Therapists in Palos Hills, IL

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.

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.

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.

You are here and you are ready to explore all the parts of you, perhaps more than ever, those which have been dismissed and shamed. You are ready to deepen the relationship with yourself and to feel emotions fully without guilt or shame, on your own or perhaps with your partner. You desire a space to explore the parts of you that feel unknown, “unacceptable,” "too much," or taboo. You are ready to show up and be completely you while someone holds space for you in your bravery and vulnerability. You are craving at least one space in your life where you can work toward being genuinely you. You long to be seen as who you are.

I am an art therapist & counselor who supports humans across the lifespan, providing services to children, teens, and adults of any age. My approach is genuine, relational, collaborative, responsive to your needs, and always with a lens on how the world around us impacts our mental health and access to resources. Many people come to therapy because they feel stuck in their story. I am curious to know yours and to help you strengthen your ability to envision other ways of living. I use an anti-oppressive lens in my work and value anti-racism, disability justice, community, and gender-affirming approaches to care.

I believe in taking a warm, nonjudgmental, collaborative approach to therapy; I truly believe that you are the expert of your experience and I am here to help as a coach and support you in reaching your goals. I approach therapy as both an art and a science; the art of human connection and the science of evidenced-based therapies such as CBT, DBT and ACT that have been proven to work. I am also a social worker at heart and like to bring in understanding of our society to help people of color, LGBTQ+ folks and other marginalized communities feel empowered to navigate and cope with the impact of these systems of today's world.

Are you struggling with issues of identity, wounds from childhood, anxiety, spirituality and religion, finding meaning, feeling present, or how to blossom and care for yourself in a world that prefers the straight and narrow? I believe that, deep down, we often know what we need to create fulfillment in our lives. But sometimes it’s difficult to hear ourselves over the stress of daily life. Doing the work of therapy is courageous. I would be honored to accompany you, at whatever pace you like, on your journey.

I work with adults & couples from different walks of life. As a holistic practitioner, I’ve come to understand it’s a different dance for each person when working towards embodying their voice, choice, authenticity & self-acceptance. I take into consideration your experiences relationally and with systems and how that may impact the relationship to your inner landscape. My identities are: 1st gen Vietnamese immigrant, non-binary, queer, polyamorous & ex-catholic. These identities have shaped the way I move in the world while inspiring me to continue being curious and going outside of the box when I work with each unique human.

Dr. Mary Madrake is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with experience in a variety of settings, including schools, community mental health centers, and private practice. They provide individual and couples therapy with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults. They have experience treating trauma, relationship issues, gender identity and sexuality, emotional and behavioral disorders, anxiety, and adjustment to a variety of life transitions. Additionally, Dr. Madrake has extensive experience working with members of the LGBT+ community, those in non-monogamous and alternative relationships, and clients involved in kink.

Asking for help can be challenging, but I want to assure you that seeking assistance can be incredibly rewarding and beneficial. As your therapist, my goal is to meet you where you are, gently encourage personal growth, and provide a safe space for you to express yourself. I am honored to help you shape the story of your life. I understand that everyone has their own pace and readiness, and I will never push you beyond what you're prepared for. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I will ask you questions to help you explore and overcome the obstacles that are holding you back from progressing in your journey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sometimes our feelings can overcome us to the point they feel intolerable. I help children, teens, and young adults navigate the overwhelm that can come with anxiety, depression, feelings of isolation, and non-belonging. I am trained in and passionate about working with trauma, grief, attachment, neurodevelopmental differences, and LGBTQ+ identities. My clients have described my clinical style as warm, open, and relaxed. In addition to my pediatric work, I truly enjoy working with young adult’s up to their late twenties.

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!

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.

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.