Therapists in Chicago, IL

Growth is thwarted by fear--both the known fears we can name and the hidden fears that manifest in self-defeating behaviors. As your counselor, I'll be your ally--giving you as much insight and encouragement as needed to vanquish fears and enhance personal growth. Drawing on 20 years of study and experience in the ancient, spiritual Wisdom Teachings as well as a formal education in psychology and philosophy, I am committed to helping you clear the path to a satisfying, meaningful life.

In today's world, it is easy to feel alone, even when surrounded by people. Between current life stressors and issues carried from our childhoods, life can feel overwhelming. Feelings can come up which are confusing, uncomfortable, or cause anxiety. Transitions and aging often bring about questions like "am I really happy?" or "who am I really?" Sometimes you just need a place where you can relax, explore, and be heard. Sometimes you need a place where you can integrate all that you are. And sometimes you need a skilled, established therapist to walk with you on your journey.

Are you feeling depressed, hopeless, or not sure how to work through some past hurts and traumas you may have experienced? Are you dealing with anxiety in your relationships or not sure how to uncover your own identity? If so, I would love to help you. I have extensive experience in working with trauma, relationship trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and life transitions. Everyone has a story that has defined their life up until this moment. It is my commitment to help you feel empowered to be the author of your own story.

Choosing to seek therapy is a decision that may come with anxiety and a greater sense of vulnerability, but it can ultimately lead to a significant decrease in distress as you experience increased awareness and strengthened coping abilities, which facilitate improvement in multiple areas of life and a heightened sense of overall contentment. My aim is to provide you with a comfortable, nonjudgmental atmosphere where you will be respected and welcomed with compassion and understanding; I believe these underpinnings are fundamental to a trusting, meaningful therapeutic relationship.

By picking up the phone and contacting a therapist, you've taken the hardest step: a coming to an awareness that you would like to affect change in your life. I believe in an interactive, dynamic approach where together we explore the history of an issue, it's effects and most importantly, institute a positive plan for change.

I have 21+ yrs experience working with individuals to develop a more meaningful life, facilitating personal growth & finding ways to manage difficult life situations. If you have anxiety/depression, we will identify patterns of thoughts/behaviors that impact your well-being & functioning. People come to therapy for many reasons; to improve communication skills, address trauma, establish boundaries, or understand who they are and their place in the world. if you are unsure of what you need out of therapy, we will work together to figure it out. I am easy to talk to & have a sense of humor. Licensed in IL & CO

My therapeutic style focuses on safety & empowerment. I may be the clinician, but I honor the fact that you are the expert of your own life. I build trust by wearing my heart on my sleeve. I would never ask you to risk your vulnerability if I am unwilling to risk my own. I may use humor to foster hope & ease discomfort. I welcome you to question my perspectives to improve the power of our co-created insights. We will collaborate to develop ways for you to make new choices, break old patterns, and build more effective supports. Our work will help you unlock your potential for healing, and get you closer to the person you want to be.

Are you done struggling with anxiety, depression, and relationships? Are you ready to feel fully yourself and alive again? Are you ready to build the life you want to live? My first goal when meeting with you is to establish a genuine & collaborative connection. This'll serve as the foundation for the work necessary to deal with daily feelings, understand experiences & make positive changes to your life. We'll work together to help you feel whole, peaceful, and connected. When you're done with therapy, you'll feel empowered and ready to face whatever challenges life throws at you. I can help you live your passion, purpose & truth.

I appreciate your willingness to take the time to put yourself first and look for a new therapist. In working with me, you will find a safe space where differences are honored. Together, we will explore challenging topics while incorporating different skills and tools that you can utilize regularly. My approach to psychotherapy is trauma-informed, client-centered, with a social justice lens. The goal is to have a holistic approach to healing so that you can reduce symptoms, meet goals, strengthen supports and overcome everyday stress as well as past trauma.

