Therapists in Chicago, IL
Jasmina Bourgeois
Counselor, MA, LCPC, NCC
Verified Verified
Chicago, IL 60603 (Online Only)
Waitlist for new clients
It takes courage to try something new when the old ways of navigating emotional landscapes and important relationships fail us and keep us stuck. None of us goes through life unharmed, so naturally we develop self-protective patterns to cope with the pain. Together, in a safe, warm, and judgment-free space, let us explore and process the underlying sources of your troubling symptoms and unhelpful behaviors at a pace that feels right for you. By going deep we will ensure long-term results. As you come to understand how your innermost self has had to adapt to the environment, the new ways of relating to oneself and others will emerge.
It takes courage to try something new when the old ways of navigating emotional landscapes and important relationships fail us and keep us stuck. None of us goes through life unharmed, so naturally we develop self-protective patterns to cope with the pain. Together, in a safe, warm, and judgment-free space, let us explore and process the underlying sources of your troubling symptoms and unhelpful behaviors at a pace that feels right for you. By going deep we will ensure long-term results. As you come to understand how your innermost self has had to adapt to the environment, the new ways of relating to oneself and others will emerge.
See more therapy options for Chicago
Nearby Adoption Therapists Searches for Chicago
- Berwyn
- Brookfield
- Elmwood Park
- Evergreen Park
- Forest Park
- Lakeview
- Lincoln Park
- Lincolnwood
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- River Forest
- Riverside
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.