"Sometimes all we need is a little support and we find our way..." my practice includes working with Individuals, couples and families. Frequently people come to me for help when they are encountering difficulties. These difficulties can be small issues while other times they may be more significant and complex. Either way, I can assist you to begin to make the positve changes you desire. This may include helping you develop better skills and techniques. Other times it may be to help you begin the healing process to address past trauma and emotional pain. I am here to help.

"What we cannot hold, we cannot process. What we cannot process, we cannot transform. What we cannot transform haunts us. It takes another mind to help us heal ours. It takes other minds and hearts to help us grow and re-grow the capacities we need to transform suffering." Joseph Bobrow. Whatever your suffering, whether it's the legacy of trauma, or the challenges of our modern world, it can be held, processed and transformed.

Welcome to my practice where you will find a supportive atmosphere as you work through life's problems and challenges. Using conventional and alternative approaches, I evaluate each client's strengths and develop a framework through which change can take place. Over the past 20 years, I have found that the individual is the best judge of his/her own needs and wants. The problem is how to find that "inner voice" that each person can trust. I consider myself a change agent who can assist the individual to trust in themselves.

Your relationship with family, friends, work and, of course, yourself is of the most importance! I believe there is no good reason for you to be alone with grief, insecurity, low self-esteem, shame, loneliness, fear, worry, and anxiety. Reaching-out for help could be the most courageous gift you could give yourself. I would be honored to help you through these struggles. I would like to give you the very best individual and/or couples psychotherapy. I do not offer a "band aid" approach to therapy, meaning, the process to feeling better is one that requires a confidential, authentic, and meaningful relationship with me.

Choosing to engage in therapy can be an overwhelming and intimidating experience and I am here to support you through this decision to get help and move forward. In my work as a professional counselor I strive to always have an empathetic and non-judgmental approach to helping my clients reach the positive changes that they are seeking. I use various therapeutic strategies, tailored to my client's needs and strengths. I greatly enjoy being a therapist and feel that it is an honor to get to help and truly understand others.

My philosophy to treatment is to "test first so there are no questions later!" This means the first step is to identify all the major factors contributing to your problem, as well as any smaller problems that could be having an impact. Often, what seems to be one problem is really something else entirely. This diagnostic clarity is accomplished by administering a battery of tests personalized to your unique presentation. By identifying specific areas in need of intervention, the rate of recovery increases and much more targeted treatments can be implemented.

I believe in creating a comfortable, compassionate, and supportive environment for my clients. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and have experience working with many populations including, adolescents, court-mandated individuals, families and groups. I have clinical experience in agency settings, therapeutic schools, community centers and private practice. My professional interests and experience include issues related to depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, anger control, stress, self-esteem, communication, relationship issues, and grief and loss.

Maria’s clinical focus includes emerging adults, children, adolescents and families. Her approach focuses on expanding self-awareness and facilitating change. She incorporates evidence based mindfulness practices as well as mainstream psychotherapy approaches. Additionally, she utilizes an experiential Game Consulting method. Her multicultural background and passion for integral psychology allows her to incorporate progressive methods that are tailored to meet the needs of clients from diverse backgrounds. Maria provides therapy in Russian and English.

Mari Richko is the owner /founder of Center for Authentic Living in Park Ridge IL. She has been working in the holistic health field for 25 years applying her background in Body Centered Psychotherapy and bodywork therapies to her work. Mari is well known in the addiction community for her work in enhancing recovery for those suffering from substance abuse, eating disorders, bipolar, anxiety, trauma, other mental and physical aliments. She incorporates mindfulness, body awareness, IFS( Internal Family Systems), and Traditional Chinese Medicine to facilitate a connection with our inner experience from a place of curiosity.

I graduated from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology with a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology in 2000. I have worked with teens, young women and couples facing daily and life challenges. It is my goal to provide a safe, comfortable, non-judgmental space for clients to fully express their struggles and to help navigate challenges. My special areas of focus are anxiety, depression, parenting issues, stress management, women's issues, spirituality/Christian counseling, marriage issues and confidence building.

