EMDR Therapists in Arlington Heights, IL

The decision to seek therapy can be difficult; however, you are here and that's your first step. Do you find yourself struggling in relationships, dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, or trauma? I want to be available to help you through that. I work with individuals and couples. I have a particular passion for working with women who have experienced infidelity in a relationship. Betrayal trauma comes in forms such as having multiple partners, emotional affairs, lying, and gaslighting. I want you to find healing, rebuild trust in yourself, and become whole again.

Do you feel overwhelmed, weighed down and stuck in place at times, like you know what you should do, but don’t have the motivation to make it happen? This is the effect ADHD, depression, anxiety and trauma can have on people, and you’re not alone. As your therapist, my goal is to make you feel heard and understood. Together, we will address your concerns by understanding how your thoughts, emotions, and physical health effect one another. We will seek to understand the underlying source of your symptoms and discover coping mechanisms that work for you through exploring your strengths, interests and support systems.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the effects of trauma, by challenging circumstances, or just feeling stuck in life? Do you have a hard time expressing or describing your feeling in words?  My therapy is rooted in care and trust. With compassion, understanding and guidance, I assist my clients to increase their self-esteem, confidence, and self-awareness and reconnect with their own inner strength to overcome the hardships in their lives. With my background as a clinical trauma specialist, an expressive artist and a Japanese immigrant, I am uniquely positioned to help guide you towards a more positive and empowered life journey.

At Thrive Counseling & Wellness, I have had extensive experience working with adults who experience chronic anxiety, depression, chronic pain, stress, relationship problems, self-esteem issues. I tend to take a client centered perspective; I utilize different therapies to suit each individual client's needs. It's not always about the specific theory but more about what can I do to assist the client in achieving the perspective, growth and success that they desire. My ultimate goal is to "walk with the client" as he/she processes, experiences and implements the tools needed to effect helpful change.

The first step is the hardest to do alone when you may be struggling with anxiety, stress, depression or inability to focus. That is where we would work together to build a trusting alliance to identify your goals and the steps that it would take to get there. Each person is different, and I tailor each experience to your individual needs.

I believe that we all have some area of our lives that we would like to change. My passion is to walk with individuals who want or need this change. For change to take place in treatment we need clear direction with measurable goals, a strong sense of hope, and a good fit between the therapist and client. I take a holistic approach to counseling that addresses the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, ethical, and spiritual needs of the client. I would love to be a part of your change process.

I specialize in working with children, teens, adolescents and young adults navigating their life changes, events, stressors and overall mental health. I utilize a trauma informed approach while helping individuals with their experiences of trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, relationships and more.

Do anxiety, trauma and uncertainty run your life more than your values and dreams? Do you relive the past as if it were happening right now? Your head knows better, but it's hard to convince your heart otherwise. Perhaps you feel stuck in not knowing how to move through distressing events of your past which is impacting your present day functioning. If this resonates with you, I would encourage you to take that brave first step in reaching out for support! There is hope and you don’t have to walk this journey alone.

Life can be overwhelming and stressful. Taking the first step to make changes in your life can be scary. Engaging in counseling is courageous. There is no need to have it together, or know where to begin. Your therapy is customized to you so it starts with learning your story and understanding your needs. We will then work together to create the life you want to start living.

Ready to try something different? We are experts in Somatic Experiencing and Trauma. Family Resilience is a group of 13 seasoned therapists deeply trained in the latest technologies + 1 amazing nutritionist. We work together as a team, to wrap you in attention, support, humor and wisdom. Together we study the latest developments in research and techniques, mind and body. People have their faith in therapy renewed at Family Resilience. We specialize in complicated situations, couples and family work, trauma, anxiety, depression, yoga tx, eating issues, LGBTQA+, Christian tx, and offer a depth of diversity among the staff.

Strong couples give their best selves to one another, not the leftovers after the world is done with them. Whether trying to improve a current relationship, embarking on a new one, or desire to find someone, a healthy relationship style is a must. We all bring our own unique style of relating when engaged in an intimate relationship. Factors such as our past relationship experiences, how we experienced love growing up, and our own avoidant or anxious attachment styles influence how we relate with others. Relationship Therapy addresses all the unhealthy mental toxins that may sabotage your attempts to be happy in a relationship.

When you are struggling with problems that seem new and confusing, or come up against issues that have been with you most of your life, your wise inner Self may say, “It’s time for some help.” I will journey with you as you identify needs, remove blocks, and make choices resulting in greater freedom. A safe, consistent environment will allow you to ask the questions, dare to hear the answers, and commit to doing whatever you decide will enrich, will deepen, your life. I will listen intently, focus questions, suggest different perspectives, explore strategies for addressing stuck places, and support your courageous efforts to change.

Do you find yourself running on empty or in the midst of a major life transition? Overwhelmed by anxiety and stress that seem to have taken over your life? Whether you struggle with a romantic relationship, people pleasing, or the strains of a demanding job, you don't have to navigate these challenges alone. I'm here to offer support and guidance tailored to your unique situation. We'll work through your anxiety, and help you improve your resilience and confidence.

Whether you're in college, landed the dream job, or maybe even fell in love, these are supposed to be the best years of your life. But something about this time has fallen far short of your expectations. "Adulting” isn't quite what you hoped it would be. You find yourself treading water instead of conquering new horizons. Counseling is a chance to grab a life vest (or at least a cup of coffee) and catch your breath. I provide a safe space for you to heal from the past, navigate present obstacles, and plan for the future. Give me a call and let’s redefine the journey. You are worth it.

Esther Elena Ruiz is a bilingual Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who has over 10 years of experience providing care to children, adults, couples, and families. Esther specializes in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, substance abuse, attachment, relationship issues, domestic violence, and parental issues. Her goal is to build a strong therapeutic relationship with you while actively working together to achieve your short- and long-term life goals. Esther completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Benedictine University and received her Master's in Clinical Psychology from Roosevelt University.

I work with adults who are struggling with depression and change of life issues (i.e., job loss, divorce, illness), and in particular those who are experiencing grief and loss. I have a great deal of experience working with the aging adult population and the issues that accompany this phase of life. I believe that most issues have an associated spiritual component to them, and if the client wishes to incorporate spirituality into the therapeutic work, I am comfortable doing so. The short term goal of therapy is symptom reduction, while the long-term goal is transformation.

We have all been there. Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or just stuck.Though it may seem out of reach, relief is possible. Together, we can utilize therapy to gain an understanding of your current concerns and build on your strengths to achieve lasting improvement in your experiences and relationships. I believe a strong therapeutic relationship is an integral part of creating healthy, lasting change. I will work hard to build a trusting, collaborative relationship with you. Ultimately, my hope is you will leave therapy with the skills to advocate for yourself, face challenges, and establish and maintain satisfying relationships.

Central to my practice is the belief that all of us deserve respect no matter our histories, and have within ourselves the wisdom for peace and healing. Our individual journeys are at times celebratory and at other times heartbreaking. We may not always be able to choose the circumstances we face such as illness, or the end of a relationship. Instead, we can choose what we are going to do about our challenges. We can choose how to integrate this information into our overall life stories for greater joy, creativity, and balance.

I strive to help people reach their goals and manage life stressors. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, relationship and communication issues, divorce, grief and loss, mid-life, aging and senior issues, caregiver stress, work difficulties, coping with physical health problems and improving self esteem and confidence. By helping clients create a glimpse of the future they want, overcome current barriers and learn new skills, I help them make positive changes to create a fulfilling and satisfying life.