Alzheimer's Therapists in University Park, IL

We offer neuropsychological and psychological assessments for adults and older adults when they are experiencing emotional distress, having difficulty with thinking and memory, or need surgical clearance for bariatric or spinal cord procedures. You may be looking for emotional support, education regarding a diagnosis, or help navigating life transitions, and our licensed clinical social worker can help you meet your goals.

The therapeutic bond is a sacred alliance between both therapist and client. I am honored to share this space and genuinely believe in the individual's innate ability to foster their own growth and healing. My background is primarily in the residential setting working with adults and geriatrics affected by dementia, severe mental illness, and comorbid disease & disorders. I currently work with individuals of all ages to assist in their unique processes of overcoming hardship and obtaining fulfillment in their lives.

Since 2002, I have provided therapeutic services in a variety of settings with people of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic statuses. Helping people navigate some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives supported by nearly 31 years of social service experience. I have provided services to help guide individuals, families and groups to live their best life as they navigate their respective journeys to wellness.

***Dr. Bruchauser Sarna is not currently taking therapy patients at this time; however is still conducting neuropsychological evaluations. Dr. Bruchauser-Sarna received her Master's and Doctorate at Midwestern University in Downer's Grove. Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, ADHD, learning disorders, neurological disorders, as well as an array of medical ailments including pain, diabetes, cancer, and weight management. Dr. Bruchauser-Sarna is skilled in neuropsychological/psychological assessment, in addition to individual and couples therapy.

My theory of choice is Adlerian theory which is a holistic approach to psychology that emphasizes the importance of overcoming feels of inferiority and gaining a sense of belonging in order to achieve success and happiness. One thing that I really enjoy about Adlerian theory is that it is integrative and can be adapted for specific needs of the individual. It emphasizes techniques that promote growth and resilience and some of the techniques used in this type of therapy include: Providing encouragement, creating expectations, examining the purposes for behavior, examining memories, and an establishment of goals.

............ Fear, Sadness, Loneliness, Past traumas, Memory concerns, Relationship problems, Worries and anxiety, Feelings of anger and aggression, Attention and concentration problems, Intellectual and developmental challenges, Feeling out of sorts or like life is not worth living ............These are problems in living. All of us encounter some of them at some point in our lives. They occur in childhood, adolescence and throughout adulthood. We may experience them personally or see them in those we love.

My ideal client is anyone who feels brave and willing enough to take the journey into self-discovery. Regardless of their issues clients need to know and experience positive regard, attentive listening and judgement free interactions. Clients need to feel that their concerns or needs can be met by a clinical professional. The goals of any client would come from collaboration and would hopefully be deemed realistic, worthwhile and attainable.

Life has a way of altering our plans. As a clinician, I understand that there is no greater disability or limitation than the inability to see yourself in your greatest light. My objective as a clinician is to provide multifaceted intervention and rehabilitation skills, as well as training and empowerment to individuals, families, and groups, in order to help them achieve their mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. As a mental health and rehabilitation counselor, I am always looking for ways to innovate, support, and overcome the challenges that could hinder your abilities and mindset.

If you are coping with chronic illness, aging, caregiving, or bereavement, you might feel like you don’t know what to do next. You’re probably trying to find ways to deal with stress while also managing the day-to-day realities that can make it tough to prioritize your emotional health. It can be hard to even stay grounded, let alone imagine forging a life of meaning and purpose in the wake of significant change. Therapy with a knowledgeable and compassionate therapist can help you gain a sense of control over your choices, develop coping skills, and effectively process what you are going through.

Dr. Ellison sees adult patients (16+) for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and has expertise not only in adults with concerns about changes in memory and/or thinking, but also in assessing younger adults for ruling out potentially undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ADHD, ASD). Dr. Ellison also has some openings for virtual private-pay cognitive rehabilitation, utilizing each patient’s unique strengths to improve and remediate cognitive and as well as daily functioning, aiming to promote overall wellness and independence.

We start with the problem you present. Eg for a person caring for someone with dementia, I assess the situation based on your views and my observation and professional skills. We discuss your goals, my input with additional recommendations and develop a strategic plan of care.

I am a licensed clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in neuropsychological evaluations and treatment. I work with patients (18+) who present with various neurological, medical, and/or psychiatric conditions, such as dementia, epilepsy, and ADHD. I also help patients regain confidence and autonomy through cognitive rehabilitation. With cognitive rehabilitation, we will work together to identify areas of cognitive weakness, learn compensatory strategies, retrain skills, adjust and accept new changes, regain confidence, autonomy and self-efficacy, and improve your daily and emotional functioning.

At Hesed Psychological Services we provide excellent neuropsychological assessment and therapy services across the lifespan. We strive to help each client understand the implications of the neuropsychological test data in each particular life situation (work, school, home). We have years of experience not only in the work of clinical neuropsychology but also in the training of others in this work. Our areas of competence/specialization include learning disability, autism, dyslexia, ADHD, academic concerns, memory concerns, dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), stroke, epilepsy, TBI, depression, and anxiety.

I am a licensed clinical neuropsychologist specializing in neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic evaluations and treatment. I work with adolescents and adults who present with cognitive changes in the context of neurological, medical, and psychiatric conditions. Areas of clinical interest include dementia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, autoimmune disorders, and psychiatric disorders.

Over my career, I have had the opportunity to work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, chronic and acute illness, caregiver stress and burnout, life transitions, grief/loss and dementia. I work with families and individuals from adolescence through adulthood. My goal is to create a non-judgmental, safe space for all of my clients to feel comfortable processing whatever personal concern they choose to address. Valuing open communication, empathy and kindness, I create a space for clients to work towards their goals and support them in their journey of self exploration.

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 offer both neuropsychological testing services, as well as individual therapy services for a range of conditions. Testing is for both children and adults; therapy services are offered to persons age 18 and up.

The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in creating an environment for individuals to feel safe being vulnerable. I have experience working with adults of all ages experiencing life transitions, anxiety, depression, family conflict, abuse or neglect, grief, and loss. I specialize in working with older adults and their families who might be experiencing caregiver stress and burnout, hoarding issues, challenges related to dementia or other chronic illness, and end-of-life planning. I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy and it is never too late to begin one’s own journey of healing.

I am a licensed clinician psychologist who has experience working with diverse client needs. I have treated clients with mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders and comorbid substance abuse. My internship and post-doctoral training has provided me with unique training in providing therapy and neuropsychological assessment to patients with dementia, brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and other medical conditions that are comorbid with psychiatric illnesses.