Therapists in South Loop, Chicago, IL

I enjoy working with individuals navigating their anxiety, feelings of walking between two cultural worlds, complex grief & loss, depression, family dynamics, forced displacement, gender identity, intergenerational trauma, all life stage transitions, spirituality, & relationship with a breast cancer diagnosis. With a trauma-focused & intersectional lens, I primarily work with adolescents, young adults & elderly people from AAPI, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant & refugee communities. I focus on 1.5 and 2nd generation Filipino/a/x & South Asian American Immigrants, young adults with breast cancer & older adults chronic comorbidities.

Therapy is an opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth that requires a compassionate and safe therapeutic relationship. I practice from an insight- oriented approach that allows for an increased awareness of past and current relational patterns. Together we will examine these patterns, develop tools, and find ways to respond differently in order to alleviate immediate stress while also creating lasting change.

My ideal client comes from many walks of life. They are children, teenagers, and adults and present with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, relationship and family problems, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), school problems, and oppositional-defiant disorder. They all share a common need to be heard, empowered, and guided on the path of recovery. I provide evidence-based treatments tailored to the needs of my clients. I focus on strengths and capabilities rather than "illness."

NOW Accepting New Clients! We are here to support you. Life Aligned Counseling offers individual and couples counseling services. Our team of therapists has experience in a wide variety of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, loss and grief, relationship issues, self-esteem and self-concept, family conflict, stress management, spirituality, significant life transitions, lgbtqia+ concerns, women's issues, men's issues, etc.

As someone who identifies as an empath, I know how hard it can be to balance caring for others while prioritizing self-care. The art of balance is ever evolving, and you are the expert on yourself. You can expect a space for deep reflection to understand yourself, your behaviors, and your relationships better. If you feel like anxiety, pressure, or shame are getting in the way of feeling confident and at peace in your body, then please reach out. There is a reason you are struggling now, and together we will explore and give voice to your whole self as a way for you to recognize your inherent worth.

Feeling stuck or unhappy in your life or relationships? Are you looking to change old patterns, unhappy emotions, or habits that are keeping you from being your motivated and authentic self? I’m passionate and skilled at working with individuals and couples struggling with life transitions, anxiety, self-esteem, relationship/sex difficulties, and family discord. I see my clients as unique, strong, and capable beings and I utilize your strengths to support bringing about positive change. I believe we all need a shoulder to cry on, and a place to be honest & vulnerable, so I make sure you feel safe and comfortable in session.

My clients experience me as nurturing, grounded, relatable, and professional which combined can create a safe space and therapeutic environment. I believe that therapy should be enjoyable, and I like to bring a sense of humor to sessions when appropriate, but when it comes to more serious issues, I pride myself on being an active non-judgmental listener and a compassionate ally to my individual and couple clients.

I’m so glad you’re here! It's too easy to be overwhelmed with life’s challenges and everything you feel you “should” be doing. I'll support you in gently facing those truths too difficult to face alone and practicing the power of positive thinking, gratitude, and self-compassion. At your pace and without judgment, we will process your family history and trauma, and you will understand their effects on your relationships and life. We'll explore the connections between your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and triggers so you can make positive changes to heal and move toward peace, balance, and joy.

I am a licensed professional counselor with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Benedictine University. I have worked in a variety of settings such as inpatient, residential, nonprofit, domestic violence, and private practice which have provided a substantial amount of knowledge about appropriate levels of care. I have worked with presenting concerns such as mood disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, and PTSD.

I believe deeply in the potential for healing when people feel safe to be vulnerable in trusting relationships. I hope to collaborate with others to transform painful experiences into generative opportunities for growth so that we can create the lives we want to live. A queer South Asian American woman, I am attuned to the complexity of navigating differences in culture, race, gender, sexuality, religion, class, politics, and more in families and relationships. I utilize an intersectional feminist and anti-oppressive framework in my work with individuals and couples who are navigating conflict and seeking better self-understanding.

Are you seeking growth but feel confused, stuck or overwhelmed? I understand these feelings because I've been there too! We will move through this process together, to facilitate change, and set realistic goals, and I am here to support you in strengthening the tools that will help you succeed outside the therapeutic space. I value curiosity, humor, and openness in our sessions, and I am here to create a therapeutic space where authenticity is not just welcomed but celebrated.

As we grow and develop as humans, we often find ourselves confronted by issues from the past – issues we may have thought long-resolved. These issues can manifest in our relationship dynamics, our perceptions about ourselves, and our means of coping with our environment. My role is to join you in confronting these things so that you can integrate and learn the lessons these past experiences are meant to teach you. In our work together, you are the expert. You decide what your experiences mean and how they impact the person you are.

Through research, education and clinical services, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is one of the nation's leading relationship-based behavioral health organizations committed to strengthening and healing the whole family system by bringing together the right partners to support children, adults, couples and families across the lifespan. As researchers, educators and therapists, we work with our clients and PARTNER TO SEE CHANGE. By weaving together 175 therapists and therapists-in-training, we create a high quality, collaborative system of behavioral health care. One that gets results.

I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is crucial for helping individuals achieve their goals and affect positive change.

My Ideal client has issues with anxiety, processing trauma, depression, and family concerns. My ideal client is looking for safety and space to show up authentically. My ideal client wants to learn who they are and who they are willing to take with them on their journey. My ideal client hopes to heal, face the truth of what happened to them, and be bold enough to make themselves the center of the story again.

I work with populations that are going through transitions. Whether you are a teen starting a new school; a family going through a new phase of life; a person questioning your identity, or even if you are looking to transition careers, I am here to help you see the best version of yourself come to a reality. As a therapist, I assist people in gaining the confidence to overcome personal obstacles, lessen emotional loads, and provide the tools needed to improve their connection to themselves and their world.

I am a bilingual therapist providing psychotherapy to children, families, adolescents & adults. My approach combines directness, honesty, compassion & genuineness which I use to address a broad range of challenges & help clients find the strength to change. I have experience working with families & individuals who experience depression, relationship & family issues, mood, anxiety & adjustment disorders & behavioral concerns. We will work together to emphasize, develop & grow your self-determination & strengths in order to empower you to make better decisions & provide you with hope & motivation.

Whether this is your first time in therapy, or you’re looking for someone new, my goal is to help you through life’s challenges. I work with adolescents, young adults, adults, and families to help them overcome the barriers that keep them stuck in unhelpful cycles. I understand the ways in which guilt and shame can keep us paralyzed and have the necessary tools and clinical skill set to help guide you through life difficulties. I firmly believe that people have the answers within themselves, but it often takes the therapeutic alliance to help work through problems and guide the person to resolutions and self-realization.

Alison Mayer (Ali) is a master’s level clinician at SpringSource Psychological Center, with her LCPC pending in 2023. Ali has spent the past four years working with adults and adolescents/pre-teens with eating disorders and their families. She is passionate about her work with this population and enjoys engaging the whole family system to promote change and recovery. Ali completed her undergraduate training at Michigan State University and received her MA at National Louis University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is currently working towards becoming a Certified Eating Disorder Professional.