Therapists in Chicago, IL

I understand life can be stressful. We all struggle at times and need someone to help us through. In my work with clients and families, I firmly believe in building on the strengths and resilience you already possess to help you get through more difficult moments. My attitude and approach to treatment is that while we all have our struggles, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. I specialize in working with individuals or adult family members, such as couples, siblings, parents, or entire family units.

I discover objectively what is the issue, applying the best treatment for abuse, aging, alcohol/substance use, anger, anxiety, attention deficit, autism spectrum disorders, bereavement, cancer, career consultation, coping, criminal charges, custody, delinquency, dementia, depression, divorce, DUI, dyslexia, hyperactivity, hypnosis, individualized education plans, insomnia, job loss, learning disability, lower productivity, neuropsychological exams, panic attacks, parenting, personal injury, personality tests, post automobile accident, relationships, stress, trauma, TBI, underachievement, vocational guidance, workers compensation.

Feeling anxious, stressed or depressed? Many people are overwhelmed these days. There is help.

I am an experienced psychotherapist and I work with clients from diverse backgrounds. I have extensive experience working with clients who are adult children of alcoholics and helping clients who have suffered a loss(es) and seek bereavement counseling. I also work with adults and youths who have both depression and anxiety, including panic attacks and phobias. I offer specific strategies to combat anxiety and panic attacks. My particular expertise has been working with parents and their children. Other areas of practice are sexual abuse and domestic violence.

I want to give you the tools and support to create a life that meets your needs. As an art therapist and counselor, I believe in the power of creativity to foster connection, expression, and healing, particularly when words fall short. My goal is to meet you where you are and to create a non-judgmental space to foster change.

Everyone experiences challenges in life. However, we may not always know how to handle the challenges that occur. We believe in a person's innate ability to overcome and change using her or his strengths. The experienced clinicians at The Meyer Group don't have an ideal client. We have a reputation for providing effective treatment to people who have difficult problems. We specialize in multiple and complicated problems and issues, ranging from mood disorders and anxiety disorders to marital and family problems.

At times a crisis, trauma, or series of compounding stressors can overwhelm one’s normal resilience and ability to cope. Professional therapy provides help in navigating through these difficult times, and the process can create lasting insight leading to a richer, more satisfying life. I believe as a clinical therapist, my responsibility is to provide a space where clients feel safe, valued and heard. I appreciate the uniqueness of each of my clients, and see the therapy process as a collaboration, where patterns of thinking and behavior are explored in an effort to bring about change.

My counseling approach emphasizes how all individuals have the capabilities to live life authentically and with reduced stress. My goal is to help you utilize your strengths to achieve positive self-change and growth through the many transitions in life. I provide counseling for adults, couples, and older adults experiencing depression, low self esteem, anxiety, parental difficulties, relationship problems, substance abuse, anger, and stress related symptoms. I have training in teaching relaxation techniques and anger management skills including deep breathing and systematic desensitization.

I've been a licensed clinical psychologist for over 24 years and have been working in the field for over 45. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and work in the Chicago area in hospitals and in private practice. My approach to therapy is integrative. I have certification in clinical hypnosis and like to work with patients on practical strategies to improve their lives. Once particular problems are addressed, addressing life's meaning and personal potential is always important.

Therapy is a healthy resource. Everyone needs an objective, non-judgmental person to talk with in a confidential and warm environment. Sometimes you feel something is not quite right, but you can't put your finger on it. Other times, you know exactly what it is. Either way, telling your story can help figure things out by identifying your patterns of thought, behavior and emotions. Are any of them getting in the way? Together we discover the obstacles to achieving a stronger sense of well-being. Most importantly, we figure out how you can remove obstacles to leading a happier, more authentic life.

