Therapists in Matteson, IL

From my own personal journey, I have a passion for working with those confronting uncertainties around their sense of identity and how they express themselves. These uncertainties may be from issues related to gender identity and sexuality, difficulties with body image, or feeling lost in the transitional stages of life. I deeply value understanding the unique background of every individual and how the intersectionality of various identities impacts the equally unique nature of everyone's lived experiences. I believe this understanding is the key to developing an effective approach to finding and living as our most authentic selves.

Living in a city as big as Chicago offers many opportunities yet it can sometimes feel overwhelming, lonely, and even isolating. Are you hiding certain pieces of yourself from your friends or family to avoid conflict or to fit in? You might feel like no one knows the real you. You’ve noticed a shift in how you deal with stress. Maybe it’s coming out as increased drinking, binging or restricting food, or turning to other coping behaviors. Or maybe you’re in recovery but other parts of your life continue to feel unmanageable which feels frustrating. You no longer need to feel trapped. Change is possible and hope can be found.

I've seen, heard and personally experienced the difficulty of finding a therapist when you hold marginalized identities. It's an honor for me to be able to provide a unique space for folks like us! I believe that understanding how our culture, gender, society, family, etc. inform our identities allows people to ditch the concepts or social expectations that don’t fit and pursue the ones that feel truly authentic. Let's show up as we are and get some solid work done!

Are you seeking relief from a situation that has you feeling overwhelmed and confused? Why is it so hard to reach out for help when we feel alone, frustrated, sad, or helpless? Do you find yourself waking up in the morning thinking "It happened again; how long will this go on?" Do you want things to be different? Working with a therapist offers answers to all those questions. Having a relationship with a therapist fosters an atmosphere of trust that will help you identify those obstacles that are preventing you from feeling better and moving your life forward.

As a therapist, I strive to ensure that the largest influence on your life story is your genuine self, not judgment, worry, fear, or external entities. To do this, I help you: identify what has held you down or is holding you back, discard unnecessary judgment, and leave behind what no longer serves you, so that you can embrace positive change.

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.

As a queer and neurodivergent therapist, I understand that systemic issues and stigmatization make reaching out for support a daunting task. I understand how difficult talking about emotions and past experiences can be. You may be yearning for someone to recognize the experience of being in your skin. My goal is to work with you to develop strategies that align with your unique strengths and challenges. As your therapist, I intend to foster a sense of safety and trust in our sessions, nurturing you into your most authentic self. I am passionate about exploring how our experiences and backgrounds shape our identities.

Cameron works with clients towards their identified goals using an integrative and holistic approach. She honors all client's identities using a trauma-informed, multicultural and systemic lens and collaborative approach to address clients needs. Cameron's therapeutic approach is backed by 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, parents, adults and families in the Chicago area. She helps individual, couples/relationship and family clients with issues of emotions, thoughts, behavior, relational patterns, conflict, self-concept, executive functioning, communication and other presenting concerns.

I believe therapy is a collaborative space for folks to explore their biographies and learn to hold deeper relationships with their own self and others. Change happens when we feel safe to be curious and understanding of our patterns and choices. I invite clients to explore the intersections of their identities with me as we create a space that is brave and trusting. I see the connection between the external world and our internal experience as central to the therapy process. I'm mindful to social identities, dynamics in family systems, and the larger cultural landscape that impact a person's sense of self.

Joie is a North Side resident, and a proud member of the Queer, Neurodiverse, and Chronically Ill/ Disabled communities. They believe in nurturing and cherishing these identities (as well as all others!), and challenging social norms with the radical act of being yourself. Joie is a former social emotional and sexual health educator, and has worked with young people in various capacities for over 10 years. They’ve worked both in the schools and via Telehealth to provide therapy to children, adolescents, and emerging adults, focusing primarily on acute and complex trauma, and gender/sexuality development.

I work holistically with clients to explore how their past, present, and future all impact their identity, self-expression, and quality of life. I work with youth, adolescents, emerging adults, and adults on mood (depression, anxiety, anger), identity development, LGBTQIA2S+ concerns, creativity difficulties (professional and expression), ADHD, and family of origin difficulties.

I work with a range of individuals including adults, teens, and children. I have worked with clients with challenges including depression, anxiety, trauma, family conflict, low self-esteem, and gender dysphoria. I am passionate about working with the LGBTQIA+ community, folks with diagnosed or self-identified Autism/ADHD, and those navigating pregnancy/postpartum. Therapy with me is an affirming space for those in the kink and poly communities. I enjoy working with individuals who wish to deepen their understanding of their identity, are undergoing a life transition, or who want to understand how their past informs their present.

Experiencing unexplained sources of anxiety, and not understanding out own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be really scary. Not being able to understand or effectively communicate with your child can be even scarier. If you are an overwhelmed parent of a child or adolescent who is experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, depression, anger, explosive emotion, isolation, self-harm, or identity confusion, or you yourself are struggling to understand your own thoughts, feelings, or sexual/gender identity, I may be the right fit for you.

You may be familiar with the phrase "feel your feelings, don't think your feelings", but may be unsure of what that actually means. Perhaps you feel berated by your inner critic or stuck in conflict with parts of yourself or past experiences. Or maybe you and your partner/s are looking for support as you navigate attachment wounds. Together, we can work to disrupt patterns of distress as we find new ways to connect and create change. I practice from a harm reductionist/anti-oppressive lens that seeks to help you connect to build on your innate capacity to heal.

Whether you have specific goals in therapy, or are simply struggling to keep your head above water, therapy can be a space to slow down and allow yourself the opportunity to sit with your experiences and feelings. I love working with queer and trans folks, people exploring their gender and sexuality for the first time, as well as people with Autism and ADHD, and people who are exploring the possibility that they may be neurodivergent. I also enjoy working with people with complex trauma histories, religious trauma, complicated family dynamics, as well as people struggling with anxiety and mood disorders.

As a clinical psychologist, my approach is collaborative, intentional, and custom fit to meet the needs of clients searching for support/guidance in improving their overall emotional well-being. I view each client as the expert of their own experiences and work with them to find a life and way of living that is congruent with their values and current goals.

My areas of specialization are working with individuals/couples/relationships who are in the LGBTQ+ community who have experienced violence, such as sexual violence, childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, family system-based violence, spiritual abuse, and community-based violence. I work with many different relationship structures from cisgender heterosexual monogamous couples and folx with more expansive relationship structures. My areas of specialization in working with relationship clients are high-conflict relationships, sexual dysfunction/dysregulation, infidelity, trust, safety, and stability.

Life can be challenging, and everyone has times when they feel overwhelmed and need some support. In my work, I provide a caring, nonjudgmental environment for adolescents, adults, couples, and families to speak openly about their lives and to explore their true selves. Therapy is meant to be collaborative, so picture me as a trusted guide walking beside you as you face what comes next. I specialize in working with young people, polyamorous/nonmonogamous people, and folks in the LGBTQIA+ community. NOTE: I AM currently taking new adolescent, couple, or family clients!

My main priority is to create a strong, safe relationship for you to share and grow. I approach therapy as a collaborative process where you are the expert on your life. I work with families, relationships and individuals with a particular interest in working with teens and parents with children of any age. I am especially interested in addressing teen mood instability, parenting, relationship issues, harm to self or others and gender dynamics.