Her Story
About Natalie
Natalie A. Lane is an experienced social service worker, therapist, and counselor based in the Greater Chicago area. She currently provides clinical support at Trilogy, a nonprofit organization, as well as part-time counseling for youth and families through Chicago Integrated Health. Her work focuses on supporting individuals facing mental health challenges, substance use concerns, and co-occurring disorders, with a strong emphasis on individualized care and trauma-informed practice. With more than three decades of experience in child welfare and behavioral health services, Natalie has served in a wide range of roles across government and community systems. Her background includes work with Cook County Juvenile Detention Center as a youth development specialist, crisis intervention and placement stabilization services and a case worker within child welfare, and Juvenile Justice Specialist role at the Illinois Youth Center. She has also worked as a human services case manager with the Illinois Department of Human Services, building a career centered on rehabilitation, youth development, and family support. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Roosevelt University and a Master of Arts in Psychology from National Louis University. She is a member of Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority and co-founded the nonprofit Army Brats Give Back, which supports military veterans with housing, food, and resources. She is also an author of works exploring therapy and family dynamics, and she credits her success to the influence of mentors and a lifelong commitment to integrity, service, and helping others heal and thrive.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Natalie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a mindset that failure is not an option and to a strong work ethic that has kept me consistently moving forward. I was shaped by my mother, who modeled compassion, service, and resilience, and I have been guided by influential mentors including my mother, grandmother, Natasha Allen, Donna Playton, Esther Wilson, and Ruthie Reed. Their examples of strength and dedication have deeply influenced my path, along with my work as an author of Beyond The Couch: How Therapy Changes Lives and Familiar Strangers: Learning to Accept the Family, both available on Amazon and in bookstores.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to do everything to the best of my ability. I’ve learned that actions speak louder than words, and consistently showing up with excellence, integrity, and follow-through builds trust and opens doors over time.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to be patient with yourself and allow room for growth as you learn and develop your skills. Focus on doing the best you can in each opportunity, and let your work speak through your consistency and effort. I also encourage you to remain respectful of your elders and those who have paved the way, as there is much to learn from their experience and guidance.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now center around resources, revenue, and funding. Access to adequate support systems and financial resources can directly impact the quality and reach of services we provide, while limited funding often creates barriers to serving those who need help most. At the same time, there are strong opportunities for growth through expanding awareness, increasing community partnerships, and developing sustainable revenue streams that allow for better accessibility and long-term impact.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my work and personal life, I value integrity, keeping my word, punctuality, and honesty as the foundation of how I operate and interact with others. I also believe in showing up consistently and doing what I say I will do. In my personal life, I am currently working with Trilogy, a non-profit organization, and I also support Army Brats Give Back, which is dedicated to serving Army veterans by providing food, housing, and essential resources.
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