People come to therapy because of depression, anxiety, conflict, or trauma. Because of a broken relationship. Because life is devoid of joy, or stressful and overwhelming. Or because something has happened -- a death, loss of a job, a harrowing experience -- upsetting the way they see themselves, their relationships, even the world around them. To paraphrase Lao Tzu, people come to therapy because they recognize that if they don't change direction, they will end up where they are going. My job is to help them change their direction.

To be human is to suffer; the fact that pain is inevitable, however, does not mean we should let it consume us. In my therapy room, I focus on tackling the 'hard parts' of the human condition- loneliness, isolation, grief, sorrow, confusion, feelings of futility, etc- in order to guide clients toward a place of deeper self-awareness and a newfound desire to see the beauty of the world. I have experience with residential care for Mood/Anxiety Disorders and Eating Disorders, as well as intensive outpatient programs for Substance Use Disorders.

You are the explorer and I am here to help navigate and carry the loads that you would rather share, in your expedition through life. I have worked with the entire age/developmental spectrum, with clients who are Neurodivergent, Queer, and BIPOC, facing issues with Life Transitions, Identity, Anxiety, Depression, Addictions, Trauma, OCD, ADHD. I want to work with any client who is seeking positive change in their life, and who is looking to develop a strong support system in therapy. I work to create a comforting and safe environment for my clients to feel supported and also challenged in their own personal journey.

If you are feeling stuck, I can be a guide in helping you find movement in your life. I will work with you to better understand your body and mind's ways of knowing. We may use creative practices like artmaking and body awareness along with discussion. Based on your goals, we will find what works best for you. I use a relational approach with a dash of humor in my practice, making space for both the hard things and the good stuff in life. Therapy should help you to feel that range more deeply, to feel you have options, and to feel capable of knowing what you need.

Do you feel your life doesn't reflect your hopes and dreams? Do your relationships lack the satisfaction & warmth you wish and deserve? Are you finding it challenging to be the spouse or parent you want to be? Have you been diagnosed with a medical condition and struggling to adjust? Are you caring for a loved one with an illness and feeling the stress? As your partner and guide, I can help you remove unhealthy patterns and develop more constructive ways of coping. I can assist you in feeling happier, more resilient in the face of life challenges, developing stronger relationships and achieving your full potential.

Christopher Allen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois who has been practicing since 2020. Christopher completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology at Purdue University and his Master's degree from the Indiana University School of Social Work at IUPUI. He has experience working with a variety of populations including individuals spanning from teens to geriatric patients, substance use disorders, college students, couples, and older adults. Christopher has worked in a variety of environments including private practice, inpatient, outpatient clinic, schools, and community-based treatments.

A time of stress is one of the most common reasons to seek therapy. People also often enter counseling after experiencing a loss or a looming loss, whether it concerns a health crisis, relationship, divorce, job, the death of a loved one, or a major disappointment. My goal is to develop a warm and trusting working relationship with every client so that they have the opportunity to explore their thinking and feelings in a setting that is safe and secure. My work is solution-focused and evidenced-based. Ultimately, the goal of any therapy is life enhancement.

 My goal is to provide each client with an emotionally safe environment where they feel comfortable exploring even the biggest challenges, whether it is how to manage overwhelming emotions such as anxiety or depression, rebuild a more honest sense of identity, learn to recognize and fight unhealthy or toxic patterns in life & relationships, confront past trauma or abuse, or other flavors of struggle. Many of my clients battle mood disorders, daunting life transitions, relationship issues, as well as cultural issues, LGBTQ integration struggles, grief/loss, trauma, & body image discomfort/disordered eating.

I understand the healing process as one of self-determination through therapeutic empathy. Being curious while employing sensitive honesty makes me a good fit for people who are open to exploring deeper personal and interpersonal connections. The lens of attachment, psychodynamic theory, and existential thought within ecological and systemic perspectives help me appreciate the pressures that impact quality of life issues. I am interested in working with individuals, couples, and families from diverse cultural backgrounds who find themselves struggling in relationships, depression, anxiety, complex trauma, psychosis, and grief/loss.