Family Therapy in Illinois

I have worked with a variety of clients and multiple issues. This includes adults, couples, adolescents, children, and families. I have extensive experience with mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, grief, family/relationship issues, and childhood and adolescent disorders. Having worked with a variety of different ethnicities and cultures including LGBTQ, I attempt to bring that cultural sensitivity to my practice. My work with clients includes helping them to identify patterns of problematic thought and behavior, and explore ways these patterns may have developed. My objective is to help clients find ways to enjoy and succeed in their lives.

Jori Sparry graduated from Central Connecticut State University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Religious Studies. She completed a Master of Science degree with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2000. She was trained by William Boylin, Ph.D., who was supervised and trained by Carl Whitaker M.D. (a founding father of family therapy) in family systems and the creator of Symbolic Experiential Therapy. She has worked in a number of various settings including inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation, foster care/adoption, and a crisis stabilization home for teenagers.

Are you in pain from an injury. Do you feel your family is falling apart? Is there domestic violence in your home? Have you lost interest and pleasure in the things you used to do? Do you get angry over the little things in life and feel out of control? Are you dependent or abuse alcohol and/ or drugs and it is interfering with your personal life or job? You are not alone many people suffer from these issues.The decision to seek therapy could be a new beginning for you.Treatment is always confidential.

I believe that progress in therapy should be a collaborative endeavor in a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere. Therapy with my clients is driven by their goals as we explore feelings, beliefs and relationships in a comfortable and confidential atmosphere. My practice specializes in anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, grief, anger difficulties, and family relationships in children and adults. I utilize evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention, Solution-Focused Therapy as well as mindfulness-based practices to meet the specific needs of each client.

My ideal client is a family seeking support in navigating the complexities of childhood and adolescent mental health. They may be grappling with issues like trauma, anxiety, or communication barriers. Their needs center around understanding and healing, fostering resilience, and strengthening family bonds. Their goal is holistic well-being, where each member feels heard, supported, and empowered to thrive. They seek guidance to navigate challenges and cultivate a nurturing environment for growth and connection.

My name is Melissa Shanley and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and I am here to help. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University where I studied to earn my Master of Science in Clinical Counseling. I have years of experience working in and supervising community mental health centers, college settings, hospital settings, and as an outpatient therapist to all ages and populations. My professional interests include working with people who have experienced complex trauma/PTSD, family systems issues, and supporting people with attachment, anxiety, and mood disorders.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Certified Alcohol and Drug Therapist. I have been providing individual, couples, family, as well as group therapy for over 30 years. I have worked with child, adolescent, and adult populations, addressing a variety of disorders, including the development of a specialized program for impaired professionals. With a holistic, caring approach, I include evidence-based treatments to address clients’ concerns such as: relationship issues, stress management, trauma, substance use, depression, anxiety as well as other mental health issues.

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.

When difficult emotions or experiences interfere with our ability to enjoy life, it can be hard to figure out what to do. You might feel stuck in patterns of thoughts or behaviors that are stopping you from fully engaging in the life you want to live. I work with you to process what may be contributing to your pain and to recognize your many strengths within. We each deserve to be seen for all that we are by someone who cares. Honoring your unique personality and needs, we will determine how the therapeutic relationship can best serve you.

Is home, work, or past trauma creating anxiety, depression or stress? For over 20 years, I have worked with individuals to resolve work and home conflicts, ease stress, reduce anxiety and help make their lives better. Clients come to see me because of relationship, family, work, or trauma issues that affect their daily lives. Together, we determine the best approach to making a lasting change.

I am a bi-lingual (spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Co-Founder of Healing Connections Counseling, PC. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, parents, families, couples, and adults. I utilize various approaches to counseling such as, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, family systems, play therapy, and coping skills training to help clients improve their quality of life. I am passionate about helping others and my goal is to provide a friendly and supportive environment. I also believe that building rapport is an important step toward success and works in collaboration with clients to identify treatment goals to promote changes.

Sometimes parenting feels traumatic, and you are tired of feeling alone. I help parents understand their child's most frustrating, confusing, and overwhelming behaviors while also guiding them to experience more confidence and regulation. My theoretical paths include trauma-informed, attachment-based, and somatic in nature. I practice somatic touch, which effectively facilitates regulation in a person's nervous system. It is hard to change the way we parent even if we know what to do. I provide the practical resources and support that you need.

There are many reasons you may be looking for a counselor. There doesn't need to be a specific reason, you may simply be looking for a perspective, a good listener or to gain insight. Common reasons people seek counseling: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma or Abuse, Grieving and Life Stressors. I can walk alongside you as you navigate a painful or difficult time in your life.

I’m Nicole, a marriage and family therapy graduate from Capella University, and I work as a pre-licensed counselor at Joi Counseling. I’ve always had compassion for people going through difficult times in life. I recognize that we all need a little extra guidance when things are tough. As a counselor, my goal is to help you become the best version of yourself possible. I want you to know that you have the capacity and ability to effect change. I am ready to work together with you to accomplish shared goals, and I can modify my style to meet the needs of individuals, couples, and families.

As a results oriented clinician, I welcome clients across the lifespan for individual, couples, and family therapy. My specialization is working with clients facing depression, trauma, grief and loss, infertility, self-esteem, mood and motivational challenges. My approach to psychotherapy is insight based integrated with other methods to meet the unique needs and goals of my clients. Additionally, my interests expand to family psychology, supporting clients through separation and divorce as well as parent-child therapeutic reintegration and reunification therapy.

You didn't image a future without them. You thought your family would sit and watch the two of you exchange vows one day. The dreams you imagined with that person now haunt you. The pain of the separation became a hurricane. It shattered the house of love you built with your partner. Since the storm passed, all that remains is the wreckage your ex left behind. A cracked foundation, blown-out windows, and broken pictures on the walls. Now your memories center on the broken promises, growing mistrust, and the red flags you ignored. You're struggling to find closure and a new sense of self. If only love came with a manual.

I am a professional therapist (LCSW) dedicated to providing the best service possible to every client. I work well with individuals, and families dealing with a variety of concerns and issues.

We all have the capacity to reach our fullest potential. Yet all too often we find ourselves stuck in negative patterns of thinking and acting, unable to see other possibilities. Therapy allows us to make meaning of our difficult life experiences and open up to new ways of thinking, feeling, and being. I strive to provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can learn to identify and express their emotions effectively, develop healthy ways of coping with difficult emotions, improve the quality of their relationships, and increase their self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

In my work with individuals recovering from addictions, eating disorders, co-dependency and trauma, I assess which modality (individual, group psychotherapy or family therapy) will help my clients achieve their goals most effectively. I work with parents in the areas of attachment, financial literacy, discipline, boundary setting & launching as well as, couples who are struggling with infertility.I believe a therapist actively participates in the relationship, in addition to observing the process and offering expertise.