Women's Issues Therapists in Buena Park, Chicago, IL

I utilize a trauma-informed integrated approach that tailors to the needs of each client. I support clients seeking to learn skills to develop inner strength, find self-awareness, and improve mindfulness. We will collaborate on techniques and treatment goals that allow you the freedom to begin the healing process of the body, mind, spirit, and recovery. As a veteran, I also provide support to veterans and first responders. In my experience with addiction, trauma, PTSD, and life transitions, I find that encompassing acceptance, compassion, and autonomy brings healing and improves the quality of life.

Hey ya'll! I'm Gwen (she/her), a Licensed Social Worker with roots in Chicago. With a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Northeastern Illinois University and a Master of Social Work specializing in mental health from Loyola University Chicago, I'm here to walk alongside you on your journey to healing.

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.

The road to good mental health can be rife with obstacles consisting of navigating social systems, relationships and uncertainties. Years ago, I studied elements of society by riding an entire train route for a school assignment. While traveling through diverse city landscapes and observing fellow travelers, I observed how human behavior changed with time and settings. This experience inspired me to reflect on my own identities and how I interact and engage with the world around me. This observation also helped me define my career path as a supportive guide for others, as the journey to self-discovery should not be an isolated one.

Do things in your life not seem to be working anymore? Are you feeling more disconnected, down and isolated, and unwilling to engage in the things you used to enjoy? Or are you feeling so anxious about life that it no longer seems manageable? Maybe you're drinking more, eating less (or more), or finding it difficult to get out of bed. Perhaps you find the meaningful relationships in your life lacking. Sometimes life throws us curveballs that we don't believe we can recover from. And you know what? That's okay. Because you can get through this.

Change is never easy,but with the assistance of a therapist, you can start to learn skills to move towards your goals. Some of these skills include effective communication, mindfulness, relaxation, and changing negative thought patterns. In my work with couples, I focus on teaching communication skills and understanding underlying issues that effect the relationship.

As a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience in mental health, I have worked with a variety of populations in multiple settings, including outpatient, inpatient, residential, judicial, and educational. As a psychiatric social worker for a large medical system, I provided direct service to individuals struggling with a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship and parenting issues. My collaborative, problem-solving approach to working with clients helps them better understand, navigate, and overcome the challenges of life.

My approach to therapy is based on respect. I work to honor your unique life experience by adjusting my clinical approach to best meet your individual goals for therapy. I strive to provide a safe and collaborative space for clients to explore thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and patterns in order to facilitate meaningful change in your life. Using a holistic and psychodynamic approach, I can help you to utilize your strengths to promote healing.

Congratulations! By looking at this site, you have already taken the first step to your healing process. Psychological struggles can feel so isolating. Psychotherapy is a powerful method for restoring wellness and facilitating both short-term and enduring changes. I utilize a collaborative approach with my clients, which provides them with a non-judgmental and compassionate safe space to feel empowered to take action and change.

Transitions in life such as birth, illness, death, divorce, aging, or career change, can be exciting, but also, devastating, confusing or scary. There can be a variety of reactions to these challenges, and at times having to make choices can leave you feeling stuck or depressed, and unable to make a decision. My passion is guiding women through these life transitions with compassion, empathy, and support. As a Clinical Social Worker, I have learned how important it is to get to the heart of an issue and work toward resolutions, skills I learned working with patients experiencing life altering illnesses.

If you feel unsuccessful, unproductive, unloved, overwhelmed by your own or other people expectations; stressed at work, home, or feel professionally and socially inadequate; or if you are going through sudden crises, trauma, loss, disruptive transitions such as job loss, divorce, and migration, then these problems could be addressed, transformed, and healed through counseling process. My extensive counseling experience has helped many clients to re-build their self-confidence, regain lost hope, and transcendent barriers. I am confident that together we can transform adversities into potentials and weaknesses into strengths.

Our relationships with others can be both fulfilling and challenging. If you don’t feel you have a sense of place or home, I specialize in relationships with couples, families, care-givers, and self. I value collectivist and systemically aware approaches that create trust and empathy. Together, we can develop personal insight that honors your unique needs. We are each dynamic people with different intersections of identity. We can work together to understand and accept your full identity, desires, fears, and experience.

Navigating relationships can feel tricky and confusing. Do you find yourself giving to others and not getting the same in return? Maybe you feel like there is no room for your voice, your opinions, or to ask for your needs to be met by others. You might even have a sense that some of the relationships you are in are unhealthy. You have tried to find balance and fairness, but have felt unsuccessful. I get it! Who you are matters. What you want matters. Whether we are working on work, partner, familial relationships, or the relationship you have with yourself,

Dr. Watkins is a Clinical Psychologist who's profession experience includes psycho-diagnostic assessment and counseling of children, adolescents and adults in the areas of trauma, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, marital guidance, sexuality, juvenile delinquency and phase of life transitions. Dr. Watkins practices from a client-centered framework, focusing on genuineness and unconditional positive regard for clients, with the belief that all persons are capable of functioning at their full, yet personal, potential. Dr. Watkins has served as an Investigator on clinical trials in the areas of Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.

I am a caring professional committed to helping people create positive change in their lives. I believe that you are the one who is in the driver's seat, choosing the direction on the map, while working collaboratively with a caring professional. Ultimately, my goal is to help you gain a better understanding of both your difficulties and strengths, and to acquire tools to gain more satisfaction in your life.

It is normal, on occasion, for everyone to experience some anxiety dealing with life. But lately those feelings have become overwhelming. Over time, it feels like you are anxious about everything, and nothing. The worry is starting to creep into every aspect of your life- work, family, relationships,... even going to get out of bed feels overwhelming some days! You are not going crazy, and you are not alone- anxiety is one of the most common reasons people reach out to for help. Therapy can help get things back to normal.

I am a queer-identified, licensed clinical social worker with over ten years of experience working with individuals, families, and groups of all ages and genders in a variety of therapeutic settings. I believe that our relationships and connections with others are at the heart of our well-being. Utilizing empathetic validation and reflection, I collaborate with clients to strengthen their connection to themselves and others. “One of my primary goals is to hold a safe, non-judgmental space for my clients to explore and express their feelings, and to also embrace the power of sitting together in silence.”

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, I am here to help navigate life’s challenges and collaborate not only on your mental health journey thus far, but also what’s to come. I practice with a client-centered approach and enjoy the beauty in co-creating a therapeutic dynamic. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and exploring the unknown can be overwhelming - I provide a safe space that accentuates your values, strengths, and beliefs while increasing self-awareness to what has been inside of you all along. Together, we can expand on previous coping skills while also developing new ones to help grow throughout your journey.

IIPC is a place that is as healing for our healers as it is for our clients. We believe humans thrive in connection and community, feeling seen and heard for who they are and what they have experienced. We are a diverse group of clinicians and inspiration-makers who know that to hold others in their process, we must also feel held. Staff are experts in their own identities, lives and careers. We are better clinicians by bringing our whole selves to our work.