Therapists in Chicago, IL

I offer a holistic, individualized approach to treatment centered around the client-therapist relationship. My training is in relational psychodynamic psychotherapy; however, I use a variety of therapeutic interventions including art therapy, breathwork, yoga for trauma, meditation and mindfulness. I believe in empowering each individual through psychoeducation around sleep and diet, attachment styles, the mind-body connection, etc. I have extensive experience in working with trauma, including survivors of domestic violence, emotional & sexual abuse as well as complex childhood trauma. I see adults, adolescents and families.

If you are serious about coping with all forms of stress in your life related to emotional, relational, work, and physical health than I am very interested in supporting you to develop the skills to heal yourself. I challenge people to move away from emotional ruts and embrace a happier and more productive life. If you are struggling with issues around self-esteem, substance abuse, fears and phobias, and/or relationship challenges, I can give you the support you need to improve the quality of your life.

I welcome individuals, couples and families that are questioning why their own attempts to improve the quality of their lives is not working. A questioning individual suggests to me a person that wants to change and live more creatively. Often there can be mixed feelings about change. I recognize that change is difficult. I feel that self exploration is a challenging enterprise that often requires courage and risk.

PLEASE NOTE: I am not taking NEW referrals at this time. I provide individual therapy in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. I act as a guide and challenge you to explore what and why things may not be "working" in your life, as well as provide support and feedback to you about the patterns in your relationships. Finding a therapist who is a "good fit" for you can be difficult, so call me and we can discuss what you are looking for further.

I believe people are the experts in their own lives. With a client-centered approach, I will offer insight and tools to work with you to reach your goals. I have over 5 years of experience in supporting survivors of abuse and others experiencing stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions. Everyone’s experience is unique and I will employ a variety of techniques and resources to help you on your journey.

The current state of the world can feel overwhelming, confusing, and scary. Those of us who hold marginalized identities have to work extra hard to feel safe, valid, and empowered. LGBTQIA+ communities, folks with different abilities, people who are a marginalized gender, as well as those who would like to explore their whiteness and their privilege- I am right here with you. Past traumas can often impact how we are able to show up for ourselves and others. We each have the ability to find our unique path to fulfillment and wholeness.

Do you want to feel more connection, belonging, authenticity and meaning in your life? Its possible - belonging is inside work. Youre not alone. I believe the best therapeutic interventions are co-created. We work together to identify what you would like to work on and discuss ways you can better know yourself or approach a situation. We practice balancing self awareness with compassion, nonjudgment, and without pathologizing. CLICK on my WEBSITE to get a better sense of what I do and who I am! ALSO IG here: @christinamariesprayberry

Are you struggling with emotions, relationships, behaviors, or life circumstances that are interfering with living the life you dream of, or once had? For over 20 years, I have compassionately and effectively helped individuals and couples alleviate distress and increase self-understanding and life satisfaction. Your therapy will be tailored specifically for you as we collaborate to understand your concerns and strengths as well as plan for improving your life and relationships. My work with you will be respectful, empathic, and interactive.

All of us need help at some time. My clients tell me they feel understood but not judged when they meet with me - and that their own understanding of themselves and their challenges grows. But I know that effective therapy work must go beyond being cared about and understood. I bring a commitment to helping people change problems in their lives.

“After trauma the world becomes sharply divided between those who know and those who don’t. People who have not shared the traumatic experience cannot be trusted, because they can’t understand it” - Dr. B. Van Der Kolk. Because of my own experiences with trauma, I have a unique understanding of the importance of working with someone who “gets it”. Trauma and grief are incredibly heavy and affect all aspects of our lives. Through therapeutic work, I have found my way to the other side. My passion is to help others do the same.

Self-care and healthy relationships can have a significant impact on an individual's mental health. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, I believe in enhancing personal growth. I am dedicated to being an attentive and active listener. I will work collaboratively with you to develop short and long-term goals and in identifying barriers to accomplishing and maintaining these goals. My support and encouragement can instill hope and motivation to change by developing healthy coping skills.

When we experience psychological and emotional stress, our brains and bodies have automatic coping mechanisms to help us survive, such as being flooded with adrenaline to help us fight or flee or shutting down to protect us from unimaginable stress. Sometimes, however, the things we experience can overwhelm our minds, bodies, and emotions, and we essentially get stuck re-experiencing our traumas and repeating harmful patterns in how we engage with ourselves and others. I believe we each have the power, ability, and wisdom within ourselves to heal, but that sometimes we need guidance in knowing how to harness our own resiliency.

I believe in the transformative power of a compassionate and trusting therapeutic relationship. I value patience and kindness as I walk with my clients through their struggles. There are many paths to healing, and I invite my clients to collaborate with me on identifying their barriers and overcoming them with curiosity and creativity. Each person has innate strengths, and I work with clients on harnessing these tools. Together, we shine a light on old narratives to make way for change and transformation.

Relationships can be very difficult. You may feel like you want to spend time with someone or be around more people, yet you find yourself home alone, feeling unwanted or staying in hurtful relationships. Possibly feeling too tired or worn out to connect with others, or just feeling like no one would understand you or how you are feeling anyway. You may even tell yourself there is no point in making the effort to get out. These things can be turned around. You can connect with people you care about and have a healthy relationship. I became a therapist because I have seen in my personal experiences people who have been hurt or used.

I help people achieve healing and wellness in their lives by focusing on positivity and internal strengths. I believe the mind and the body connect and affect one another. This is why I believe therapy can help people who are feeling overwhelmed with big emotions, having difficulties with life transitions, struggling with past traumas, feeling anxieties over the future, repair or create healthy connections or relationships with others and obtain inner peace.

This practice offers a positive psychology point of view, taking a strengths based approach with each person. Self esteem & identity may be a focus in our work together. I am very experienced counseling C-Level executives & professionals, helping with progressive integration of self reflective capacity & the demands of leadership , executive/ founder/ professional related stress, or illness issues that impact on work. Therapy may open a safe space for you to explore your real self to connect with your deeper well of intrapsychic potentials which can permit you to access your inner voice, untapped resources & to self renew.

I specialize in helping my clients holistically work through anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, work-life balance, marital/relationship issues, communication, and family of origin issues. Whether it is managing anxious symptoms, navigating inhibiting conflict, or even just tackling the stressors that come up in the day-to-day, I work with you to uncover your inherent strengths, and help you leverage them with quality strategies to achieve healthy, desired change. Each session, I collaborate with you to lift your biggest constraints, offer quality guidance, and provide the tools to connect with yourself and others more freely.

I actively foster a collaborative alliance with clients. I provide focus and support as we work together to increase your self-awareness and identify specific strategies to help you address the challenges you are experiencing. As part of this process, I help you become more mindful of habits that might get in your way while learning new approaches to live more authentically. I help you identify and build upon your strengths in cultivating resilience to manage life's challenges. I draw on over forty years of clinical experience with varied populations in inpatient and outpatient settings.

As one of the first in-home addiction treatment providers in the country, we are an excellent fit for those struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress who want to remain engaged in positive forces in their lives (work, family) while they recover. Our clients also value the privacy and convenience that our treatment program offers. Of course, there should not be a one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, as you have unique needs and goals. To that end, our clients have a dedicated team of addiction professionals to provide psychiatry, medication, and counseling services as appropriate, over the course of an entire year. Not only are we able to more precisely tailor your recovery program than other addiction treatment providers, but we also help you learn and practice coping skills in the environment in which your sobriety will be tested.