Family Therapy in Near Eastside, Chicago, IL

The therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in creating an environment for individuals to feel safe being vulnerable. I have experience working with adults of all ages experiencing life transitions, anxiety, depression, family conflict, abuse or neglect, grief, and loss. I specialize in working with older adults and their families who might be experiencing caregiver stress and burnout, hoarding issues, challenges related to dementia or other chronic illness, and end-of-life planning. I believe that everyone can benefit from therapy and it is never too late to begin one’s own journey of healing.

"Experience CHANGE and RESOLUTION. You're not alone in your struggles.My purpose is to support you through crisis, and facilitate positive CHANGES in your life. In a warm, safe and empowering environment,I will help you gain a greater awareness of your choices,better understanding of present circumstances, and transform anxiety, frustration and anger into forward movement and action. My vast experience in providing relief from emotional pain and fear, healing wounds of trauma and loss, reducing stress, and mending love and family relationships will help you achieve an overall sense of well-being, balance and direction.

I work with adolescents and adults. My specialities include working with people experiencing life transitions, survivors of trauma, queer and trans people, people of color, and disabled folks. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming, kink affirming, and sex positive. I also work with polyamourous and non-monogamous people, as well as those with other alternative relationship orientations. Additionally, I have experience working with folks with substance use concerns, adoptees, religious minorities, sex workers, and neurodivergent people.

Are you done with feeling uncomfortable in your body? Are you exhausted from trying to battle the constant negative thoughts about yourself? You may even start to notice that these feelings and thoughts are getting in the way of you being able to enjoy your life. And so you try and reach out for support to family and friends. It helps to feel heard and yet you still aren't able to shake this self-doubt and sense that you just aren't good enough. You want to feel secure and confident, but trying to get there on your own just isn't working. It's become too tiring and confusing to feel better all on your own.

I work extensively with tweens, adolescents, young adults, and adults in seeking relief from anxiety and related disorders, depression, ADHD, gender and sexual identity issues, developmental & relational trauma, self-esteem, and healing from attachment and childhood trauma where individuals have navigated a history of unmet needs and frustrating attempts to get them met. I also have a strong interest in working with adolescents in their transition to high school and/or college, stress management, emotional development and maturity, rejection from peers, family conflict, and friendship/interpersonal relationship issues

I’m glad you’re here. It is vulnerable and brave to start your therapy journey. Whether it’s your first time, or you’re back after a break, my hope is you will experience a deeper connection with yourself and the healing and growth to live to your full potential. I work with adults of all ages and my areas of interest include life transitions, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, career discernment and family of origin dynamics. As a mother of two young children, I also enjoy supporting expecting and new parents, and those seeking to create work-life balance and navigating issues of self-worth.

I'm a licensed clinical social worker who has experience working with individuals in education, nonprofit, and private practice settings. I'm trained in EMDR through the EMDR Institute and utilize a trauma informed approach within therapy. I use a strength based and relational approach while working to integrate all aspects of an individual’s life, such as culture, family origin, spirituality, relationships, and internal thoughts and emotions, to foster healthy growth. I work with new moms and parents, adults with mental disabilities, first responders, young professionals, and individuals working through every day life challenges.

I approach therapy as a collaborative endeavor. I strive to create a warm and accepting space where clients can safely explore the roadblocks they are encountering. My belief is that we are all capable of being resilient; we all have strengths we can rely on to support us through confusing and challenging times. Through therapy, my clients feel empowered to discover new ways to understand themselves and relate to others. My expertise includes relationships, family issues, academic stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression.

You want a therapist who understands and respects who YOU are. Period. 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. Therapy for LGBTQ+ people is designed to provide both individuals and their loved ones with the solutions and tools they need to thrive. We take great pride in cultivating an environment that is non-judgmental, supportive, and compassionate – where LGBTQ+ people can speak freely about the challenges and triumphs taking place in their lives.

