Lesbian Therapists in Chicago, IL

When we are feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, seeking therapy can be a daunting experience. It is my goal as a therapist to foster connection and create a space for you to unpack life's challenges. I work with adults who are seeking change in their lives. My clients often come into counseling dealing with anxiety, overwhelming life transitions & identity and relationship issues. I believe that finding connection with others is key to change in our lives and that with empathy and reflection, you have the capacity to grow and develop as a person.

Are you functional, even successful on the outside but deal with insecurities and worry that your problems are interfering with your work or relationships? You might have lingering impacts from things that happened in childhood or in toxic relationships. Most of my clients are women who are overthinkers and people- pleasers and suffer from being very self-critical. I think of our work as "recovery from everything." The positive coping skills we work on are quite similar no matter what has caused you such high levels of anxiety.

Are you a parent seeking guidance as your teenager navigates puberty? An adult in need of authentic support? A veteran transitioning to civilian life? Do you crave a safe, non-judgmental space for self-exploration? Everyone deserves a village. As a Black-Woman, lesbian licensed therapist and veteran with over 5 years of dedicated clinical and non-profit experience working with youth in care, my calling is to guide individuals across life stages. However, my profound commitment and unwavering passion are devoted to serving marginalized communities through an authentic, spiritual, and holistic approach.

I specialize in working with people who have experienced trauma. Trauma can leave a person feeling numb, disconnected as if your life has been turned upside down. I would like to assist you with your healing journey. My focus is a Holistic approach to helping people recover and heal after a traumatic event and learn new ways of coping and managing their traumatic responses. When someone does not heal from a traumatic event, they can develop Post Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) depression, and/or anxiety.

Has Openings- Sometimes we lose our way, have parts of ourselves we wish to change, or long for better relationships. While I work with everyone, I have specialized in working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and queer individuals. As a result, I am familiar with how the world around you can make it difficult to get your needs met. Therapy provides a space where we consider your unique experience without judgment or criticism and help you find a path forward that is inclusive of your needs. I offer an affirming environment to help you pay attention to what you really want and who you really are.

Dr. Nakisher offers a practical approach in a supportive, yet challenging atmosphere to help clients gain insight, make lasting changes in life and get out your own way. He works particularly well with people who have previously experienced therapy as unhelpful. Dr. Nakisher also works a business consultant to major corporations, improving business through human capital.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

Lucas specializes in working with individuals and couples who identify as part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer population. Within the LGBTQ population, he has further expertise in working with those who wish to address the implications of their trauma history, HIV/AIDS-related health and wellness, Depression, Anxiety, issues related to Aging and Substance Abuse and Dependance related disorders.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), I work with adults, either individually or as couples. I use an interactive approach, grounded in Gestalt Therapy with a focus on the mind/body connection. I specialize in grief and loss and navigating life’s major transitions, in recovery from past trauma, and gay/lesbian issues.

For over 30 years, I have accompanied others on their journey towards greater self-awareness, more fulfilling relationships, and exploring the needs and challenges of maintaining sound emotional, physical and spiritual health. My experience is particularly helpful when working on self-esteem issues, depression, grief and loss, relationship struggles, and faith and spiritual development. My clinical work draws upon skills developed while working as a hospital chaplain, pastoral counselor, bereavement counselor, youth counselor and a mental health therapist in a social service agency.

As a psychotherapist, I recognize that each course of treatment is subjective and unique. I work closely with each client in determining his or her treatment goals and respect each individuals right to self determination. Enhanced self esteem, improved coping skills, and a more confident decision making process are the foundation for a more joyful, less conflicted life. Together we will work to achieve these results.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward and Integrative approach and have our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

As a psychologist, my goal is to help you uncover your true potential and help you find ways to be your best self. While we can't change difficult situations of the past, we can use them to better understand and resolve the current challenges in your life. By working collaboratively, we will work to adjust behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

At Forest Path Therapy, we will walk with you on your journey and support you in your work. We believe that the most important factors in therapy are feeling like you are comfortable talking with your therapist and where you feel heard and understood. We start by learning who you are and what your life looks like. Instead of focusing just on what’s wrong, we pay attention to your whole life - what is working and what you would like to change. We believe therapy works best when we work together to examine the different sides of a problem together and provide support and space for you to decide how to move forward.

"Should I stay or should I go?" This is the age old question asked to me, for the last 10 years by just about every couple experiencing distress that I've sat with. If you are reading this, my guess is that you asked yourself the exact same question at some point...Stay? Or Go? If you are struggling to find the right path for you in this relationship - I can help. As Psychologist, Clinical Therapist & an expert in the science of love, I specialize in helping people rebuild their attachment w/ each other, reduce conflict, repair trust, create positive feelings, and take control of emotional & physical symptoms that hold you back.

In my 10 years of practice as a psychotherapist, I have worked with people facing many struggles, including surviving past trauma and abuse, feeling suicidal, and severe/chronic mental illness. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I have worked with many people who identify as LGBTQ, and have supported people through coming out, gender transition, and accessing gender-affirming health care. As a white therapist, when working with BIPOC clients, I use the frameworks of anti-racism and cultural humility, and strive to make space for exploring the impacts of racism and racial differences.

I strongly believe in every individual's ability to bring about meaningful changes through self-awareness. A trusting relationship between a client and therapist offers a safe space to reflect on our experiences, our histories that we carry with us, and the way in which these histories impact our present experiences. I understand that every client's personal journey is unique; therefore, my approach is tailored to fit the specific needs of each client.