Therapists in Wilmette, IL

Much like the character Hamlet says to his friend in the play by William Shakespeare “there is more in heaven and earth than is dreamt of in our philosophy”. There is so much about life and living, loving and losing than we can possibly understand. Whatever philosophical ideas we hold, there is so much that remains unknowable. Because it resonates with my own respect for and curiosity about the mystery of being alive, my clinical practice is informed by existential thinking. Why is this happening? How can I survive? What does it mean? These are the questions underlying our reactions to and feelings about our lives.

Are you going through a life transition or have anxiety, depression, or relationship issues? Whatever your reason(s) for entering therapy, I will work with you to find your way forward. As a psychodynamic therapist, I'll help you to get to the roots of issues, so you can begin to shift outworn mindsets and habits to help you move towards the person you want to be and having the kind of life and relationships you want to have. Therapy offers a safe space to gain new insights, perspectives and tools, for your own growth and self-empowerment. I see myself as your companion and guide in therapy.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), certified IFS therapist (level 3 trained), and certified IFS clinical consultant who provides individual and couples therapy and consultation. I understand that it takes a lot of courage to begin the process of therapy, so I work to create a safe and non-judgmental space for my clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I appreciate the uniqueness of each client's experience and strive to meet each client where they are at. I collaborate with them to create a treatment approach that is flexible, effective, and aligned with their goals for change and healing.

I work with adults from college through retirement who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loss and grief, career and life transitions, and other stressors. I am a warm, inspiring presence ready to partner with you with a style that is both intuitive and solution focused. I am client centered and can help you clarify issues; work through long-standing problems; develop strategies for living with more fulfillment; become a more effective communicator, and less self-critical. I also work with clients experiencing unexplained infertility, hoarding disorder, and chronic insomnia. I currently do telephone or video sessions.

Tricia uses a holistic approach to healing and has extensive training in many different modalities including Reiki, IET (Integrative Energy Therapy), Yoga/Meditation, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and mindfulness training. In using the Contextual Change Model, she incorporates these various modalities depending on the needs of the client. She approaches the therapeutic relationship in a collaborative way, focusing on the client’s strengths, helping the client to deepen agency and self-awareness, emphasizing compassion and empathy throughout treatment. Tricia is currently teaching yoga/meditation at her home in Wilmette.

Hello, I'm Dr. Chris Chroniak. For 38 years I have assisted individuals struggling with depression, stress and anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, divorce, OCD, a relationship or lack of one, as well as numerous other psychological and emotional issues. I begin therapy by developing a warm and genuine relationship with my client. We then work together to explore and work through the underlying issues that block growth and cause pain or discomfort. I also teach my clients practical and effective tools that help them deal with painful and troubling thoughts and feelings, as they occur, moment by moment.

I am a seasoned therapist who, like my clients, is in an evolving journey of making sense of life and its challenges. I spent the first part of my career specializing in the treatment of adolescents and families. For the past two decades, my practice has come to include a great deal of work with individual adults and couples who are struggling with issues related to mental health, self-esteem, trauma, relationship difficulties, and life stage concerns. I enjoy working with the challenges of emerging adults as well as those in mid-life and beyond.

Layla Byrnes is a compassionate Licensed Social Worker based in Illinois, bringing a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to her practice. With a journey that began in Philosophy, Layla holds a Bachelor of Arts and furthered her education with a Master of Social Work and a Master of Arts in Public Policy. Since obtaining her license in 2018, Layla has dedicated herself to creating a safe and inclusive space for individuals seeking growth, self-discovery, and authentic connections. Layla is proud to declare her practice as Queer- and Kink-friendly, fostering an environment that embraces diversity .

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I am extensively trained to work with individuals of every age and stage of development, along with additional specialized training for couples and families. I apply a systemic perspective and strength-based and resilience approach with clients, while blending evidence-based theory into practice. I work with life stage transitions, marital satisfaction and intimacy issues, high conflict, anxiety, depression, divorced or remarried or blended families, anger management, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, multi-cultural communication, stress management, family of origin issues, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, spiritual development, and work/life balance.

