Therapists in Palatine, IL

Whether you’re seeking therapy due to dissatisfaction regarding a specific issue in your life or just trying to find peace in the midst of world events, I strive to help clients develop self-compassion, resilience, healing and greater happiness. While suffering is a normal part of being human, therapy provides a safe space to explore our response to internal and external stresses and develop a greater sense of peace, meaning, and fulfillment. In addition to genuine concern and empathy, clients have mentioned my 'particular blend of pragmatism and humor' as helpful in establishing a collaborative therapeutic relationship.

I'm highly skilled in working with a wide variety of relational and individual issues involving adolescents, families, couples/relationships, parenting, stage-of-life concerns, addiction, meditation and yoga, and business managers/executives. As your clinical psychologist, I'll help you identify the core issues behind your problems, determine the changes that you want to make, and support you every step of the way as you courageously move toward a happier and more fulfilling life.

My philosophy in working with clients is to build a trusting relationship with them by learning about their story - their family's story, their personal story, their triumphs and their challenges. I then work with the client to use their strengths to help them form a new story, a story where they change ingrained habits and live the life they have always wanted to live. I like to use the relationship we have built together to help the client feel safe making these changes in a supported environment.

Psychological suffering can be debilitating to the point where people can become hopeless, but I believe psychoanalytic therapy presents a unique opportunity to deal with suffering. Through the process of therapy, clients can work toward lowering the intensity of their symptoms, find freedom and meaning within their trauma, and strive to live authentically.

There are numerous reasons why an individual makes a decision to seek therapy. From my perspective, the key factor in being able to examine your individual reasons is based upon the relationship between yourself and your therapist. I offer a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment in order to explore your individual needs with a commitment to placing the highest priority on your care. We will work collaboratively to identify and address your concerns in order to foster meaningful change in your life. My clinical experience has included working not only with individuals but couples, families and groups.

Within the framework of the therapeutic setting, some of my primary goals are to promote symptom management, increase your sense of self efficacy, develop and implement effective self-care practices and help you increase your insight into the origin of troublesome thoughts and/or behaviors.

Many of those looking for psychotherapy are responding to the feeling that things in life are breaking apart. Whether you are experiencing unwanted symptoms or seeking greater self-understanding about your interpersonal patterns, mental health treatment can be a powerful tool to help us learn how to live in ways that align with our deepest values. I have experiences working with those who are navigating significant life changes, those seeking healing from old and new wounds, and those working to integrate loss and pain including intergenerational trauma and spiritual concerns.

Welcome! Finding support is such a hard yet valuable step in your healing journey! I work in a client-centered way to help you understand & cope with present-day stressors and get to the root of the issues/trauma that keep you feeling stuck or disconnected. I use validation, active listening, and intuition to ensure you feel seen, heard, and supported by someone who deeply cares. Trying to manage an issue that seems like no one understands can be a very lonely experience, and sometimes it takes an outside perspective to gain a felt sense of clarity. My goal is to quickly have you feeling like you aren’t alone as you heal & grow.

My way of doing therapy involves insight-oriented exploration and problem solving, and an invitation to make deeper contact with core issues and inner healing potential via somatic experience and "parts work." I'm trained as an IFS therapist and can be an especially good fit for those with established mindfulness practices and an ability to tune into inner experience. While working with me you may find yourself looking at problems in a new way, with more curiosity and self compassion. Less judgement.

I enjoy helping clients develop greater insight into where they are and where they would like to be, helping them improve relationships, careers, creative endeavors, and their overall ability to find clarity and a deep sense of meaning. I teach clients creative ways to connect with the wisest parts of themselves so they can progress in their lives with equanimity and confidence. My clinical experience includes treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, as well as interpersonal and relationship issues. I also have a strong ability to help artists and other creative individuals to become more effective versions of themselves.

As a queer transgender therapist, I believe there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to living our lives. The same goes for therapy - there isn't a "right way" to do it. In my practice, I am committed to helping individuals tap into their personal strengths and uncover a path that is meaningful and fulfilling. I trust that my clients are the experts on their own lives and have the skills and tools they need to navigate their problems. However, I'm here to provide support and guidance when they need it.

You may have been considering going to therapy for some time, but don't know who to speak to. Or perhaps you're facing an unexpected stress in your life. Either way, we're here to help and you don't have to face things alone. We have the training and experience to help a wide variety of issues: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or relationship problems. Our staff offers a wide range of services including individual therapy, couples counseling, EMDR, and mindfulness training. We specialize in helping people feel better.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who has also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor(CADC) and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology(MCP). Much of my training has been centered in client-centered theory and I also have specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In addition to being traditionally trained, I also incorporate​ a holistic, integrated approach toward psychotherapy which includes aspects of mindfulness and Eastern philosophy, providing individual, family and couples therapy as well as intervention work.

Sometimes, people are overwhelmed by the thought of changing feelings, behaviors, and patterns that may have long histories or that have resisted previous efforts. I firmly believe therapy offers solid reasons to have hope, as one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is the time and space for healing and growth. It also offers a valuable way of understanding the dynamics of change, wherein small, gradual strides assume their genuine and crucial importance. Additionally, setbacks are recognized as a natural and manageable part of the change process rather than a denial of it.

The crux of my approach is simple, but versatile: I use anything and everything available to make breakthroughs possible. We all do better with an expansive toolkit. EMDR for "stuckness" / trauma and Gottman methods for couples to repair & connect. (Well worth YouTubing either for a sense of them.) Once we understand each other and you are insight-equipped, we'll put insight into action. But in ways that feel authentic to your personal experience of things. Clients often report that my approachable, humorous, "very human" style makes therapy a much more effective experience even when exploring difficult content.