Entering into therapy is great way to get support when you are going through a tough time or life transition. Sometimes all we need is someone to listen. Other times, we need assistance with coping skills or reframing our thoughts. My goal is to meet you where you are and provide you a safe place to express yourself and your needs.

Dr. Sarah Sanders is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in anxiety, eating disorders, depression, and life transition issues. Dr. Sanders individualizes her treatment approach to the specific needs of each client, often combining dynamic-relational, cognitive-dialectical-behavioral, and systemic-cultural approaches. Her priority is helping you work through your concerns and make changes in your life in a way that feels effective, collaborative, and nonjudgmental.

Sophocles: "Wisdom outweighs any wealth." Fmr. Exec. Consult re: Conflict resolution & 35+ yrs. member CBOT/CME. . Integrate science & 'art' treatment on best practices. Consult Solutions on relationships & interpersonal challenges at Corporate & Individual level. Specialized with Individual/Couples/Adolescent/Elderly. Fmr. clinical Dir. w/ faith communities & specialist in GRIEF w/ prior work in Hospital & educational settings/Grand Rounds/Ethics at Northwestern & U. Chi. All phone calls FREE. "Vision without execution is a daydream and execution without vision is a nightmare." I look forward to helping you secure your vision

I believe at some point, everyone experiences difficulties they cannot resolve through their usual means of coping and problem-solving. I can help you move forward by understanding patterns in your relationships, past experiences, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how they contribute to your current symptoms and concerns. With this insight, you can then take actions to produce the changes you seek. I'm passionate about helping clients find constructive and realistic solutions that reflect their individual personality and lifestyle.

As a licensed professional counselor, I would like to assist you in a nonjudgmental, compassionate and safe environment for you to process daily struggles that are causing you to feel stressed, overwhelmed, anxious or depressed. I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside you and empower you to make the changes that you desire.

As we go through life we often find ourselves wondering what we can do to better in our relationships with our significant others, family members and others around us. It seems as if we have tried everything, but nothing seems to work, at least not for a long time period. As a therapist, I believe in compassion, therapeutic alliance, and a non-judgmental environment to be with you every step of the way as you reach your goals. I am a Certified Psychotherapist that has emphasized in trauma, complex trauma, relationship issues, Grief, Infidelity, anxiety, and mood disorders.

I understand how overwhelming the process of finding a therapist can be. I understand the discouragement felt when your therapist isn’t the right fit. My approach to therapy is down to earth and humanistic. I recognize that everyone is having their own authentic and imperfect experience which cannot be judged, and the way I treat every client mirrors that. My core belief is that everyone deserves to be heard.

When a client comes to me for psychotherapy the first goal is to fully understand the nature of their discontent in the context of a warm, open, nonjudgmental space. We work together to create a vision of what it will look like when the client is feeling more content, and then within the therapeutic relationship move toward change that will realize the client's vision. I am a combination of warm, supportive, directive, interpretive, and reflective. The therapy may be short term or long term, and may be individual or with significant others (family or partner).

Do you ever feel like the support of your family and friends is not enough? You don't have to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder to benefit from therapy. Many people turn to therapy for help with everyday life issues: relationship problems, anxiety, and self-doubt. Others seek therapy during difficult times such as sexual abuse and grief. In order to reap the benefits of therapy it's important that you choose the right therapist- someone you can trust, who makes you feel valued with the experience to help you overcome emotional challenges and make changes for the better in your life.

As we move through our lives, we are presented with experiences through which we can grow and change. This is true at every stage of our lives, whether we are leaving home for the first time, creating our own families, dealing with relationship loss, or managing our own aging or the aging of loved ones. For healthy growth to occur, we need skills, tools, and support to adapt to changes in our lives. When we do not have these, we experience a myriad symptoms of distress—including depression, anxiety, and exhaustion. I view therapy as a relationship that can help find ways to turn these barriers/challenges into growth opportunities.