Therapists in Oak Park, IL

Making the decision to enter therapy is not an easy one. It demands courage, vulnerability, and a deep sense of self-awareness. I'm here to support you as you navigate life's challenges. I specialize in working with individuals and couples in the queer community, especially those who might be questioning their relationship with their sexuality, gender, or substance use. Whether you're grappling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationships issues or trauma, I'm here to offer guidance and understanding without judgement.

Stories have always fascinated me. They have the power to move us emotionally, to educate and instruct, to entertain us, and to cultivate true compassion and empathy through the act of sharing a story with another. They are also a powerful vehicle for how we perceive, interpret, define and live our lives, yet sometimes it can be easy to forget that we can be the authors of our story, not just a character proceeding along some previously determined narrative.

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with seven years of experience in the mental health field. I received my Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University, and since this time have received specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing,) an exciting form of therapy which can target trauma, addictions, anxiety disorders, and can improve performance in work and recreational tasks.

Welcome to mental health care! I thrive to provide all my clients with a caring and compassionate therapy experience where they can feel safe. I have 25+ years of mental health experience. As a Latina Clinician, I love working with the Latino community. My training includes trauma, domestic violence, family therapy, depression and anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD and behavioral modification. I am incorporate many skills and interventions and I am very person centered. I have CBT and DBT training as well as safety planning and group work. I look forward to working as a team with you.

It’s ok to not be ok. And when you’re not ok, it’s ok to reach out for help. Though life can often get us down, it is possible to rise above your circumstances, take control, and fight back. I believe that insight is a powerful tool in creating change within. As a therapist, I can help you better understand the connections between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. With this new insight, you can identify problematic ones and challenge, replace, or reframe them. The path to change starts with identifying your underlying needs and finding more effective ways to fulfill them.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. In therapy, I tend to take a collaborative, egalitarian approach to treatment. I am open and nonjudgmental, and I take special time to tailor treatment approaches to fit each individual therapeutic relationship. I practice from a predominately existential-phenomenological framework where individual needs, meaning-making, and pursuit of happiness are emphasized. I also incorporate elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and attachment theory as needed.

Mercedes Moreira Mayo is a bilingual (Spanish) psychotherapist.

I am here to assist others in their journey of healing. Life is wonderful but it can also give us a sense of insecurity and hardship. I have worked with many individuals providing mental health services in in-patient settings since 2015. I later started to work one-on-one with individuals with mood disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, martial issues, minority issues, first responders with family conflict, trauma and other issues that keep the individual from having an abundant life. I am here to provide you with knowledge and guidance on what your life can look like if you put faith in yourself

My ideal client or couple is seeking mental health support regarding past trauma(s), depression/anxiety, workplace stressors, relationship/sex/intimacy issues, family issues... basically anything that is impacting their ideal functioning. They want to process and put forth work towards therapeutic goals to improve their daily functioning. They may be POC, LGBTQIA+, parents, high performing professionals, and/or emerging adults. Most importantly, they are ready and willing to participate in sessions to work towards their healing.

I approach my clinical work with a grounding in my deeply-held belief that all human beings have infinite worth. My goal for all individuals with whom I work is to support each person's path towards experiencing that worth within themselves. Having worked in the mental health field for the past 16 years with children, adolescents, adults, and families, I have utilized this philosophy to guide the process of therapy with individuals having a wide range of challenges, from autism spectrum disorders to struggles with mood and anxiety to relationship problems.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

If you are ready to co-create personalize therapy goals, gain new and readily applicable insights, and learn skills to handle life's difficulties better we would be a great fit. Clients that work with me notice an overall improvement in the quality of their lives, and relationships, and experience lasting change. I firmly believe that with adequate support people can regain stability, peace of mind, and contentment. My skills and background allow me to go beyond supporting clients and also offer resources and connections needed for continued support.

You Don’t Have to Go Through Life’s Struggles Alone Often in life, our journey towards growth and happiness becomes obstructed by our past experiences. Additionally, current experiences, stressors, and traumas, can impact our mental health and well-being. Our unmanaged fear, trauma, anxiety, and depression can leave us feeling like we are not worthy of happiness or positive relationships. These underlying thoughts impact our actions and emotions and can impact our quality of life and mental health. However, you do not have to face these challenges alone.

Pursuing therapy is a brave choice. Prioritizing vulnerability over ego, recovery over shame. Recognizing the benefit of a non judgmental, therapeutic relationship is a great place to start.

Throughout life, there are times when we can feel overwhelmed, lost, isolated, and in need of extra support and guidance. Seeking the help of a therapist is a significant act of self-compassion, and connecting with the right therapist is essential. I provide a safe, inclusive space where all persons are welcomed and supported. I recognize and value each client’s unique lived experience. We explore these to uncover strengths and opportunities for growth and healing. I consider myself honored to walk with clients on their mental health journey, and grateful for the opportunity to help them achieve their favorite self!

I provide non judgemental and subjective feedback to clients who may have emotional, behavioral and mental health disorders. My keen understanding of diverse backgrounds allows me to be highly responsive to a client's individual needs and circumstances. I am also very passionate about staying current with the latest evidence-based research and techniques which may be able to benefit my clients. Building a strong rapport with my clients is of the utmost importance, allowing me to accurately assess and treat my client's emotional/mental health needs.

Each of us encounters struggle in our lives: the essential element of my approach to psychotherapy involves the sharing of these struggles in a therapeutic relationship. Once this foundation has been laid, we progress toward mutually agreed upon goals. My patients often find that problems bringing them into therapy are connected to other parts of their lives. We work together to uncover these elements and open doors to greater satisfaction and self understanding.

I believe that everyone deserves to have a safe and welcoming space to enter where they can work on whatever is on their mind without having to be concerned about what the therapist thinks or feels. Coming to therapy can be difficult because it can mean having to face some difficult truths and realizations. Your well-being is important, and you don't have to face your struggles alone. Whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or any other concern, there are therapists who are ready to listen. Together, we will work at a pace that is appropriate and manageable to achieve your goals.

Everyone goes through times of struggle and needs someone to listen, reflect and help them move forward. We specialize in working with persons who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. Trauma can lead to many life issues & symptoms that we can help you manage & alleviate. Using trauma-informed attachment focused psychotherapy we provide parents with therapeutic skills to help their children heal. I have worked with families, kids, & adults for 25 of years who have various mental illnesses and emotional challenges. Everyone deserves happiness & we can help you through the healing process to restore your mind, body & spirit.