Therapists in Dixon, IL

I am passionate about helping others become more self-aware and grow in areas of their life where they feel stuck or frustrated. I have almost 20 years of experience helping individuals who are struggling.

McCall Barsamian is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who works with couples and individual adults. Her open, empathic, interactive, and respectful approach focuses on collaborating with clients to deepen their understanding of themselves and their relationships in order to bring about the transformation they seek. McCall has extensive, hands-on-training from world-renown Psychotherapists and clinical experience in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) with both couples and individuals. McCall also uses a variety of other Empirically Supported Approaches as she sees fit.

Currently on maternity leave. I will be accepting new clients in May.

Let's talk about something we all know to be true – life is one big tangle of relationships. Whether you're dating, single, married, engaged, part of a cozy little family, or navigating the chaos of a massive one, relationships are everywhere. And, you know what? Contrary to those picture-perfect moments we see online, not all of these relationships are sunshine and rainbows 100% of the time, or even 50% of the time! But, here's the deal – you're not alone in feeling some type of way about your connections with others or with yourself.

As human beings, we all have a need to be seen, heard, and understood. Our relational needs are particularly important when in a place of struggle. As your therapist, I will strive to hold space, offer safety and relational connection as you reimagine and change your relationship with yourself, others, and the world around. I am experienced and passionate about working with individuals, groups, and queer couples. Areas of focus include LGBTQ identity work, becoming an anti-racist, embodiment, substance use, spiritual trauma, interpersonal and internal conflict, and anxiety.

When it comes to mental health treatment, our approach is simple and unique: our accomplished team of physicians and therapists work together to diagnose and treat your body, mind and spirit as a whole. We are one of the few practices combining traditional treatment with evidence-based alternative therapies, all under one roof. We are privileged to have changed the lives of many families in Chicago's North Shore, as well as out-of-state and foreign visitors. Our "whole body" approach to treating mental health conditions is supported by clinical studies. These include but are not limited to: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), diet and exercise, spiritual/social evaluation, yoga and art therapy. Many still focus only on the brain, treating symptoms, not causes. In many cases they over-prescribe medications. While our physicians do prescribe medications as needed, what sets us apart is our commitment to explore all options. We search for root causes and provide the most appropriate treatment, not merely the most convenient one. When we do prescribe, we go the extra mile to customize a plan that minimizes side effects. You and your family deserve the best in healthcare!

Using a mix of attachment theory, strategic therapy, and experiential approaches, you can be sure I will keep you engaged and motivated to show up to sessions where you will participate in more than just talk therapy. I obtained my master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Wheaton College and describe myself as a "systems thinker." I welcome the opportunity to meet with families, couples, or adult individuals. I also have a special interest in working with couples navigating ADHD, families with older children, and individuals struggling with codependency.

Now welcoming new clients! I am passionate about supporting individuals who are embarking on their healing journey. I enjoy assisting individuals who seek guidance on managing anxiety, depression, dysregulation, and complex emotions by exploring and befriending their nervous system. I specialize in helping adolescents and young adults understand and alleviate the distress caused by trauma through the use of somatic, Polyvagal, AEDP, and EMDR therapy. I believe in the importance of a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment in order to process thoughts, feelings, and experiences as we work to meet your goals.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I believe developing trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship is crucial to doing meaningful work together. For this reason, I strive to bring warmth and authenticity to my sessions with the goal of supporting clients in feeling truly seen and heard. In graduate school, I trained in feminist therapy which has informed my belief that clients are experts of their own experience and given me a deep understanding of how identity and oppression relate to one’s mental health. I am particularly interested in working with my clients around trauma, grief/loss, and relationships.

My approach is based on a simple, powerful principle: I’m here to help you feel better. If you’re done diving endlessly into the past without connecting to the present, have been in therapy forever with little to show for it, or are skeptical of therapy and willing to try something different, then let’s get started. I'm committed to using what works and learning from what doesn't so our sessions are effective and meaningful. I work with families, couples, and children, and I understand the importance of a compassionate, patient, individualized approach. Ultimately, therapy should be a dynamic experience that improves your life.

Taking the first step takes a lot of courage. Wherever you are on your journey to a more authentic, healthy you, I can help. My warm, caring approach combines compassion, trust, and strength-based practices to provide a safe, judgment-free environment for individuals and families to learn and grow. Together, we can set short/long term goals, identify negative thought and behavior patterns, develop a variety of coping skills, and gain new insight with each session. I provide services to children, adolescents, and adults. I also offer group sessions. My areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, mood disorders etc.

People work with me to deeply understand themselves, create more meaningful connections with others, and learn new ways of coping with their pain and life's challenges. Many patients see me because they are dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD and the effects of trauma, and relationship challenges. But often, those are broad terms for more subtle issues—maybe you feel dissatisfied, stuck, confused, distant, lonely, uncertain, lost, or have difficult feelings about yourself or others. Whatever your specific concern, you are seeking therapy because you are looking for growth, change, and more freedom in your life.

Many of us want to have closer, happier, more genuine relationships with our children, spouses, partners, and friends. We may feel stuck, unsatisfied or trapped in our careers or in school, overwhelmed by a strong sense of pressure coming from all directions. There are feelings of stress, anger, guilt or a sense of loneliness that get in the way, too. Often we compare ourselves to others and fall short of expectations. We may look "fine" on the outside, but on the inside, we don't feel fine.

Now accepting new clients! When we are struggling in life, feeling stuck, hurt, confused, or alone, we all deserve a place to talk with someone who we know will not judge or shame us, but instead who will walk alongside us and help us create change, finding our hope and strength. I believe that you were designed to heal and you have everything you need inside you. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to reach out for help, support, or guidance so that you can move towards the life you want to live.

I am licensed in the state of Illinois and accepting new clients via telehealth or in person. I am able to see clients in Orland, Batavia, Naperville, Oswego, Yorkville, Plano.

During life's challenging moments, most of us benefit from the support of a non judgmental guide. People have told me they feel safe with me. Whether you are dealing with work/school stress, struggling with anxiety or depression, coping with parenting, experiencing loss, or are looking for support with a relationship, I can help you to better understand stuck areas in your life. I see individuals, couples, adolescents and families. I have an interactive, supportive, and open approach. When working with individuals, we will work together to gain greater self understanding and discover workable solutions.

I’m dedicated to walking the journey with you, truly listening, and helping you clarify and achieve your next-level vision for a life of mental wellness. I want to help you achieve whatever solutions and life changes you are looking for while enjoying the process as much as possible and experiencing yourself in new ways.

Between the frenetic pace of the modern lifestyle and media’s frequent messaging that we are not enough (which looks unique for each of us) it's no surprise that while we may be more “connected” than ever, we may also be finding ourselves more stressed, lonely, scattered, and/or irritable than ever. We've been sold the belief that if we "just work harder", then we will finally unlock the life we’ve always wanted. And yet, this equation doesn’t always seem to add up the way we thought it would. And that can leave us with a sense of frustration, disillusionment, and feeling stuck.

Welcome! I'm Macauley, a passionate and dedicated therapist committed to guiding you on your journey towards emotional well-being and personal growth. I believe in the transformative power of therapy, in tandem with mind-body practices, and am here to support you in navigating life's challenges with empathy and understanding. I firmly believe in the interconnectedness of mind and body. Together, we will explore the integration of traditional therapy with yoga, meditation, and somatic practices, unlocking your potential for healing and growth.