Growing up with a physical, developmental or intellectual disability can present unforeseen challenges during adulthood. Once teenagers transition into adulthood, not only do they leave behind support services at school but they also begin a transition into more independent living at home, in a CILA or group home, or at an assisted living facility. Adults and their families can experience confusion and anxiety as they search for new resources to help them cope with the many challenges of adulthood.

Sloan has found himself to be most effective working with people who want to feel happier and more satisfied with their past, current, or future circumstances. Through evaluating the purpose of various thoughts, feelings, and behaviors we can work together to find root causes for dissatisfaction in day-to-day life. The next step is to explore opportunities for changing our thinking and behavior to impact our state of mind. The final step is to put this into action. Along the way we can examine barriers to completing these tasks on our journey to a more fulfilling life.

Couples therapy has been found to be least effective of all therapies, thus it is important for clients to seek out therapists who are versed in the latest research on couples and marital therapy. Besides having a knowledge base specific to couples work and extensive experience working with couples, I am trained in addiction work which has a strong comorbidity with couples issues. The unique couples approach I co-created with my wife, called Couples Synergy, works with couples over a 90 day period, and is not offered anywhere else in the country. Schedule your next appointment with our certified counselors in Schaumburg IL

My ultimate goal is to always help a client develop skills and insight needed to achieve a meaningful and fulfilling life. I engage clients in therapy using an integrative and holistic approach while providing a warm, calm, safe, and comfortable environment to support clients in their self-exploration and progress towards reaching their goals.

My focus is on helping people improve their lives. I feel healing is a combination of art and science that encompasses therapist, individuals, couples and families. I have 25 years of experience in resolving anxiety, stress and mood disorders including relationship issues, eating disorders, milestones (death, divorce) and chronic illness.

Hi! Thank you for reviewing my practice information; I have worked for many years helping individuals and families. Over the years, I have often heard that my clients are tired, lost and just feel empty. And many times, there's also marital or family conflict. I, also, work with clients that feel that their work is no longer satisfying or enjoyable. Let's talk about all these issues, and find some solutions and start feeling hopeful and excited about your life again. My office hours are flexible; I try to see clients right away. I wish you the best, Maryann

How did you end up here? Are you struggling with relationship problems, school, finances, anxiety, depression, or all of the above? Perhaps you've developed addictive ways to cope with problems, and you want a better solution. Fortunately, research suggests that therapy/counseling with a professional works! Clients achieve ultimate happiness when they change how they think, feel and behave. When you change yourself, you will find that your relationships, mood, and overall life circumstances dramatically improve!

We all have the capacity for meaningful change and are deserving of a life of fulfillment. Sometimes we find that it can be difficult to make those changes and engage in daily living in ways that feel good to us. Barriers can show up in our lives in many ways. Maybe you have concerns with your relationships; find your mood is difficult to manage; are engaging in thoughts or behaviors that are no longer serving you; or having difficulty recognizing the positive within you. I am committed to providing a non-judgmental, compassionate and collaborative space for us to address what is getting in the way of the life that you deserve!

I am passionate about helping individuals, couples and families both understand their challenges and create a pathway to healing. I believe the first step in this process is to find the right therapist and establish a trusting, honest, and mutually respectful relationship. I meet clients where they are and help them gain skills in such areas as emoitonal regulation, stress management, communication, parenting, problem solving and relaxation techniques.

I have over twenty years of experience working with children, families, couples, individuals, and groups. I have ample experience working Latinx clients, immigrant families, and multiracial couples. If you suffer issues such as: depression, anxiety, or relational issues ( couples problems, mother/father and children disagreements, siblings fights) give yourself the opportunity to improve your relationships. For years, I have been working with children who have suffered traumatic events and their families. I am an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Approved Supervisor, and I supervise Therapy students.