I pride myself on meeting my clients where they are, and working collaboratively with each of my clients and couples. We all at times go through periods when processing, whether towards change or healing, becomes necessary. I hope to make that process a bit more comfortable, so that you are not alone, and also to help you move through your journey with integrity and intention. Many of my clients report feeling it to be easier to approach difficult topics due to us having a friendly relationship as a foundation. I believe that foundation is in part created due to our efforts in seeing and validating their own internal strengths.

I am passionate about working with women identified individuals who may be struggling with anxiety, stress, depression etc. I work best with individuals who are motivated to make positive changes in their lives but are feeling "stuck". Using a gentle and collaborative approach, we will find ways to move past these road blocks and get you back to living a more meaningful and fulfilling life. My role is to walk alongside you as we discover more workable solutions. We may also explore how your past experiences, current thought patterns, relationship to your internal experiences, and cultural context influence how you are feeling.

I help people with a critical inner voice develop acceptance and compassion for themselves. My specialities include trauma, anxiety, depression, codependency, finding life/work balance, and providing LGBTQ+ affirming services. I've worked with many folks who grew up with alcoholism or substance abuse in the home, parents who fought often, and those who felt like they had to walk on egg shells. I've also worked with folks who have family members with addiction, those who identify as people pleasers, and those struggling to have fulfilling relationships. I'm especially passionate about helping other helpers, activists, and educators.

My clients are hard-working and desire a better quality of life. They are willing to be challenged, trying new techniques to move forward. I use information about normal developmental transitions to move people when they are stuck. The focus is on identity and spirituality as themes I weave into my work. This does not mean organized religion, rather concepts such as connections, acceptance, peace, and letting go. If you choose to combine religion and spiritualuity, for your own growth, that is your choice.

I believe therapy is a way for one to become a better version of themselves while taking the steps to live a more fulfilling and authentic life. A collaborative approach will help you feel therapy isn’t a one sided relationship because we will walk side by side together. You will be able to make the necessary changes to have a life worth living, while learning to accept yourself the way you are. Throughout my experience as a therapist, I have supported my clients in healing and understand their challenges while utilizing skills to manage those difficult times.

Our 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. The Ardent Counseling Center has 18 offices, with 75+ clinicians throughout Chicagoland, suburbs, and down to the middle of Illinois. And all of Iowa. Phone or online video conferencing is also available.

I am licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) who has been providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families since 2000. My personal intention for working with you, and all of my clients, is to approach therapy from a holistic perspective. A holistic perspective looks at the mind, body, and spirit with the goal of bringing these aspects of self into harmony. My primary goal is to help you foster your own inner strength to create the life you want. You may find that the therapy process cultivates more peace in your life or changes the way you want to live.

Do you find life's stressors are leaving you feeling anxious, depressed or confused? Deciding to start therapy marks the start of a meaningful journey. In our work together, we will explore your feelings, identify your goals, build on your strengths and work together to meet your goals. Through creativity and warmth, together, we will explore the challenges you face and better understand how to work through them. My goal as a therapist is to help you thoughtfully navigate barriers that hold you back and empower to take steps towards happiness and peace.

I have current openings in my practice for teens (13+) and adults in their 20s and 30s who are having difficulty with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and relational issues. My colleagues and I have recently expanded our group practice, North Shore Psychotherapy, to a Lincoln Park location. My warm and genuine presence provides a safe space for my clients, which allows them to work through difficult or confusing issues, without fear of judgment.

Dr. Jessica Towsky is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois. She earned both her Masters of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Psychology Degrees (Psy.D.) from the APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology program at Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. She earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree (B.A.) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Towsky completed a clinical internship at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and a postdoctoral fellowship at Kaiser Permanente in San Rafael, California.

The word psychotherapy comes from the ancient Greek word “psyche” meaning, soul, breath and spirit, + therapy, therapeia: healing. Soul healing. I look at psychotherapy as such: that the soul is a healer and seeks healing. Some of us hear the soul’s cry. We experience it deeply and it is disorienting, and confusing, being taken down a dark path which seems endless. We can either run away, or stay helpless in such situations. Or we can start to listen to the deeper calling of soul and work towards healing.

As a clinical and forensic psychologist, I have had the immense pleasure of working with a range of clients across various settings who have experienced significant trauma, physical and/or sexual violence, grief and loss, and suffer from issues such as anxiety and depression as a result of those traumas. I also specialize in and I am extremely passionate about worth/self-love/ self-esteem issues, identity concerns, LGBTQ+ concerns, relationship issues, anger and stress management concerns, mood disorders, ADHD, PTSD, and all other psychological issues related to chronic illness.

I am a compassionate, humorous eating disorders specialist, and I'm very interested in meeting your individual needs. I will take great time and pay close attention in order to assess your eating disorder issues thoroughly, and provide treatment in those specific areas. I have extensive experience in working with eating disorders,both individually and in groups, as well as training and teaching graduate level courses on the subject. I very much enjoy working with adults and college students.

With compassionate therapy and support, I believe everyone can soar. I am down to earth and will honestly support you with empathy, insight & MIND/BODY connections to expand your possibilities. I treat: adults, individuals & couples. SPECIALTIES: relationships, eating disorders, co-dependency, PTSD, women's issues/abuse, anxiety, depression, panic- phobias. 25 years experience including 7 years as Chairperson of International Council on Alcoholism & Addictions. Using both traditonal, EMDR & energy work will enhance BODY/MIND connections. This will empower you to better and healthier life. I also do Forensic evaluations & alternative healing. Skype coaching sessions available for out of state contacts.

I work with individuals and couples with a wide variety of problems including relationship difficulties, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and loss. I place great importance on creating a safe and non-judgmental environment in which my clients can freely explore their thoughts and feelings. My clients report that they appreciate the feedback I give them and the opportunity to consider their problems from another point of view. I have found that when I feel I have a good understanding of my client that they also feel understood and supported by me, leading to productive conversations, identifying how to change old patterns and achieve personal growth.

Life experiences and the thoughts and feelings we have about them can be overwhelming to figure out and make sense of alone. I believe that the therapeutic relationship fostered with clients is a safe space where you can truly be seen, heard, and feel comfortable being your authentic self. I help clients make sense, make meaning, and manage the difficult challenges and symptoms experienced throughout your daily lives (and past). I'm LGBTQ affirming, and I practice as an integrative, intersectional-feminist relational trauma therapist who operates from an anti-racist/anti-oppressive lens.

I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults from a variety of cultural backgrounds. While I tend conceptualize from a psychodynamic perspective, my treatment tends towards a more integrative model. I often use treatment techniques from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused treatment. I believe that one theory alone is not necessarily going to apply to every individual from a multitude of cultures and backgrounds.

Therapy is a unique opportunity to work through difficulties in one's life. As a therapist, I build a strong relationship with my patients, and create a space for absolute safety. Within this relationship, there can be free and honest expression, introspection, as well as the development of self-understanding. I believe that therapy is an opportunity to work through conflicts and obstacles that stand in the way of us having the life we want.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS: Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, discouraged? Might be confused about what to do in a situation or in need of some guidance? May just need to vent or even have someone to listen? Being able to want to seek help, takes great courage. Some may think their problem is insignificant, but reaching out to speak to someone no matter how insignificant it may seem, is a big step.