Therapists in Park Ridge, IL

Aging can be difficult--whether your own or in people you love. You might be grieving the loss of treasured relationships, frustrated with declining health, struggling with caregiving and changing roles ... or simply wanting to age gracefully. Many people experience worry, depression, and anger at times like this; others feel tired or overwhelmed; few know where to turn for information and guidance you can trust, from people who might understand. Aging is my specialty, and I would like the chance to help you reach some peace with your midlife crisis, life transition, grief or pain, caregiving, ... your life.

Do you experience moments that are confusing and overwhelming? Do you find yourself searching for answers to overcome obstacles that prevent you from living your best life? Therapy is an avenue to explore your unique situation and assist in obtaining skills to find success. Utilizing various evidence based approaches, one can become empowered to manage life challenges.

Do you, your child, or a loved one suffer from brain related issues such as ADHD, autism, learning disorders, concussion, dementia, stroke, anxiety, depression, or other issues? If so, I can help. As a clinical psychologist and board certified neurofeedback specialist, I have the expertise and skill set required to assess and improve brain functioning. My assessment services include neuropsychological assessment and quantitative EEG (qEEG) brain mapping, and my treatment services include psychotherapy, neurofeedback and photobiomodulation for a wide variety of issues. (I am no longer accepting psychotherapy clients at this time).

In the course of our lives, we may experience challenges that can throw us off-balance in unexpected ways. These challenges can lead to depression, anxiety, relationship problems and substance abuse. Using a strengths-based approach, together we identify the tools you can use to better understand and address these challenges in order to regain balance in your life. This process will allow you to make the skillful choices you need to live the life you desire.

Currently accepting new patients. I believe each person has an innate capacity for growth and self-awareness just waiting to be explored. If you are navigating challenging life transitions, a blend of personal and professional challenges, have relationship issues, dealing with feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, lack of fulfillment in various aspects of your life, or perhaps on a quest for a deeper sense of self-discovery, an existential-integration approach may provide a collaborative and compassionate space for you to reflect upon your experiences, gain clarity about your values, and deepen your understanding of yourself.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who enjoys working with individuals, families and groups in diverse populations. I have experience in child therapy, grief therapy, training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA Therapy), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Sometimes life's problems can seem overwhelming, or make us feel stuck in place. I would enjoy helping you find a way beyond whatever is holding you back. Even as losses seem to block or narrow our paths forward, I have to believe that exciting challenges and possibilities continue to draw us onward, if we can hold fast to the notion that we humans, working together, are forever capable of growth and change. I can especially help you with aging, transitions, depression, anxiety, trauma, and religious/existential issues, as well as affirmative approaches to LGBTQI+ concerns.

It takes a great deal of courage to share your experiences with someone, and I am honored to walk this journey with you! Together we can explore how current (and past) stressors and uncertainties may be impacting your lived experience. I aim to co-create an open and warm therapeutic space of collaboration where we can unfold your experiences and culture while strengthening insight, healthy coping skills, and self-compassion. In this process we can explore a holistic understanding of your self in the context of your relationships and the world. I offer easy-to-use, HIPAA-compliant TeleHealth/teletherapy services.

I work to create an atmosphere that is safe for my clients. I may use humor, ask more questions, make comments. As we progress, I will suggest new ways to approach situations and problems. Sometimes I teach my clients relaxation techniques. We talk. I listen. Sometimes I teach or even pray with my clients. In my office, folks are invited to be direct, to be honest, and to know that there will be no judgment of them for revealing their "dark side." Their challenge is reveal who and what they are. Mine is to make it safe.

Life gets complicated. You have been trying all that you know how to do to make things better for yourself or for someone you love but have run out of energy, ideas or both. You may have a relationship with someone you love but just can't seem to get along. You may be a parent trying to best figure out how to help a child or teen who is having problems. You may feel burdened by sadness, fear or stress.Or, perhaps you have old wounds that seem to keep interfering with you creating the life you want.

All services will be provided via Teletherapy and phone sessions due to COVID-19 pandemic. All sessions are conducted via a confidential telehealth platform.

Life is messy. Relationships are messy. Parenting . . . really messy. Whatever it is that's going on, perhaps your situation is leaving you anxious, depressed, discouraged, and maybe even a little hopeless at times. I Imagine you're here because you don't want to feel this way anymore. You're ready for something - anything, really - to change. Maybe someone encouraged you to reach out because they're worried about you. Maybe you're worried too. The good news is it doesn't have to be this way. It's your life to live. Let's work together to find out who YOU are and what matters most to you.

At The Juniper Center you will find LGBTQ centered care. We are owned and directed by a therapist and a member of our community. Your name, your pronouns, your identity belong to you. Helping you heal belongs with us. You don't want to have to hide any of who you are. Whether your gender does not match your body, your identity does not match your gender, you love someone born the same sex as you or you love someone who is working their way through these issues, we are here to help. Perhaps you are a parent wanting to understand your child, or to help your child find a positive way through confusing issues.

Do you sometimes feel like you can't get beyond events that have happened in your life? Do you feel troubled or haunted by them despite your best efforts to move on? Are you withdrawn, unpredictable or irritable, releasing your feelings on the ones you love most. You may feel like you can't control your emotions or life. We work to help you understand what is happening in your brain and body that prevent you from digesting what has happened and to help you put it in the past, to move on. At The Juniper Center, we're helping you live your best life.

Maybe you or someone you care about seems to have lost control of your ability to drink, take medication, eat, gamble, have sex, use the internet, play video games in a way that is not disruptive or harmful to you or the ones you love. Is someone telling you that your behavior is a problem? Are you unable to consistently predict whether or not you can stop once you start? Do you find yourself planning, thinking about or engaging in the behavior when you need to be attending to other things in your life like relationships, work or school?

Life gets complicated. You may be trying all that you know how to do to make things better for yourself or for someone you love but have run out of energy, ideas or both. You may have a relationship with someone you love but just can't seem to get along. You may be a parent trying to best figure out how to help a child or teen who is having problems. You may feel burdened by sadness, fear or stress.Or, perhaps you have old wounds that seem to keep interfering with you creating the life you want.

Are you ready to take the next step in your life? I provide therapy to those who want to overcome struggles and trauma in their lives. I have experience aligning my person centered approach with individuals, families, couples, veterans, ex-gang members and professionals in the field of social work, nursing, and therapists.*At this time I am not available for new clients. Waiting list only.

   •    COVID-19  UPDATE:   http://margaretgrau.net/covid/    •     I help people to discover the best within themselves, and to use their strengths to overcome internal and external obstacles to success. I am interested in working with a wide range of clients and concerns. My approach is to work collaboratively to resolve conflicts that may be impeding your progress.

The experience of intense and often painful emotions is a normal part of human existence, sometimes this struggle can become so overwhelming it begins to greatly impact one's ability to function, maintain and improve interpersonal relationships, and lead a valued life; leaving us feeling stuck. Therapy allows us to process these emotions, stop the experiential avoidance, and develop more constructive and adaptive ways of dealing with life's challenges and transitions. Through a collaborative, empathic, and values-based relationship, we can work towards increasing one's psychological flexibility, behavioral workability, and coping skills to live a life worth living