Therapists in Northfield, IL

I have been working for 20+ years with adolescents, young adults, and adults. I am a certified alcohol and drug counselor. I also focus on depression, anxiety, ADHD, adolescent turmoil, adoption issues, healthy parenting, and family/relationship issues. My passion also includes working with young adults and adults on exploring personal growth and life management issues. I have created an alternative to suspension program in numerous local high schools.

Sometimes even day to day activities can feel overwhelming. Whether you are a child just starting school, an adolescent going through changes, a young adult navigating being on your own for the first time, or a parent who is struggling with understanding your child, know that you are never alone. Taking that first step in asking for help and seeking out therapy is understandably difficult, even if it isn’t the first time, but can make a world of difference. Therapy is a way to better understand you and/or your child’s experiences, while also creating healthy coping skills, boundaries, and sense of self.

As a firm believer in the power of genuine human connection, the dynamic between my clients and I is of my highest priority. A professor and mentor once said, “The question should not be, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ But rather, ‘What has happened to you?’” This quote shapes every conversation I hold with my clients. I am dedicated to breaking down the stigma of traditional talk therapy, particularly for young folks, by empowering my clients to rewrite their own narrative and understand their neurological roots, to become the best version of themself, for themself, their relationships, and their future.

I believe that progress in therapy should be a collaborative endeavor in a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere. Therapy with my clients is driven by their goals as we explore feelings, beliefs and relationships in a comfortable and confidential atmosphere. My practice specializes in anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, anger difficulties, and family relationships in children and adults. I utilize evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Solution-Focused Therapy as well as mindfulness-based practices to meet the specific needs of each client.

The human experience can be challenging at times. One can encounter situations leading to feeling powerless, in pain, or stuck. At times, this can look like an individual ruminating in the past or experiencing levels of depression. Or possibly, one can also be worried about the future or experiencing anxiety levels. I value the autonomy that people have and their ability to problem solve. Yet, I also acknowledge that a constructive and intentional space could provide efficiency for individuals maneuvering through various situations. As a counselor, I intend to help you within this space and support you on your healing journey.

The quote “Be you, love you, all ways, always” by Alex Elle has always resonated with me. I have noticed when clients are able to be kinder and more accepting of their own journey, when they're able to look at and respond to themselves, they would to their best friend in the same situation. My approach to therapy is meeting the client where they are at and making a personalized plan to minimize feelings of overwhelmedness to help them accomplish their goals. My therapeutic style is approachable, collaborative, and creative. I incorporate art, music, movement, and other imaginative exercises in my practice, empowering my clients.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years of experience helping people with a variety of presenting problems. Are anxiety, depression, health or relationship issues making you feel "stuck" and keeping you from living the life you want right now? I work collaboratively with my clients building on already existing strengths to help reach the goals of behavioral and emotional growth. My approach is integrative, and I find using cognitive/behavioral and family/systems thinking to be most effective in helping my clients.

As a therapist at a variety of school and wilderness therapy settings, I have been working with adolescents and young adults for over 10 years now. I recognize the unique challenges teenagers are faced with today and how to connect with them in a meaningful way. I also realize that starting therapy for the first time can be a daunting experience for anyone. Taking the first step to get help is often the most difficult. That's why it's my priority to make sure new clients are greeted with empathy, they feel heard and as though they're walking into a comfortable, non-judgmental environment.

People are not defined by the struggles that they face, but are a complex amalgamation of their environment, biology, and life experiences. My role as therapist extends beyond the goal of simply fixing problems. Through the development of a deep therapeutic relationship lies the opportunity to create meaning out of life's difficulties, heal from painful experiences, and develop greater insight into one's life. Psychotherapy can provide necessary support as lives shift through different phases of development, interpersonal relationships change, and as the environments in which we live, learn, and work evolve.

With over 20 years of experience, I develop genuine connections with my clients and partner with them toward success. "Our thinking has a direct impact on our actions, and our families have a direct impact on our thinking." I move to the core of your thinking and actions as you progress to live the life you "Say" you want to live. I have earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Doctorate of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Taking the first step to reach out for help takes courage. So often, people have lived with their struggles for years thinking it's just the way they will always feel. The good news is that is most definitely not the case. Support is available and connection is truly the key. At the heart of being human is our universal need for connection. My approach to therapy is relational and attachment based; meaning providing a safe and secure environment that allows for self expression is the starting point, the middle and the end.

I'm so glad you're here. Taking the first step in your mental health journey is brave and rewarding. At Crescent Moon Therapy, we passionately believe in empowering you to be your most complete self in order to be present for yourself and your family. The therapeutic process is a collaborative space aimed at supporting you in your healing to help you conquer your challenges and work to make positive change. As your therapist, we are with you in your journey to change.

I act as a facilitator of change for individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, various traumas, panic, grief/loss, stress, postpartum blues and depression, low self-esteem, and who are going through life transitions and have parenting challenges. I believe that human birthright is to experience joy in life. Individual journeys in healing and growth are the ways to achieve that.

I offer therapy to children, adolescents, and families. While I have experience with a variety of presenting concerns, I have a special interest in helping children and adolescents cope with anxiety, specific phobias, selective mutism, OCD, and family conflict. I am also dedicated to coaching parents on the best ways to support their children through anything life throws their way. Whatever the reason for coming to therapy, we will work together to identify the barriers that are maintaining your struggles and draw from your strengths to identify tools to help you through it!

If you are dealing with a relationship concern, a health issue, or you are caregiving for someone with a health issue, we can help. Living with a challenging relationship or health condition can make you feel like you've tried everything and nothing is working. You may feel like you're the only person who has faced your specific struggle and aren't sure what to do. Your friends and family try to help, but their feedback seems biased, or they don't understand.

Do you sometimes feel like you can't get beyond events that have happened in your life? Do you feel troubled or haunted by them despite your best efforts to move on? Are you withdrawn, unpredictable or irritable, releasing your feelings on the ones you love most. You may feel like you can't control your emotions or life. We work to help you understand what is happening in your brain and body that prevent you from digesting what has happened and to help you put it in the past, to move on. At The Juniper Center, we're helping you live your best life.

As a parent, you want your child to be happy and successful. You want a calm, peaceful home where everyone feels safe and comfortable. If your child is sad, irritable, withdrawn, isolating, not sleeping, complaining of stomachaches or headaches, not getting the grades you know they can achieve or they just don't seem like themselves, our team of child and adolescent therapists will do everything in their power to help your child get back on track and feel better. Our therapists are easy to relate to and they get good results.

I believe therapy takes on many forms and is not a cookie-cutter process. That is the sort of approach I take with individuals who took the courageous step toward therapy for their healing journey. I believe that therapy should be a collaborative and therapeutic space for you and your goals. You know yourself and your life more than I do, so I value hearing your story and providing you with support and tools to get you where you want to be. To better tailor to those goals, I focus on an integrative approach of using a systems, strengths-based, or client-centered approach to therapy

Life gets complicated. You may be trying all that you know how to do to make things better for yourself or for someone you love but have run out of energy, ideas or both. You may have a relationship with someone you love but just can't seem to get along. You may be a parent trying to best figure out how to help a child or teen who is having problems. You may feel burdened by sadness, fear or stress.Or, perhaps you have old wounds that seem to keep interfering with you creating the life you want.