Therapists in Riverwoods, IL

Ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or just unsure what to do next? I have focused my practice on helping people identify what they want out of life and figure out what steps are needed to get there. I specialize in working with adolescents, young adults, and adults. My approach to therapy involves creating a safe, non-judgmental space for my clients to explore their feelings. I strive to create a supportive environment in which positive changes can take place. I work with mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as relationship issues, identity formation, and life transitions.

I strive to use interventions that meet the specific needs of my clients in a safe, comfortable, and nonjudgmental way. I often use a cognitive-behavioral approach (CBT) in psychotherapy as I help my clients adjust and overcome maladaptive thinking patterns and behaviors. I also utilize dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and other therapeutic modalities as a way of teaching clients important coping techniques to manage their stress and navigate their challenges. My goal is to help my clients learning healthy ways of living and a positive mindset to overcome challenges.

I firmly believe that every individual is endowed with immense potential and innate strength. My foremost objective is to empower my clients, guide them to recognize their inherent worth, help them find purpose in their lives, and unveil the untapped potential shaping their unique selves. Whether assisting a parent of a traumatized child, supporting a teenager grappling with anxiety, helping a young adult trapped in depression, or aiding a couple seeking reconnection, I believe positive transformation is attainable.

People I work with are often struggling with issues including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and life transitions. Over a long career, as a Psychotherapist and Social Work Professor, I have come to appreciate the role therapy can play in the process of taking control of our lives and building healthier relationships. This process is marked by certain key steps which include: identifying client strengths, finding alternate coping mechanisms, and bolstering resilience. Central to all of these is fostering Self Awareness: transformation of automatic behavior into conscious, deliberate choices.

I hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy. D.), a Masters of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology, and 7 years of experience working as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). I have conducted treatment for individuals, couples, families, and groups. I have extensive expertise in clinical psychopharmacology, which enables me to comprehend the biological foundations of diseases. I have experience working with both adolescents and adults to address a wide range of illnesses. I take a holistic approach to counseling, which means that in addition to ACT, DPT, CBT, and mindfulness, I use a combination of other techniques.

The most important ingredient in a successful therapy experience is the therapy relationship itself. The clients who benefit the most are those who feel understood, respected and cared about, and so are better able to be more genuine and more fully engaged in the process. A basic tenet of my approach is that our fears and hurts inhibit the natural tendency within us all to grow and move toward healthier ways of functioning. Individuals who feel safe enough in therapy to face their fears can begin to "digest" their unfinished business and take back control of their lives.

Relationships can be difficult. Whether it is familial, romantic or platonic, each of us is the sum of all the experiences, communities, and cultures we have been involved in and around our entire lives. We often struggle to understand how to effectively communicate, as well as making and keeping connections.

Healing is a circular and cyclical journey with many paths, choices, & discoveries. We meet you where you are today, acknowledge that you are ever-changing, ever evolving. We know how hard it is to ask for help…to embrace, hold, and make space for change…we know how challenging it is to have a dissolution of self, or a version of yourself that no longer fits. Together, we can uncover & compost outdated & stifling beliefs, unrealistic expectations or goals, let go of worries & fears, discover self-sabotage, burrow through behaviors & deeply hidden feelings & emotions that keep us stuck, fearful, unable to step into empowered selves.

Sometimes it is time to just stop. Stop believing that voice in your head that is so demanding, so critical, so unkind. Stop running, stop fighting, stop avoiding, stop numbing. Sometimes it is time to start. Start waking up, start feeling more alive, start coming home, start loving yourself and others more deeply than ever before. Becoming more present in this constantly beeping and flickering culture of ours is the major personal challenge of the 21st century. Feelings of joy and contentment take place now, not in the future or the past. Experiencing your feelings fully is the key to opening the door to a more satisfying life.

