC: What do you believe is most important in the therapist-client relationship?

Andrea: Open communication, for sure. I think both the therapist and the client need to be open for growth to happen. We conceptualize a lot as therapists, but it’s important to communicate those insights in an empathetic way. Clients should also feel safe enough to share what’s really going on. That back-and-forth honesty creates the space where change can happen.

IVPC: What can clients expect when working with you?

Andrea: A lot of empathy, a lot of listening, and a willingness to adapt to their needs. I try to be flexible with where someone is at and what they’re looking for in therapy. I want people to feel heard and seen.

IVPC: What role does self-care play in your work, and how do you support clients in building it?

Andrea: Self-care plays a huge role. Without it, our mental health can really start to deteriorate, and then it affects how we show up for others, too. I encourage clients to try at least one consistent self-care activity each week—something they genuinely enjoy. It doesn’t have to be what social media tells you self-care should look like. It can be something small but meaningful.

Personally, I love writing. It helps me slow down and make sense of my thoughts. Moving my body also helps, whether that’s walking, stretching, or just standing up after sitting too long. Those little things add up.

IVPC: Is there a piece of advice you find yourself returning to with clients?

Andrea: Yes—“You are not your thoughts or emotions.” I see so many people tie their identity to anxiety or sadness or self-critical thoughts. But those experiences don’t define who you are. You are more than that.

IVPC: What do you enjoy most about being a therapist?

Andrea: Getting to know people and hearing their stories. Yes, we’re addressing mental health concerns, but it’s really about connection. It’s about understanding someone’s lived experience and working with them from that place of empathy.

IVPC: What do you hope clients take away from your time together?

Andrea: I hope they feel safe—emotionally, psychologically, and relationally. That’s the biggest thing. That what they say stays in the room. That they won’t be judged. I want clients to know they can show up exactly as they are.

IVPC: What would you say to someone who’s never been to therapy before—or who’s hesitant to start?

Andrea: Find the therapist that fits you best. You don’t have to stick with the first therapist you meet. And also, therapy isn’t just one thing. It doesn’t have to be sitting on a couch and talking. It can be art. It can be movement. There are so many different paths toward healing.

IVPC: Do you have a personal mantra or philosophy that guides your work?

Andrea: There’s a quote I really love: “The mind is the key, the heart is the door, the soul is the corridor, and the universe is the destination.” That speaks to me—about wholeness, balance, and the journey of becoming.

IVPC: Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you or your work?

Andrea: I want people to know I’m especially open to working with multicultural communities, immigrant families, and the Hispanic/Latine population. As a Latina, I bring those lived experiences into my work and want to make therapy feel accessible and affirming for those communities.

We’re so grateful to Andrea for sharing her story, her insight, and her heart with us. Her warmth, creativity, and deep respect for each client’s unique background make her a valuable part of the InnerVoice team. If you’re interested in working with Andrea, you can learn more or request an appointment here.

Interview edited for length and clarity

InnerVoice Psychotherapy and Consultation is located in Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL and provides telehealth services for anyone living in the state of IL.

Book with Andrea here.