Body Positivity Therapists in Uptown, Chicago, IL

Are you LGBTQIA+ and haven't found a therapist who sees, understands, or meets you where you currently are in life? As a psychotherapist I believe that you are the expert in your own life. My role is to help you process, explore, and cope with the trauma and challenges you endure. I believe our best work together is achieved when you feel supported, encouraged, and empowered. Through humor, compassion, and support I meet you where you are, so that we can collaboratively work together to process and overcome the challenges and trauma that are a part of your story, help you achieve your goals, and be an authentic you.

What would it feel like to give yourself the space to sit and explore emotions, memories, and thoughts instead of avoiding or changing them? It is okay if your answer is “scary” or “gross”. While acknowledging that I cannot determine whether a space is safe or not, I strive to offer a space of non-judgement, validation, compassion and growth where you can get to know yourself more, build insight and acknowledgement of your strengths, and talk about whatever you need to for an hour.

Therapy is a space for big feelings, hard conversations, and laughing at ourselves when we can. We like to form connections with folks that feel supportive, brave, and most of all, REAL. At Bespoke Healing, we know therapy is going well when we see folks begin to step out in new ways and take risks to develop deeper bonds. We find it fruitful to explore how past traumas show up in current relationships, and our therapists are active in session as part of our relational style. We also help folks befriend their bodies as an important resource.

Maya Angelou said, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." Your story is important. Perhaps in this chapter you're encountering low self-esteem, looking to heal from past trauma, struggling with self-esteem, or needing a place to ventilate the sometimes overwhelming stressors from week to week. I can help with that. I'll meet you where you're at and help you build a sense of agency for the change you'd like to author in your life. Together we'll discover what works and what doesn't, and we'll explore how thoughts, feelings and behaviors are helping or harming.

I believe that long- lasting, meaningful growth thrives in self-compassion, honoring shame, and creating purpose. Inherited and experienced trauma can remain in the body and inform our choices, so one of my goals is to offer a guiding hand in disentangling negative core beliefs from the body and sense of self. My therapeutic practice is filtered through a strengths-based and feminist lens, and as a queer therapist, I aim to foster an LGBTQIA+ affirming space, challenge racist systems, encourage body empowerment at every size, and promote sex-positivity.

We often feel overwhelmed, out of control, or caught in patterns we can’t seem to escape. Many of us move around the world carrying secret struggles with negative thoughts, emotions, or urges, which disturb our day-to-day life and make waves in our relationships. Clients who seek my support are resourceful, and have typically already tried all of the tools in their existing toolbox. We are searching collaboratively for new pathways to positive change.

I am a queer-identified therapist with significant personal and professional experience providing LGBTQIA+ affirmative care for folks across stages of sexuality and gender exploration, transition and expression. I enjoy supporting people of diverse backgrounds and work to honor the complexities of each person’s own identity intersection. I have experience working with a variety of types of trauma and expressions of trauma including PTSD, C-PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, disordered eating, relational issues and more. I provide relationship therapy extending to platonic, polyamorous, aromantic/asexual partnerships.

I believe clients are their own experts in life. I work collaboratively with them to increase self-awareness and understanding around thoughts, feelings, memories, and emotions in order to improve current and future functioning.

Congratulations on taking this step and beginning your search for a counselor. I believe therapy works best when there is a good fit between a client and their therapist. In my role, this involves being flexible, open and transparent in order to help you define and work towards your goals. I assist clients in empowering themselves, by building on their strengths, promoting insight, and providing a safe space for them to explore their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, histories, identities, values, and relationships.

I believe that all human beings have infinite worth and the ability to grow and change. Utilizing my multicultural background, experiences as a woman of color, and a first-generation immigrant from India, influences my approach to counseling. My focus is on establishing and nurturing client-centered, one-to-one relationships. I aim to help you build awareness by engaging in creative problem-solving, formulating your coping strategies, and focusing on your strength and resiliency.

I believe that problems are best understood in the context of relationships - with loved ones, with intimate partners, and with oneself. Perhaps you are noticing room for improvement in one or in multiple relationships, or perhaps you have a strong desire for increased understanding of yourself and others. It takes a great deal of insight and strength to even begin this journey towards greater harmony. My hope as a clinician is to help foster within you a sense of renewed curiosity, compassion, and hope as you undertake this journey.

Therapy can be a radical process of transformation providing healing, greater sense of belonging, emotional freedom, and hope. I view therapy as a dynamic collaboration that allows for the exploration of current circumstances as well as the discovery of underlying personal and cultural patterns. In addressing your full individual self within your cultural context, we can find not only easing or resolution of symptoms but also a fuller and more meaningful life.

Life is full of “shoulds.” Family, friends, and society often have a very clear idea of the path we’re supposed to be on, but we believe that peace and empowerment lie in finding your own path- worrying less about the expectations of others and more about what you want your life to look like. Taking an alternative path or changing route along the way is difficult. Therapy can help as you strive to be true to yourself on the journey. We offer a space where individuals learn to utilize their personal strengths to live their most meaningful lives, develop fulfilling relationships, and find true liberation.

I believe that an open and connected therapeutic relationship is the most important means for healing and growth. To me, therapy is a partnership fostered through consent, input, and feedback as the process unfolds. My primary practice areas are depression, anxiety, stress management, grief/life-stage transitions, trauma, substance abuse/addiction, and relational difficulties.

Are you going through the world trying to navigate systems that aren't made for you? Are you looking for validation and care, as well as tools and skills? The work that I do in the therapeutic space is well suited for clients looking for an affirming, non-judgmental space to process their experiences and make changes towards their best vision of themselves. More than modalities, I believe that it is the strength of the therapeutic relationship that can guide folks towards change and transformation. As a white queer person, I have worked to develop an intersectional lens, making sure to hold space for folks with varying identities.

My ideal client is someone who is looking to build understanding of themselves, their behavior patterns, and their values. I am particularly interested in supporting folks living in fat/larger bodies, folks with body image concerns, folks seeking body liberation and folks recovering from disordered eating. I also am interested in working with adolescents and caregivers. I work best with folks who want to live a life that is in alignment with their values and interests. Some issues that I have experience working with are anxiety, depression, body image concerns, obsessions, compulsions, suicidal ideation and traumatic experiences.

It would be ideal for us to be motivated to improve our lives when things are going well. More often than not, we only make changes to our lives during times of darkness. In our work together, we can focus on finding the beauty, joy, and peace in your life. We can step into the darkness together with curiosity.

Let’s face it–shit has hit the fan. Between the pandemic, systems of oppression, and so much uncertainty...we’re all trying to figure it out. Plus, you have things you were already dealing with– depression, trauma responses, grief, existential questions...Maybe you’re tired of “blank slate” therapists. You want to explore healing through art and creativity instead of just talking. You want space to process your past & present experiences and to deepen your understanding of and reconnect with yourself. You’re looking for someone who "gets" it– who validates your lived experience and who has been on that side of the couch.

As a trauma and couples therapist, I work with survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence and those impacted by traumatic generational cycles or systemic oppression. Depression, anxiety, issues with focus and attention, rumination, chronic pain, identity crisis, and relationship issues act as alarms that tell us things need to change. Seeking therapy can be an empowering first step in reclaiming trust in yourself, your body, and your relationships. In couples therapy, we will work on communication, rebuilding intimacy and sexuality, and creating security and stability while ditching social scripts that don't serve you anymore.