Therapists in Cook County, IL

Where we are can often feel like an impossible place to start, but you don’t have to start alone. It takes an enormous amount of courage to open up and share oneself, and it is my privilege to listen. How we are raised and socialized has lasting effects, but we need not be bound to this. We can change, grow, and choose to live differently. I am here to partner with you to help you achieve your goals and live a fulfilling life.

(She/Her/Hers) Over the years, I have built a practice devoted to improving the lives of people from a wide variety of backgrounds, struggling with a number of different issues. More recently, I have shifted my focus from clinical practice to the training of pre-licensed and early career therapists. I very much enjoy mentoring as it gives me the opportunity to share all that I have learned in my two decades of providing psychotherapy.

As a therapist, I strive to ensure that the largest influence on your life story is your genuine self, not judgment, worry, fear, or external entities. To do this, I help you: identify what has held you down or is holding you back, discard unnecessary judgment, and leave behind what no longer serves you, so that you can embrace positive change.

I discover objectively what is the issue, applying the best treatment for abuse, aging, alcohol/substance use, anger, anxiety, attention deficit, autism spectrum disorders, bereavement, cancer, career consultation, coping, criminal charges, custody, delinquency, dementia, depression, divorce, DUI, dyslexia, hyperactivity, hypnosis, individualized education plans, insomnia, job loss, learning disability, lower productivity, neuropsychological exams, panic attacks, parenting, personal injury, personality tests, post automobile accident, relationships, stress, trauma, TBI, underachievement, vocational guidance, workers compensation.

Whether you desire to make changes, heal wounds or develop a more genuine and authentic life, Aimee invites you to partner with her in creating a safe, supportive space for reflection and growth. Examine, explore and discover how maintain a more gratifying and joyful lifestyle. As your story unfolds, she tailors a wholistic approach that meets your personal needs, goals and aspirations.

My overarching goal for any of my clients is to have an improved life, in whatever area that they are seeking to manage and improve.

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.

Do you want to feel better? Do you want to feel more in control of your life? I see clients through teleterapy and in-person. I will help you find the solutions you need to feel in charge of your life. I have worked with people of all ages and backgrounds for the past twenty three years. I am confident that I can help you if you are willing to take the steps necessary to change your life. The first step is to have the courage to reach out for help when you need it. I will provide the professional care that you need in a safe, caring, and comforting environment.

My career as a therapist has afforded me opportunities to work with individuals from all walks of life. I immigrated to the United States from Kiev, Ukraine and feel intimately familiar with the challenges faced by all of the groups I mentioned. I am able to work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families and treat a wide variety of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, adjustment difficulties, grief / loss, relationship problems, family conflict, and addiction. I am proud member of Chicagoland’s Ukraine Community and am fluent in the Russian and Ukrainian languages.

I'm a licensed clinical counselor who is experienced, knowledgeable, and accepting. I use clinically researched and unique approaches to address the wide ranges of identity, emotional and thinking issues faced in traditional and modern times. My education, experiences, and personal background allow me to address the complexity of cases a client brings to sessions.

All of us are striving to be true to ourselves and our loved ones around us. Feeling authentic and true to who we are can assist us in living life the way we would like to. Sometimes, our mood-related difficulties and our life experiences can get in the way our authenticity. You could be experiencing mood-related difficulties as a reaction to grief, trauma, depression, substance use, chronic illnesses, identity issues, cross-cultural issues, and relational difficulties, which I specialize in working with.

I'm Justin Kozak. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 10 years of clinical experience, and I am open to working with anyone; and have a wide range of experience treating Substance Use, Behavioral Issues, Anger Management, Depression, Trauma, and PTSD. I use Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Multicultural and Solution Focused Brief Therapies during a treatment session with my clients. I believe counseling is a partnership that assists you in exploring and addressing your mental, emotional, and behavioral needs.

Have you been struggling with feelings of sadness, anxiety or panic attacks? Or are you tired of people using you or struggling to get motivated? I provide compassionate care while providing the tools and information to help you heal. Other challenges like drugs/alcohol, bipolar disorder; or if you're not sure what the problem is but need help and support, I will work with you to help you live a better, healthier life. My extensive experience also includes helping children, teens and adults impacted by foster care, have been adopted, are birth parents, or who are adoptive/ foster parents.

Through more than 20 years of experience, I have worked extensively with individuals, couples and multi-generational families providing treatment for a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. I grew up in a large & humble home; learning and understanding the complexities of dealing with different types of personalities, sometimes in difficult circumstances at an early age. My goal is to see clients do amazing work in treatment by strengthening their coping skills, removing limiting beliefs, resolving conflicts, and lifestyle changes through a positive way of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

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?

Congratulations. You have taken the first big step for yourself and/or your relationship. The thought of therapy may feel a bit intimidating, but you won't know the difference it could make until you try. As a therapist with a specialization in Marriage and Family Counseling, I also help individuals, that may be struggling with anxiety, depression, infidelity, substance abuse, grief, divorce, and navigating a blended family. Together, we will set goals, acquire tools and develop coping mechanisms that will strengthen relationships, build confidence and uncover the true potential within each individual.

I believe that every individual has the ability to achieve their personal goals and live the life they aspire to lead. Often individuals find themselves in a situation that has them stuck in one place, I can help you move forward. I help my clients identify the challenges that are preventing them from achieving their goals, help create a unique and specific plan for each individual, and assist with any obstacles that might get in the way. Committing to change can be challenging, but you do not have to do it alone.

Are you searching for peace of mind or looking for emotional stability? Do you want to learn how to effectively direct your life so you can have experiences that align with your expectations? If you are looking to be an active participant in your healing and committed to taking responsibility for your life, today is a great day for us to begin working together!

In-person & telehealth available: Brighter Pathways, PLLC is a small group practice currently offering individual, couples, family, and group therapies. Our therapists value collaboration, education, and transparency because treatment should make sense to you. In order to best meet your needs, your therapist will strive to understand your unique circumstances. We believe in a team approach to treatment. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your personal goals and struggles. We offer a safe, supportive, and open environment for you to explore your struggles and strive for personal growth.