I believe that as we evolve and grow, our connections with ourselves, others and the world around us can become deeper and more fulfilling. However, when we are under stress, in a relationship crisis, or feel anxious or depressed, our connections to our loved ones and to ourselves are limited. We may be unable to communicate, feel angry, lack energy and feel overwhelmed. In order to relieve life's pressures, it is important to slow down, and become more self-aware--reconnecting with ourselves once again. Counseling fosters trust, and is a process that promotes growth and change.

Elena Vassallo has twenty-eight years of experience helping people with anxiety, depression, grief, phase of life transitions, low self-esteem, feelings of meaninglessness, relationship issues and more.

Choosing a therapist you feel you can work well with is critical to successful treatment. I offer a safe, collaborative, empathic & trusting relational space in which you can explore your issues and concerns without fear of judgment. We will work together to help you develop greater self-understanding, foster close, connected relationships, uncover thought & behavioral patterns that interfere with happiness, master coping skills and achieve the emotional vitality necessary to a healthy, productive and satisfying life. In addition to excellent training, I also bring life experience, wisdom, curiosity and compassion into treatment.

Hi, thank you for being here! I will provide a safe space for you in session to express yourself without judgment. I recognize the importance of building an open and honest therapeutic relationship and I will work with you to help you feel like you can be your authentic self. I am here to provide support with anything you want to share in session. I look forward to meeting you!

I offer collaborative psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, and substance use, using naturalistic research-supported approaches that enhance awareness, access strengths, and build skills. These approaches - which vary according to individual needs and preferences - include mindfulness, depth-oriented counseling, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Existential Psychotherapy. Particular concerns may include worry, panic, obsession, procrastination, grief, esteem, frustration, habits, and/or motivation. The overarching model promotes psychological growth, transcendence of purpose-limiting "world views," and personal empowerment.

To everyone around you, it looks like you've "got it together." But deep inside, you feel like an impostor. Even though your life looks great on the surface, you feel anxious, as if it could all fall apart at any moment. You'd like to be more authentic, but you worry about what would happen if other people knew the "real" you. What would happen if you really lived your TRUE self in the world? That's scary, so you put on an act. But the act is getting exhausting. Sometimes, you wonder if you've spent so much time faking it that you've lost sight of your true self altogether.

Maybe you have tried traditional talk therapy, yoga, or self-help apps but you haven't found that sense relief from stress, anxiety, depression or grief. Grounded in the use of mindfulness and the creative arts therapies - art, movement, music, and drama - we believe the steps towards clarity, growth, and empowerment are about much more than talking. We are constantly thinking, feeling, sensing, expressing, interpreting, and responding to daily experiences. Your sessions will holistically explore all of these parts of your experience while gaining new skills to cope with stress, trauma, relationships, loss, or a new life change.

How can I help? That's how therapy begins. Whether you decided to seek therapy because you're sad, anxious, angry, struggling in your job or relationship, or because you are pursuing self-growth, choosing a therapist can be overwhelming. If you're looking for a therapist who is warm, direct, and focused on helping you be more honest with yourself and with others, then I might be a good fit for you. Ultimately, my goal is to help you live a better life.

I have immediate openings for new clients. I specialize in individual therapy for depression, anxiety, stress related to family and relationships dynamics, eating disorders, and trauma-related stressors. Engaging in a therapeutic process requires vulnerability and courage; I admire and respect you for making the decision of going through the journey to your inner world.

We are dedicated to helping people improve emotional, physical and spiritual well-being by focusing on personal growth. Our team of highly qualified therapists has experience in a wide variety of issues including relationship issues, depression and anxiety. However, we don't dwell on what isn't working; we help you build upon what IS working. Our approach is empowering, empathetic and non-judgmental. We help you identify and release unhealthy behavior patterns, which may interfere with your ability to experience a deeper sense of peace and serenity. We look forward to working with you and in accompanying you upon your journey.