Out of Network Therapists in Berwyn, IL

My ideal client is looking for a strength-based approach to treatment - not just a focus on "problems." I believe that you already possess many skills and abilities that simply need to be unlocked to overcome your difficulties. I am passionate about helping others and consider myself to be a champion for social justice and working with clients who might come from marginalized communities or face discrimination or harassment. My ideal client is looking for a partner to help them in the change process - someone who will point out blind spots and provide practical steps to deal with their problems.

The successful outcome of therapy is change that makes your life more meaningful. For most people, this means changing how we deal with difficulty, choosing different actions, and focusing our attention on what truly matters. I believe that using an evidence-based approach to treatment can make this a reality for most people. Having worked with hundreds of clients over my career, I have found that it is possible to quickly improve your life with the right tools that help you build the necessary skills. If you are hesitant about an unending commitment to therapy but believe you can benefit from change, our work will be productive.

You haven't been feeling like yourself lately. Family and friends have noticed the difference and you have too, but you just aren't sure how to change, or if you want to change. You have been feeling alone and scared. You are physically tired and have been getting more aches and pains, but your aren't sure why. You are hurting. You aren't sure what might help.

Therapy is an intimidating process. It requires you to face the struggles keeping you from reaching your full potential. Life is full of transitions. At each, we learn to adapt and adjust. However, these transitions can be difficult and can lead to debilitating symptoms like anxiety, depression, and anger, etc. Perhaps these are not happening to you, but you notice them in your child and are unsure of how to help. So, even though therapy can be intimidating, it can be the risk you need to take, to move forward towards the positive outcome you desire. If you are ready to take the next step, let me partner with you in this process.

Over the years of working with people in intense times of pain, conflict, loss, and hopelessness, I have been shown that people possess the ability to heal when given the opportunity in a safe environment. Working with adults in a variety of capacities, I have the perspective that through empowering relationships, people are better able to access growth, understanding, and positive change. Through compassion, reflection and understanding patterns of behavior, I facilitate a collaborative process of identifying goals, working toward self-understanding, and ultimately actualizing changes that people desire.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in several diverse settings, which has given me a unique therapeutic approach. I am passionate about working with individuals who have felt unseen and misunderstood. My intention is to create a space where you feel safe and empowered to stand with the feelings that continue to cause you pain, fear, or discomfort.

I provide quality mental health counseling and therapy that is thoughtfully tailored to your needs. Our work together will address concerns in an empowering and centering way that produces substantive change. My approach is connective (Therapy works best when we are able to connect and work well together) and directive (by directive I mean that I give things for you to do during the week like writing, journaling, reading, exercises, reflections, and/or activities). I'm known for being helpful with people who have been through therapy and haven't had success. I help people find aliveness, creativity, and strength.

I have been in practice for over 30 years and feel that I'm best at dealing with individuals with anxiety, depression and relationship issues. The goal of all my work is to help individuals live up to their full potential. I have an expertise with numerous techniques to accomplish this goal. Traditional insight-oriented, cognitive/behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy and specialty techniques such as hypnotherapy, biofeedback and relaxation training are just a few of the interventions I use.

My goal as a trauma-informed psychotherapist is to provide evidence-based interventions for individuals who are struggling and seek to make positive changes in their lives. I believe that a therapeutic alliance can be an essential factor in the healing process; therefore, my commitment is to help and support individuals by providing a safe environment where feelings and thoughts can be expressed freely, without judgment. My focus is to guide you in empowering yourself to improve your mental health, and ultimately, your overall well-being.

I specialize in couples counseling, family counseling, counseling with men, and premarital counseling. I help clients make meaning of their struggles, articulate their desires, and collaborate to reach their goals. I normalize and interpret conflict in terms of differences, identity, connection, and power issues. Intimacy and anger, stress and time constraints, are often the focus of our work together. I tend to be fairly transparent and strengths-focused. I also specialize in the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers a range of services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I am co-owner and have worked extensively as a child, adolescent, and family therapist. I believe that effective treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment so that an individualized plan can be mutually developed. My style is warm, supportive, and educational. Parents often come to me when they are having difficulties understanding and responding to their child's behavior. Children enjoy my developmentally appropriate style which helps them gain mastery over their anxiety, impulsivity or depression. I work closely with parents to ensure treatment success.

Welcome; I enjoy helping people cope with anxiety, depression, anger management, couple relationships, and life transitions. (divorce, loss, career change, family relationships) I have a directive, practical approach that balances understanding and support with guidance and direction. I believe that in order for therapy to be meaningful, it is important to work together and create an individualized approach which is a unique match for your concerns and style. Many people who have felt little or no progress in therapy before, have made positive changes with my active, engaged approach.

The foundation of my work with clients is based on the belief that "it's the relationship that heals." Relationships are vital to our emotional and psychological growth and how we take care of them is important. My goal is to provide a safe, respectful, and empathic place to discuss those situations that matter to you most. I lean toward a relational, psychodynamic, and spiritual approach to the therapeutic process and provide a place to process the meaning of your experiences and help you reconstruct them to reduce barriers to your emotional health.

For many of us, living an emotionally and physically healthy lifestyle, while working, trying to build friendships, finding companionship, are at times difficult and disheartening. I offer therapeutic support aimed at enhancing your natural strengths, introduce new coping abilities, challenge unproductive thoughts, beliefs, and patterns of behavior, as well as providing you the opportunity to try on a new perspective toward your life. I have worked predominately with the LGBTQ+ population, as well as variety of communities located in the Lakeview area.

I practice what I like to call relationship therapy. This means I work best with people who are psychologically-minded and want to develop a therapeutic relationship with me. Together (key word!) we seek to understand (another key word) the roots of your emotional distress. My belief is that these roots may be hidden or disguised, but never totally beyond one's grasp. Change is always possible.

Alexandra Fox is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with experience providing therapy for adults, adolescents, families and couples. Alexandra specializes in treating anxiety, depression,grief, self esteem concerns, women’s issues, adult life transitions and couple conflict and intimacy. Alexandra utilizes a psychodynamic approach to therapy in conjunction with mindfulness techniques to provide clients with the skills to feel more present at work and in their everyday lives. Understanding how people develop their own characteristic patterns of behaving, feeling and thinking informs her clinical work. Alexandra earned her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University.

Elena Vassallo has twenty-eight years of experience helping people with anxiety, depression, grief, phase of life transitions, low self-esteem, feelings of meaninglessness, relationship issues and more.

I have been working in the mental health field for nearly two decades, with a diverse array of clients: adults, adolescents, children, families, couples, groups, foster care, substance abuse, mental illness and more. I offer telehealth services and/or my office is conveniently located near public transportation and off street parking. I offer day, and evening appointments and will work with you, or your insurance, to assure coverage. I would like the opportunity to build a collaborative therapeutic relationship with you and provide you with the support, honesty and understanding we all need to grow.

I am a warm, engaging and compassionate therapist who has been practicing for more than 20 years. I provide a calm, safe and thoughtful space for my clients to explore their lives.