Therapists in Downers Grove, IL

An Invitation to come as you are...Sometimes it's easy to forget or move away from who you are and your story. There are many life circumstances that may impact and influence how you feel about and perceive yourself as well as others. Shame, guilt, fear, anxiety, anger, disappointment, sadness, illness, grief, loss and broken relationships are a part of many peoples' life stories yet sometimes it can be difficult to accept those parts of one's journey. I invite you to come with all the pieces of who you are and share your story.

I offer caring, insightful, professional help in navigating through experiences of grief, loss & life transitions. Maybe you’re facing acute grief brought on by a recent loss. Or perhaps you’re living with the cumulative effects of losses long past yet still painfully present. These experiences can be catalysts for profound growth. It would be my privilege to assist you in identifying and gently letting go of the obstacles to more satisfying, full and authentic living.

I believe in the innate dignity of all people, and the work I do as a counselor is to encourage and empower people to live up to their personal values and embrace a more abundant life. When I work with a client I meet them where they are, without judgment, and enter into a working relationship built on trust, empathy, vulnerability, and communication. I have a person-centered approach to therapy, meaning that I respect the people who walk into my office enough to trust them to make decisions for themselves. I believe change is inevitable, but also, often painful, but that doesn't mean we can't work to find hope and grace.

Everyone deserves to be the best version of themselves. I help clients identify the obstacles that are preventing them from being the best version of themselves and help them find ways to make meaningful changes to live the most fulfilling life they want to live. Life can be difficult, but I am here to help support you to make life better!

Therapy is a unique process, one that aims to guide you through challenges and roadblocks, helping you move towards a healthier and more meaningful life. My goal is to create a space where growth is safe and cultivated. Using an evidence-based approach, I work to help you gain awareness of your emotional experience, working to understand the way you experience and interact with the world. I help you explore parts of yourself you may not be completely comfortable with, learning to tolerate the discomfort that surfaces during this process. I challenge clients to try something different, encouraging a more intentional approach.

Life is full of transition and change. In times that are difficult, you may feel like you need a professional to help you process this time in your life. With over 25 years experience as a therapist, I work with individuals as well as couples on relationship issues, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, self-esteem and body image disorders. I am goal-oriented and client-centered. As we talk, you will begin to understand why certain things may be happening in your life and learn tools and new ways of thinking that will allow you to leave therapy feeling more in charge of your life with the changes that you came in looking for.

I work with a multitude of clients to identify and express their emotions in a healthy manner, teaching them various coping skills. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and adults. I have worked with those suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, grief and loss, addiction and those having a hard time finding themselves. I believe in the importance of building rapport using empathy and compassion to reach clients of all ages.

The journey of motherhood can stir up many unexpected feelings and challenges for women and their partners. Starting from preconception all the way to the empty nest experience, it is not uncommon to struggle with anxious thoughts, strong emotions, a lost sense of self or disconnection in our personal relationships. If you want to enjoy your pregnancy or motherhood experience, learn different ways to cope with the heavy mental load, communicate better with your partner or process feelings of loss when this journey does not go as expected, please know that you are not alone and I can help.

Feeling anxious, stressed or depressed? Many people are overwhelmed these days. There is help.

For over 35 years I have worked with individuals, couples and families to solve problems, improve relationships and make life transitions. In this time I have learned to respect the uniqueness of each individual and family, as well as the abilities and courage they bring to the challenges they face. My approach is friendly, straightforward and solution-focused, but with appreciation for the variety and complexity of factors that may be involved with the issues that folks bring to therapy. I enjoy collaborating with clients to manage stress and modify the patterns of thinking, feeling and acting that concern them.

My therapeutic approach is supportive, engaging, and collaborative. I work to foster trust and compassion with every client and family I see using a more interactive approach. My goal is to help my clients identify goals and learn strategies to achieve these goals through techniques tailored specifically for them. I also enjoy using humor in my sessions to engage clients and help them feel at ease. I have 15 years experience working in mental health and a Master of Arts degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Counseling.

Are you looking for connection and joy in your relationships, yet are not sure where to begin? Do you long for acceptance and happiness, both within your self and your love relationship, as well as friends? Many of us feel stuck. You can move forward embracing your inner strength and wisdom. With over 20 years of experience and continuous training, I provide the tools to move beyond broken relationships, addictions, trauma, grief, anxiety and depression. Wounds from the past, including abuse, neglect, rejection and abandonment can be healed. I care and can help!

We all find ourselves at times in our life that we require nurturance to help us through life's changes. Loss in our lives requires care and guidance by a professional. Loss may be defined in various ways, it may be death, divorce, depression, addictions, infidelity, anxiety, infertility just to name a few. I work to specifically assist individuals, couples, families and groups to alleviate emotional disorders, to understand conscious and unconscious motivation, to resolve emotional, relationship and attitudinal conflicts and to help modify behaviors that interfere with effective emotional, social adaptive, and intellectual functioning.

My goal is to help you build a more satisfying life by creating long-lasting change and resilience. I am results-oriented. Many clients and parents report significant change in 4-8 sessions.I work with clients from many different walks of life and provide comprehensive counseling services for adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families. My approach is collaborative, understanding, and caring, as well as evidence-based. I use a state-of-the art outcome assessment to ensure that your counseling is effective and individualized. Please see my website regarding my exclusive approach for families: The Harmonizing Your Home Program.

AFC Counselors are passionate about providing an environment of safety and integrity for you (children, adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, and families) to find and sustain your path to emotional health and well-being. We understand that seeking help isn't always easy, so we make every effort to make you feel welcome as you take this important step for yourself or your loved one.

I bring 15 years of experience working with children and families. I specialize in working with children aged 0-12 who are experiencing behavior problems, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, OCD, ADHD/executive function challenges, depression, grief and loss, poor self-concept, identity confusion, gender issues, school refusal, educational issues, PTSD/trauma, and social issues. I am adept at providing parents the guidance and support needed for them to be able to facilitate their child’s growth and healing.

Katelyn is a Associate Marriage & Family Therapist. She has a well-rounded experience in working with clients from all walks of life – primarily with individuals (18 and up), couples, and families with expertise ready to serve you. Some of her specialty areas include but are not limited to, anxiety, depression, anger, adjustment disorders, bullying, grief, parenting, communication, life transitions, self-esteem, identity, sex therapy, women’s issues, and resilience.

I don’t know what brought you to this website yet ​you are here for a reason. Understanding that reason is important to me. It takes courage to look for help. You’ve taken the first step! I’d be honored if you shared that journey of self-discovery with me.

Emotional growth is best nurtured from a compassionate, encouraging, and non-judgmental perspective. In today’s society, the expectations put on us can be quite demanding, and many times, unrealistic. As a wife and a mother, I understand how agonizing it can be to constantly ask myself, “Am I enough?” Challenging negative thoughts, though it may be difficult, is worth the risk. Living a fulfilling, happy, and productive life is priceless.