I specialize in primary and secondary trauma experienced by law enforcement officers, firefighters/paramedics, educators, veterans, mental health professionals, survivors of suicide, survivors of violent crimes, their families, and those struggling with complicated and traumatic grief. I see clients who need help managing their anger and addictive behaviors. Additionally, I work with survivors of Near Death Experiences (NDE) and psychically gifted children and adults. I offer debriefing services to law enforcement officers after critical incident involvement and mandated psychotherapy for fit-for-duty protocols.

Are you stressed? Is your body speaking to you with hard to understand symptoms? There's a tension that remains when a task is incomplete. This tension is not only related to the projects we have yet to complete but also relates to the internal tension from not speaking our truth. Dr. Weissman is known for treating those with anxiety-based stress conditions like PTSD and OCD. His skills in mind body medicine and clinical psychology allow him to rapidly assess the depth and breath of stress in a person's life and in their life and to co-create an individualized treatment plan leading to greater self-care & personal empowerment.

I work with single and partnered adults who struggle to express themselves due to the lingering effects of developmental stressors. My ideal clients are motivated to explore the depths of their self-esteem, develop greater insight into how it affects their daily lives, and identify coping strategies that actually work.

Is your child having difficulty in school? Do you feel that he/she is not trying hard enough? Or do you feel that the school is not providing enough effective support? Perhaps there is a different problem interfering with learning. We can complete a comprehensive assessment of your child's strengths and weaknesses and provide recommendations to enhance his/her learning.

I have been in private practice for 40+ years, having earned my Masters and Doctorate from Illinois Institute of Technology and my clinical license from the State of Illinois in 1973. Having been in active practice for this long, I have had the privilege of studying under some of the most significant figures in psychology in the Midwest. Gaining feedback from clients over the years on their outcomes allowed me to hone my skills as a diagnostician and clinician. Applying this knowledge and learning from the outcomes has allowed me to increase my success rate with my patients. I utilize an eclectic approach to therapies and treatment

With over 20 years of counseling experience as a Gottman Certified therapist with trauma training and EMDR working with individuals, families, and couples in crisis is my passion. I encourage my clients to increase their resilience by developing the skills to grow whether individually, as a couple, or in a family system. Challenges can be viewed negatively but they can also be used as a positive tool for change that can lead to stronger relationships with the right support.

As a therapist and educational advocate, I work with tweens, teens, adults and families to bring out their best selves by using successes in the past to confront and conquer current life challenges. It is okay to struggle with anxiety; the goal is to make sure you don't suffer from it. Parent coaching means understanding great kids can also make bad decisions. We work together to learn practical strategies to put in your parent toolbox. I'm also passionate about helping parents trust their instincts by decoding specialized vocabulary of IEPs and help parents assert their expertise when it comes to the special needs of special kids.

I work with adults who are struggling to build the types of relationships they crave. Some of my clients are looking for good friends and community, while others are struggling to find love. Still others find themselves pushing love away, even when it's available. What all of my clients have in common is that they feel anxious, powerless, or hopeless about their situations. Many of my clients are immigrants, and seek a therapist who is sensitive to how cultural factors and (im)migration impact their ability to successfully connect with others. (I also offer immigration evaluations.)

My professional background includes working with a wide variety of clients from children to older adults. I have provided mental health and substance abuse outpatient counseling including individual, group and family therapy. I have worked with a broad range of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, adjustment difficulties, grief and loss, relationship problems, family conflict, mood disorders, personality disorders, psychosis, thinking disorders, codependency, domestic violence, self-esteem, women’s issues, spirituality, chronic illness, chronic pain, dual diagnosis, and addictions.

Fenna provides a holistic approach to care, incorporating the physiological aspects of human anatomy into treatment for mental health disorders and concerns. She focuses on the intersection between physical and psychological health within individuals, families, and couples, such as the the intersection of chronic illnesses and eating disorders. By utilizing a strengths-based approach in conjunction with modified cognitive behavioral therapy and polyvagal theories, Fenna provides a full-spectrum level of care that focuses on healing from the inside out.