Therapists in Evanston, IL

Choosing to pursue therapy can be a big step to take, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable with a stranger is no easy task. My goal is to meet you where you are. My work with you is focused on working collaboratively to explore your authentic self, using your strengths to help empower you to live a life that aligns with your needs and your values. My multicultural background allows me to be sensitive to and understand how culture and race can impact our mental health.

It's not always easy being human! We can be so hard on ourselves and life's inevitable stressors can make it challenging to prioritize what we know we need. Whether you're feeling unsteady about being or becoming a parent, anxious in a relationship or job, or have an overall sense of overwhelm, therapy can provide a container to sort through any and all of those experiences. I believe the most important part of therapy is being witnessed and truly heard. It is an honor to hold space for my clients.

I work with adults, adolescents and couples who are experiencing relationship issues, life transitions, anxiety and mood disorders, career issues, or a general feeling of being lost or stuck in life. I believe therapy is a powerful tool that can reveal and illuminate the workings of your inner world to help you better navigate your outer world. If you are willing to be brave and do the work, therapy can inspire and empower you to create the positive changes you need in order to live a life that is more aligned with your values and feels more in tune with your authentic self.

Thank you for visiting my psychology today page. I've been working with children, adults and couples for several years and through my experience I've developed beliefs about healthy development. 1.) Our experiences shape who we are and everyone deserves to be treated with patience, respect and dignity. We need a safe environment to open up and develop self-compassion. 2.) We need support and cannot work through our problems alone; all psychological problems are relationship problems and it is for this reason the therapeutic alliance is necessary. 3.) It takes intention to change patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving.

During these stressful times, do you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed? Recovering from a traumatic experience, or dealing with a life transition, work stress, or relationship challenges? I provide compassionate, generous listening and practical tools to soothe anxiety and anger so you can reach a calmer state and clear-sighted perspective. Through the therapy process, clients typically make effective, long-term lifestyle changes that promote well-being and more balance in life. With couples counseling, I incorporate evidence-based approaches, combining Gottman's work with Terry Real's Relational Life Therapy.

Making the decision to seek therapy can feel both overwhelming and empowering. My goal is to support you as you take this important step towards achieving wellness. I strive to create a welcoming environment that allows you to talk openly, explore concerns and recognize your strengths. Working within medical and community settings, I have experience with clients of all ages (from early childhood to geriatric populations). At different life stages, certain stressors can be more difficult to manage. I strive to help people find new ways to cope with these challenges.

Have you ever found yourself wondering why you do or think the things you do? Do you struggle in relationships and don't know what is the problem? It can be stressful trying to figure out who you are and it can be painful struggling in relationships with people in your life. We learn ways of existing in the world from our past experiences and environment. Unfortunately, we adopt behaviors from long ago that no longer serve us in a desirable way. This can lead to confusion and disappointment. My job is to help you be the comprehensive self that you want to be and to live a more satisfying life.

Thank you for taking the time to review my profile. Helping adults find overall balance and wellness is a primary focus of my practice. I have 20+ years of experience helping people with relationship/family issues, eating concerns, mood/anxiety disorders, interpersonal vulnerabilities and general work/life stress. I offer a therapy relationship that provides a focus on psychological wellness and a non-judgmental and collaborative environment in which to work together on personal growth and a return to a more positive and fulfilled state-of-being.

As a licensed clinical therapist, I adopt a person-centered, mindfulness-based, and trauma-informed approach when working with clients. My down-to-earth nature, open-mindedness, and empathy create a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to delve into their past, gain insight into the impact of their experiences, and develop strategies for moving forward.

In my practice, I prioritize creating an environment that feels safe, respectful, and warm for each person. My goals as a therapist are to establish an authentic connection, to be aware and supportive of individual and cultural differences, and to identify strengths that can serve as a foundation for healthy coping. To facilitate the growth you'd like to see, we'll discuss your aspirations and collaboratively set goals toward finding balance. A prospective client might recognize the need for support or change in their situation and be brave enough to take the next step in connecting.

