Emotionally Focused Therapists in Oak Park, IL

Life is all about relationships--beginning with the one you have with yourself. My goal is to provide a safe place for you to explore your underlying feelings leading to a better understanding and acceptance of who you are and who you can be. I will provide you a supportive relationship as you re-gain control of your life. Changes within often change relationships with others and that can be challenging, even frightening, yet rewarding. We will work together to strengthen emotional bonds with loved ones, cope with grief and loss, deal with trauma, and maintain a sense of inner balance.

Relationships are complex and, at times, challenging to navigate. Life responsibilities, societal expectations, unexpected life events, work-related stress, and other variables can significantly impact our relationships, romantic, family, and even ourselves. As a marriage and family therapist and systemic thinker, I understand that the presenting issues my clients bring to the therapy space are far beyond symptoms, and some other elements and variables influence our emotional well-being. With the help of an experienced marriage and family therapist, you can gain more clarity in your life.

Being human is hard, especially when we find ourselves battling with the parts of ourselves that feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain. As your therapist, I will guide you in a process of welcoming all the parts of yourself, even the ones that cause distress, so that you can liberate yourself from their hold on you. I specialize in working with BIPOC/Interracial couples.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with children, teens, adults and couples. She works from a person-centered approach and has training in emotionally-focused therapy, attachment theory, EMDR, and psychodrama. Bringing a background in fine arts, music, dance, and movement, Sandra utilizes an eclectic approach to accommodate what works best for each individual, seeking to foster a safe, comfortable environment to help each client fulfill their treatment goals.

Angry, anxious, confused, or depressed because of relationship problems? Feel your partner never listens to you? Keep having the same old fights over and over? Imago Relationship Therapy is very helpful in restoring connection, safety, and romance. As a Certified Imago Therapist I enable each partner to be heard and understood so the needs of each can be met. Usually couples experience some immediate relief from the pain of alienation and begin to rediscover the love that brought them together. If your spouse won't come for counseling, come alone! I also do individual therapy, including EMDR for trauma resolution..

You make sense. Your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, sensations- they all make sense. Therapy is a great place to figure out how, and find ways you can change some of those things, or accept them and live with greater ease. In sessions with me, we will work to deepen your understanding of yourself, add skills for better tolerance of emotions and connection with others, and clarify your vision for what you want out of life. In my work with both individuals and couples, I enjoy bringing skills for better emotional awareness, communication, and values based action.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with adults and couples in a person-centered approach and have training in emotionally-focused therapy, attachment theory, EMDR, and psychodrama. I also have a fine arts, music, dance, and psychodrama background. I utilize an eclectic approach to accommodate what works best for each individual, seeking to foster a safe, comfortable environment to help each client fulfill their treatment goals. I have experience working with range of issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, divorce, extramarital affairs, relationship challenges, premarital, men's issues, and life adjustments.

In a word, my approach to therapy is relational. I am at my best when I am centered, curious and genuinely engaged in my client's experience... exploring, nuancing and understanding their unique perspective and the struggles they are facing. I believe in the importance of finding the right "fit" between client and therapist and it is for that reason that I strive to be authentic and fully engaged in every session. My training, areas of specialization and personal style are well suited for those who might be seeking to go deeper in their understanding of themselves and their relationships.

I know what it’s like to deeply love someone and yet not bring your best self to the relationship. I learned how to have a healthy relationship through facing my fears of vulnerability and failure and taking responsibility for my actions in my relationship. I seek to help couples who are highly committed to one another and are facing a crisis or struggling to connect. When there is crisis or stress, we often rely on unhelpful habits and ways of communicating that wear on our relationships. Let’s work on that love connection that you are both are wanting.

Are you looking to make a change in your life but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? I support my clients through navigating the journey of personal growth and transformation, which can often feel confusing, difficult, and scary. As your therapist, I work to understand your struggles and strengths, so that we may walk step-by-step through your discomfort and toward your goals.

Specializing in EMDR, Grief, and Perinatal Mental Health. Let's Navigate the Depths Together. As a bilingual (spanish) therapist I am here to support adults and couples navigating through life's toughest challenges. Whether you're battling feelings of depression, anxiety, or facing difficult transitions, know that you're not alone. Together, we'll equip you with the tools to overcome these obstacles and rediscover joy. Life's journey can be overwhelming, but with compassionate guidance, healing is possible. Let's embark on this journey together.

Challenges in life are unavoidable, but I believe that with the right therapist in the right environment, people can move in a positive direction. My philosophy is to empower my clients and help them discover the tools they need to move them forward in a productive, beneficial way.

The client-therapist relationship is the single most important factor in successful therapy. Taking the time to build this rapport is a crucial step when I work with someone. I also believe therapy is a collaborative process. The client must feel empowered to lead their therapy process, while I can support and guide them to meet their goals. Ideal clients include those who genuinely want to identify areas of challenge in their life and make progress. At the end of therapy sessions, my goal is for my clients to feel better than when they walked into the session.

Are you feeling off center? Whether your symptoms are physical, emotional, cognitive, or spiritual, your happiness and health matter! Anxiety and frustration are often a result of being out of alignment with your sense of self. Coming back to center is like remembering who you are. I can help you strengthen your relationship with yourself by helping you to identify your needs and set healthy boundaries. Listening inward is a practice of self-compassion, which is an important foundation for sustainable wellness. Don't let life put you on the sidelines. Let's tap into your personal power and create the life you want to live!

I am a licensed clinical social worker (L.C.S.W) credentialed to practice in Illinois. For over 22 years, I have partnered with those looking to take steps to feel more balanced and peaceful in their lives.

Higher Ground Wellness Group’s mission is to provide a safe therapeutic space for all people, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Our vision is to end stigma in BIPOC communities regarding seeking mental health services, by increasing awareness and access to mental health resources. It is a courageous choice to seek therapy and with over 50 years of combined experience, Higher Ground Wellness Group is committed to providing extensive, high quality therapeutic services for individuals, couples, families in a safe and non-judgmental environment that reinforces emotional, physical, and mental wellness.

The majority of my training and work experience has specifically focused on the assessment and treatment of psychological trauma. I believe my job is to walk alongside my clients as they unpack their traumatic experiences, while providing continued safety and validation, all at their own pace. I have extensive experience in evidence based treatments for PTSD and have been successful in treating a wide variety of individuals. I have also completed specialized training in maternal mental health. I treat women dealing with mental health issues that come up during and after pregnancy, such as anxiety, depression, and OCD. I also help women navigate pregnancy loss, infertility, and traumatic births. As a mother myself, I am passionate about working with other mothers struggling with mental health issues related to pregnancy or the postpartum period.

In my therapy practice, I specialize in creating an empathic and supportive environment. I will work to empower and guide you to develop healthy coping strategies, deeper more satisfying relationships, and the skills and space to process your emotions and move forward. I approach therapy through a humanistic, strength-based, trauma-sensitive lens. With compassion, and humor, I have counseled individuals through a variety of life’s challenges, including but not limited to; grief, relationship struggles, domestic violence/abuse, family trauma, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and severe mental illness.

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.