Therapists in Lake View, Chicago, IL

I’m Abbie, a dedicated intern therapist specializing in supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, and anxiety. With years in the field I have developed a passion for mental health and am eager to provide empathetic and effective support tailored to my clients needs. I aim to help my clients develop their self compassion, resilience, and overall satisfaction with life. By utilizing a strengths-based approach, my clients work toward meeting their goals.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience working with individuals, couples and families facing the challenges life presents when dealing with change and transition. Psychotherapy offers a safe place to explore difficult emotions, gain new perspective and heal from painful losses. My approach combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, family systems theory, narrative therapy and psychodynamics. I place great emphasis on the therapeutic relationship with my clients and believe that the right personal "fit" is crucial to a successful therapeutic relationship and, in turn, to facilitating greater self-awareness and personal growth.

Seeking mental health treatment is courageous; taking that leap will be your first success of many. You might be facing new and difficult life challenges. My goal is to assist you in feeling more effective in how you face them. As a therapist, I prioritize warmth and validation to help you understand yourself, find ways to cope, and meet your goals. I work primarily with emerging and established adults who are managing anxiety, disordered eating, life transitions, relationship issues, and chronic pain. I also help parents feel more confident in handling behavioral challenges and emotional regulation concerns in children.

It is normal, on occasion, for everyone to experience some anxiety dealing with life. But lately those feelings have become overwhelming. Over time, it feels like you are anxious about everything, and nothing. The worry is starting to creep into every aspect of your life- work, family, relationships,... even going to get out of bed feels overwhelming some days! You are not going crazy, and you are not alone- anxiety is one of the most common reasons people reach out to for help. Therapy can help get things back to normal.

Life can be difficult and messy, but also beautiful. I believe wholeheartedly in helping others find the beauty and balance the uncertainty in their lives through a collaborative process. As your therapist, I will listen and provide support and guidance on your journey. I believe growth and change are best fostered in an environment where you feel heard, seen, respected, safe, and valued. My goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space where growth is cultivated to find a deeper understanding of self and ultimately evolve as you discover the power within yourself to create lasting change.

In my 10 years of practice as a psychotherapist, I have worked with people facing many struggles, including surviving past trauma and abuse, feeling suicidal, and severe/chronic mental illness. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I have worked with many people who identify as LGBTQ, and have supported people through coming out, gender transition, and accessing gender-affirming health care. As a white therapist, when working with BIPOC clients, I use the frameworks of anti-racism and cultural humility, and strive to make space for exploring the impacts of racism and racial differences.

Our motto is "where mind and body meet." We passionately believe that we cannot improve mental health without addressing physical health, and that in order to increase physical performance, we must incorporate mental skills training. You are not a one-size-fits-all, so the approach our therapists take with you shouldn't be either. We take a step back and look at your life as a whole - what are all of the components that make you, you? What are the factors in your life that have been out of whack, maybe for awhile? How can we treat the whole of who you are, rather than a list of symptoms you bring in?

Dr. Fortman serves as clinical faculty at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and in full-time private practice. A former member of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute (SOGI) and staff psychologist at the Center on Halsted, he continues to provide supervision to graduate students. He trained at The Ohio State University, University of Virginia, and Sarah Lawrence College and has worked onsite at Google and Uber. Dr. Fortman is experienced in helping people who are struggling with relationship difficulties, anxiety & depression, low self esteem, LGBT related issues, grief, abuse & neglect, and trauma.

As a health psychologist, I work with clients who have physical and emotional conditions that are getting in the way of being able to live the lives they want. I help clients identify and follow through on changes they can make to improve their well-being. I use a behavioral approach supplemented with biofeedback and hypnosis. I also work with couples who are struggling to find ways to get closer together and feel like they are truly partners in their relationship. The key to my approach is to find effective ways to get what you want from your life.

Self-care and healthy relationships can have a significant impact on an individual's mental health. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, I believe in enhancing personal growth. I am dedicated to being an attentive and active listener. I will work collaboratively with you to develop short and long-term goals and in identifying barriers to accomplishing and maintaining these goals. My support and encouragement can instill hope and motivation to change by developing healthy coping skills.

I believe you are the expert in your own life, and I am here to empower you to be the best version of yourself. I take a humanistic approach and practice cultural humility in my work with clients. I can support you with role transitions, such as parenthood, pregnancy, relationships, and significant life events, such as trauma, loss, chronic illness, and aging. If you are struggling with your identity and place in the world, I can help with a balance of compassion and guidance.

Primary Care Psychology Associates, LLC is the premier provider of outpatient adult and pediatric psychological services in Central and Northern Chicagoland. We provide comprehensive pediatric (0-18) and adult psychological services, including psychological assessment, consultation, and psychotherapy (individual, couples, and family). Our locations are accessible and conveniently located close to major transportation hubs throughout the greater Chicago area. For more information on our locations and our therapists, please visit www.pcpachicago.com

My areas of expertise: couples, premarital counseling, interracial relationships, multicultural families, teen pregnancy/parenthood, parenthood, infertility and pregnancy concerns, infidelity, divorce, remarriage and/or blending families, helping you and your partner if you have different attachment styles, and singles who are navigating dating, going through breakups or are unsure if they should stay or leave a relationship.

Dr. Jessica Towsky is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois. She earned both her Masters of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Psychology Degrees (Psy.D.) from the APA-Accredited Clinical Psychology program at Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. She earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree (B.A.) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Towsky completed a clinical internship at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and a postdoctoral fellowship at Kaiser Permanente in San Rafael, California.

I continually work to create an environment that feels safe, warm, and supportive for each person. My goals as a therapist are to establish connection, to be adaptable and creative enough that differences are respected and more alternatives explored, and to identify strengths that can be used as a foundation for coping. As a part of the process, goals are set to create balance between work, life, and self. Ultimately, an ideal client would recognize the need for more or a need for something to change in their situation and be brave enough to take the first major step and call.

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 believe that we, as humans, are all worthy and capable of healing. Our life experiences, backgrounds, and circumstances play a significant role in the way we feel and express our emotions. I strive to create a comforting therapeutic space, defined by acceptance and cultural humility. My treatment approach is rooted in strengths-based treatment, intending to guide you in understanding the powerful influence our thoughts have on our behaviors and emotions. I understand the impact of childhood experiences and relationships through life and the role they play in our emotional expression.

I believe in a holistic approach to counseling and therapy and provide full-spectrum and client-specific treatment in a warm and non-judgmental setting. Most of us lead complicated and stressful lives and often find ourselves unable to cope with the many challenges facing us on a daily basis. I utilize an eclectic approach to therapy and draw from various therapeutic approaches to address the unique needs of each client. I also incorporate mindfulness, breathing, and meditation into sessions when it is appropriate for dealing with stress, anxiety, and related issues.

(No Openings At the Moment) Let’s face it: life can be tough. Have you tried everything to feel calm and content, yet nothing sticks? It can be scary to get help from a counselor -- you want to be sure that they are attuned to your struggles and understand your complicated situations. I specialize in helping individuals and couples with anxiety, depression, trauma, and relational issues. I also provide a safe space for cross-cultural adjustment, identity formation, and self-esteem enhancement. Only research-based approaches are offered so you can feel better, faster.