Therapy is first and foremost about the relationship. As is the case with any relationship, finding a good fit is essential. As your therapist, I will actively listen as you share your story and collaborate with you in developing treatment goals. I’m here to support and appropriately challenge you as you work to develop further insight, clarify your values, and make changes in your life. I will provide a safe space for you to process your emotions and assist you in examining what is within your control. Most importantly, in order to best meet your therapeutic needs, my approach will be individually tailored to you.

I am an experienced clinician with over 15 years of experience working with clients across gender, ethnic, generational & religious differences. I am dedicated to establishing an authentic connection and creating a safe space for you to begin or continue your process of growth and healing. I tailor my approach to each client and their values and goals. In meeting you exactly where you are with empathy, we will work towards exploring what is at the core of your struggle and develop the insight and tools needed to help you improve your overall wellbeing.

I work with adults and adolescents to help them understand the impact of their thoughts, feelings, and actions on their wellbeing. I offer an active and empowering space to navigate issues such as anxiety, low mood, family conflict, identity confusion, and cultural transitions. I also provide therapy/coaching for work and school-related stress, low motivation, attention difficulties, and time management. People working with me will learn how their life experiences affect their ability to cope with challenges effectively.

I offer a warm, open environment to allow my clients the space they need to process life’s triumphs and struggles. I work with clients of all ages, but specialize in adolescents and young adults. I work through a person-centered approach, moving at the pace of trust with each client and per their specific needs. My specialties include LGBTQIA issues.

We sometimes find ourselves struggling in life. Psychotherapy can be a great place to examine where we are, how we got there, and where we want to go from here. I work collaboratively with clients to explore these questions with empathy, curiosity, and care. I am passionate about supporting clients in being their true, authentic self, and helping them to create deeper connections with the people in their lives. I value the diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences that each client brings. I aim to meet clients where they are at to uncover the right goals for them.

Ajit Samudra is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in IL with over 20 years of experience helping children, teens, young adults, and families. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Case Western Reserve University and completed his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Indiana State University. Ajit also completed postgraduate studies at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Ajit has extensive experience working with children, youth, and families in community mental health and school settings. He has helped clients with a broad range of presenting problems, including school problems, ADHD, executive function, and emotion regulation difficulties. He has worked with clients exhibiting anxiety, depression, stress and anger management problems, adjustment to life transitions, self-esteem, and work/life balance in young adults. Ajit is a strong believer in collaborating with clients and families and using a systemic, multicultural lens to help clients cope with stressors and create positive change. He works with individuals, families and couples and enjoys working with clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

My therapeutic style is affirming, curious, collaborative and inclusive. I believe in the value of a genuine and candid relationship with my clients. My objective is to help my clients understand, experience and respond to life's challenges and opportunities in new ways. I'm informed by an attachment perspective, which focuses on the emotions and needs underlying behavior - in service of strengthening connection. If you are experiencing relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression or simply a sense that you're not living the life that you would like, I may be able to help you find the new direction you're seeking.

How many of those faulty narratives do you hold in your head, that are keeping you from moving forward? You are the one who knows yourself better than anyone else. So how does this process works? By sharing your story and being curious, I can help you connect the dots between your thoughts, emotions, impulses, behaviors and blind spots. I want to understand what shaped you and the patterns that contributed to how you see yourself. We will embrace this excursion collaboratively.

Engaging in therapy is a courageous, commendable task. I have enormous respect for the individuals, couples, and families I work with, and endeavor to create a solid base of trust and a collaborative connection. Depending on your needs and goals, our work may focus on improving your quality of life, shifting patterns, and/or deepening your overall self-awareness. I find that, along the way, healing often occurs as one gains clarity and begins moving toward the desires, needs, and truths that may have gotten lost amidst the 'shoulds' and various other messages absorbed over time.