All of us -- women and men, young and old, poor, middle class and upscale folks, minorities and majorities -- have to deal with complexity. As a therapist I help heal hurts from the past, assist clients in managing present challenges, and work collaboratively to create more satisfying future lives. The people who see me for individual, couples and family therapy represent a culturally diverse group. Their difficulties range from anxiety and depression, to stress disorders, OCD/OCPD, relationship problems, employment issues, and bereavement. Many of these women and men report quick progress in better managing their personal, family, academic, and work lives.

My style is relational and humanistic and my goal is to help each client tap into and achieve his/her true potential. I work interactively with clients to help foster clarity about what is truly desired and help to identify and modify problematic patterns and themes that stand in the way of increased self, life and relationship satisfaction. Growth, change and helping clients move toward their own vision of peace, fulfillment and happiness is always the goal. I take a holistic approach to psychological wellness and honor the client's work life, family traditions, sexual orientation, cultural & spiritual beliefs.

When life becomes difficult or overwhelming, reaching out for professional support can be intimidating, but worth it in the end! I'd love to be able to walk with you through this challenging time in your life. As a therapist, I am relational and tailor treatment to your unique needs. I have years of experience working with adults, couples, adolescents and children. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist I have been in practice since 1998. I earned my doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and trained at University of Chicago Hospitals and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

My work years ago with adolescents led naturally to working more closely with parents, who often struggle themselves during this turbulent time for their children. A third of my practice is with adolescents (anxiety, depression, academic underachievement, identity issues), another third with parents and couples/marriage (with or without children), and the other third with individual adults (anxiety, depression, issues of generativity in personal and/or professional lives).

Working from an integrated Solution Focused/Narrative Therapy framework, you can expect that I will adjust my approach to help you wade through and resolve conflicts, emotional paralysis, betrayal and other relational problems, with a newfound sense of agency, hope and courage. While the problems that bring couples in for therapy may seem daunting, perhaps even feeling insurmountable to some, my work builds on the notion that problems are given their greatest opportunity for resolution by cultivating safe, loving, and secure relational attachments.

The most important ingredient in a successful therapy experience is the therapy relationship itself. The clients who benefit the most are those who feel understood, respected and cared about, and so are better able to be more genuine and more fully engaged in the process. A basic tenet of my approach is that our fears and hurts inhibit the natural tendency within us all to grow and move toward healthier ways of functioning. Individuals who feel safe enough in therapy to face their fears can begin to "digest" their unfinished business and take back control of their lives.

My ideal style of therapy is suited to clients who believe that the relationship between therapist and client is paramount to the ability to change. I believe that change happens at the crossroads of challenge and non-judgement and this is the primary focus of my treatment- creating a safe environment in which clients believe they can present their issues and have them challenged in a supportive and non-judgemental way. I firmly believe that all clients have the ability to heal and grow regardless of personal, historical, professional and relational challenges.

My mission is helping people with their problems. I customize my therapy to my clients' needs and goals. I will work with you to find out what is the best way for you to achieve your goals and accomplish your dreams. I take a practical approach to therapy because I understand that you want results. Whether you are unsatisfied in your relationships or struggle in your everyday life, you don't need to suffer alone. I am here to help.

I believe that healing relationships, with others and with one's self, is the core ingredient for change in therapy. I feel that the optimal therapeutic approach with any person must be tailored to the needs of the particular individual and/or client system. Therapy should be approachable and create an environment of acceptance and self-love. In understanding human behavior, it is not so much about "good" or "bad" behavior, but trying to understand why we do what we do and to make sure our behaviors are constructive for ourselves and the relationships important to us.

I am a firm believer therapy can assist individuals, couples, and families achieve personal success when a safe and consistent environment is provided and when therapeutic interventions and techniques are tailored. I have a variety of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults from diverse populations in settings such as a crisis center, college counseling centers, inpatient psychiatric hospital, community mental health centers, forensic outpatient program, and private practice. With that said, I continue to love assisting others in their journey and feel honored in witnessing growth and transformation occur.