Narrative Therapists in 60169

Thank you for taking the time to read about EAL. We believe you have the right to live your best life; to be your most empowered and authentic self. We believe that everyone eventually seeks meaning and purpose in their life, and finding and living this ultimate goal will bring long lasting joy and true happiness. We are a unique holistic practice that focuses on mind, body, and spirit, integrating Psychology, Spirituality, and Metaphysics to get to the root of your emotional issues that block you from experiencing peace and happiness. We help young children, teens, adults, couples, and families to help open and guide them on a path to living and enjoying life fully. We also hold retreats, seminars, and trainings (CEUs) to support the needs of our clients and our community.

I have over 20 years of experience and have worked in a wide variety of treatment settings, including in-home counseling, residential treatment, and outpatient community mental health centers as well as private practice. I help clients develop individual strategies and goals to move forward through obstacles such as anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, trauma, adjustment issues, and difficulty connecting to a partner or family member to improve the functioning and relationships in their lives.

If you are struggling with any mental, emotional, physical, or relationship issues, or feeling that there has got to be more to life than what you are experiencing, I would be privileged to help you on your journey to a place of contentment and peace. In addition to my counseling and law degrees, I am also a certified divorce and custody mediator, personal trainer, and holistic nutritionist. My varied background gives me unique insight into many aspects of one's life and relationships, allowing me to provide practical skills and tools to help you move from where you are to where you would like to be.

If you have found yourself feeling disconnected from yourself, those around you, or the parts of your world that used to bring you joy, it can feel hopeless when that connection doesn't return on it's own. Maybe you've just experienced trauma, feel stuck in your life, burnt out, or lost. You're not alone; finding the right therapist to support you in your journey back to your authentic self is the first step.

As a Clinical Psychologist in practice for over 25 years, I specialize working with adults working through the barriers that keep them stuck in unproductive patterns that limit their life potential. Hardships, losses, and traumas often create beliefs that are self-limiting. These beliefs often stand in the way of the life you want to live. Counseling can be a powerful pathway toward discovering and developing your unique and whole self. Counseling starts with facing the pain that prompts you to seek help. Facing the starting point of anger, anxiety, depression, loss, or relationship pain leads to the work of therapy.

Christina N. Garcia, LPC, has an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She has experience working with children ages 10+, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She believes therapy must be tailored to each unique individual and she not only respects but embraces diversity. With warmth and authenticity, she strives to provide safe, nonjudgmental, and collaborative support to individuals throughout the therapeutic process. Christina believes no child or person of any age is “bad” or “broken” and that all individuals have strengths, gifts and the ability to make desired positive changes.

Brittany Lafin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 13 years of experience utilizing the pillars of wellness to help clients improve daily functioning and reaching long term goals. She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, life changes, marital issues, substance issues, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorders (I and II), relationship issues, and more.

I hold the strong belief that everyone has the right to be heard with an open mind, regardless of their background or circumstances. I see my role as someone to help you understand yourself, ideally to gain insight and healing. As a clinical social worker, my training has shown me that you, the client, will tell me what you need. Some people need support for a single issue, others need to sort out their past, yet others to plan for their future. We will often find that issues are connected, and strive to put the pieces together.

No one should be expected to face life's challenges alone. My experience has proven that therapy is most effective when it is collaborative and tailored to the unique needs of the client. Together, we will develop and equip you with personalized strategies to understand and break free of the challenges that prevent you from living your authentic life. I work with children, adolescents, and adults who want to create a better life for themselves.

My goal is to help you discover how you can overcome your personal struggles and resolve the issues that are keeping you stuck so that you can live the life you envision for yourself. It's your time now! It's your time to live the life that you are destined to live. It would honor me to serve you now.

I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship with an empathetic approach. My goal is to provide a safe environment for people to learn about themselves, begin to love who they are, and overcome social, emotional, economical, and vocational struggles while reaching their full potential in life. I believe in assisting clients in developing a toolbox of coping skills to use at their disposal. I work collaboratively to identify your strengths and find positive ways to cope with challenges.

Sometimes life seems overwhelming. Sometimes relationships are difficult. Sometimes an outside voice to help navigate difficult times and relationships can give a different perspective and give support. I am a clinically licensed therapist and have been working with individuals and couples for the past 15 years in helping them navigate through difficult times and situations to a place of fulfillment. Whether working to strengthen your relationship strategies, or helping you to understand your special worth to the world around you, I can help guide you and get you on your way to a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

I believe that my clients are the experts when it comes to their lives. This means that my clients have their own standards for what is deemed mentally, emotionally and physically healthy; the ultimate goal being to live as happily and authentically as possible. My hope is that you're willing to share your ideas of what a satisfying and authentic life looks like to you. Yes, people tend to grow through pain and discomfort, but this doesn't have to be lonely or excruciating. I'm here to walk your path with you and help be the light to guide you through. You can expect some humor to bring a bit of levity and fun to the journey, too.

Have you found yourself struggling recently, with an inability to “get back on track”? Do you feel out of control, lost, or stuck? My goal as a therapist is to help you develop insight into your own thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. We will work together to help increase your awareness into your personal motivations, goals, and strengths to help you make positive changes – whether they be big or small. As your therapist, I want to help equip you with the tools necessary to take control of your own journey and to live your best possible life.

Well here we are! You’re here looking for help and it’s exhausting . I know, I’ve been there! Who doesn’t want to feel better, happier, and more in charge of their life? I want you to make the dreams of your life a reality and we can help. Feeling stressed, depressed, overwhelmed, or pain from life’s experiences can rob you of your joy and damage relationships. One size does not fit all. Your story is unique and your approach to change should be too. Drawing from a variety of approaches, I help you work through those things you want to change.