Therapists in Near West Side, Chicago, IL

I identify as a queer person of color and hope to best serve those communities who feel underrepresented in professional fields. Common areas that I work with are trauma, gender identity and expression, career related difficulties, couples/interpersonal relationship issues, and mood/anxiety disorders. I work heavily with the linguistic ways we approach "problems" and through a narrative and solutions focused approach we would work on restoring your sense freedom as you navigate life's difficulties.

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.

My approach to therapy is integrative and is relationally focused. My lens is existential and focused on finding meaning in what seems to be an increasingly chaotic, meaningless world of information overload, technology, climate change, and social unrest. I believe that mental health goes beyond alleviating symptoms and that we have the capacity to experience greater joy, creativity, meaning, and fulfilling relationships in life. I have interest and experience working with those who identify as LGBTQ+, first-generation college students, and issues of grief, trauma, burnout, loneliness, isolation, career and life transitions.

What's your definition of birthright? As we grow, family, culture, and society can assign meaning that does not serve our best interest but theirs. Devastatingly, we're often taught to point the finger back at ourselves when things go wrong. But I believe we heal and thrive when we nurture healthy intrinsic (fundamental to who we are) connection to ourselves and others. This work creates a safety net allowing us to build self-esteem and adapt without losing our personal power. Pursuing the arts with a former career as a performer, choreographer, and artistic director, I strongly relate to "fitting-in while trying to stand-out".

Life is a work in progress, and progress isn't always a linear path. It's inevitable to have hurdles along the way, and we sometimes need support to better cope with these hurdles. I'm a firm believer in You being the most important person in Your life. You matter most, you know yourself best, and are the star of your life story. I want to be able to offer an empathetic, nonjudgmental, and safe space for you to process your thoughts and feelings, adding a bit of humor along the way. I want to be along side with you, to help you see your own strength, and work collaboratively with you to help cope with the daily hurdles of life.

Our lives are made up of stories. Some chapters are beautiful, while some can be tragic. As we create our own narrative to the events of our lives, rushing to find some semblance of normalcy, we often become lost, challenged, overwhelmed. We forget there is beauty and resiliency in not only the events that bring us joy, but also the events that may not. As a licensed social worker, I work with you to identify meaning in each story that you share, finding a new and clearer perspective so you may live a happier life.

I believe in the power of restorative practices and that each and every one of us has a story and I believe in the power of having our stories heard. I also believe that we all deserve a space where that story can be heard without judgment, fear or trepidation. I want to know yours. I want to walk alongside you as you share your story and work through your journey of healing and restoration. I won't ever perceive to be the expert in your life but I will always be honest, receptive and give you my best.

I believe that everyone deserves a non-judgmental space to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and reality, however, that may look. As a supportive clinician, I like working with teens, adults 18+, parents, and families. For over 9 years, I have supported individuals and families in crisis settings strengthening my knowledge as a trauma-informed therapist. I am also comfortable supporting individuals who are not experiencing trauma and are just looking for maintenance on a wide range of topics: substance use, behavioral concerns, work- or home-related stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, gender, culture, and sexuality.

Beginning therapy and choosing a therapist can be scary and overwhelming, but I am excited that you are taking this step! As your therapist, I will empower you to reach your goals and be there for you through life's many stressors. I enjoy working with clients who are seeking support after experiencing adversity, processing current or past traumas, addressing beliefs and behaviors that no longer serve them, and exploring who they are and want to be. I believe in the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the many layers of my client's identities, and I aim to create a safe space to explore your unique context and experiences.

I work with clients who feel burned out - whether at work, in school, or any other area of life - but who have responsibilities they can't just walk away from. I understand the challenges that come with trying to thrive under alienating, capitalistic conditions.

Joie is a North Side resident, and a proud member of the Queer, Neurodiverse, and Chronically Ill/ Disabled communities. They believe in nurturing and cherishing these identities (as well as all others!), and challenging social norms with the radical act of being yourself. Joie is a former social emotional and sexual health educator, and has worked with young people in various capacities for over 10 years. They’ve worked both in the schools and via Telehealth to provide therapy to children, adolescents, and emerging adults, focusing primarily on acute and complex trauma, and gender/sexuality development.

It can feel very nerve-wracking to think about starting therapy and overwhelming in trying to find the right therapist. Truly, the hardest step in this journey is taking that first step by reaching out. My passion is in helping you lift the burden you’ve been carrying and identifying ways of bettering your relationship with yourself and others in your life. Many people struggle with feeling like in order to be strong they need to push through and avoid the hurt they’ve been carrying, and that shows up in detrimental ways in their relationships and in their careers.

Life’s challenges happen suddenly. Without warning it feels like you can’t navigate through with confidence and calm. Instead, you are plagued with worry, hesitation, anxiety, and depression. At times, life feels like a ticking time bomb, and you are desperately searching for an effective means to diffuse it. But your coping skills aren’t working well enough, or maybe they weren’t that healthy in the first place. How are you supposed to get comfortable with the challenges you are experiencing, let alone feel you are responding in a healthy way, when everything around you – maybe even your person – can be so unpredictable?

BCBS ppo/self-pay. Licensed in IL and FL. Telehealth only. You're a motivated adult or couple dealing with issues of trauma-related anxiety/depression. Maybe things have happened to you; maybe you do things even you don't understand. But there are reasons why. Let's figure it out together, looking at your patterns and attachment styles and resolve it with EMDR and newer techniques, including fast, simple polyvagal exercises that reduce anxiety and depression. You deserve empathy and the innovative techniques, so you can create your own feelings of self-esteem, security and wellness.

Sometimes life throws us challenges that are too overwhelming to handle alone. As a trauma informed and culturally sensitive therapist, I understand the importance of allowing space and time for healing in a non-judgmental space. As your therapist, my priority is that you feel comfortable as we work through these difficulties together. My approach is collaborative, as your voice is equally important. This is your lived experience, and my role is to help guide and gently empower you towards realizing a better version of yourself.

You are enough. Your life is worth living. People love you deeply. Your existence is, itself, a wonder. A miracle you're even here speaking to whomever you're speaking to, hurting however you're hurting, laughing over whatever. You series of unlikely events. You star-hearted little fiend. You've made a mess of everything. That's part of being alive. Now we will fix it. Which is also part of being alive. You're doing just fine. - Author unknown

Life’s journey sometimes takes us on an unwanted detour or a journey where we lose direction. It is this passion that I strive to assist those on the path to healing from the hurts of life and finding direction on the journey. Processing of information and experiences is just one portion of the healing process. As individuals we all experience life stressors at some point in our lives. It’s when those same stressors/traumas cause our lives to unravel that I am here to help you get life back in order and on track.

"Surviving keeps you from living." Often times we are faced with a part of us that refuses to pause and work through those feelings or issues that can be causing discomfort. Instead, it tells us to press on and keep going. The idea that in order to function we must suppress our feelings or emotions tends to have longterm negative effects. If you are tired of just surviving, waking up and pushing through, then it is time for you to learn how to fully live in your truth.

I am a Black, queer therapist that has 6 years worth of experience working with the following topics: trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, life transitions, and interpersonal. I also feel comfortable addressing issues related to kink, BDSM, polyamory, and other sexuality and intimacy concerns. I also am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP).