Therapists in Buena Park, Chicago, IL

Children and adolescents in today's ever changing world faces a tremendous amount of pressure and stress. This can lead to emotional distress, behavioral changes at home and at school, and social challenges. I provide individual and family therapy to children, adolescents and emerging adults experiencing emotional and behavioral distress to help them build effective skills in order to navigate the up and down's of life. I have extensive experience with children and families living with ADHD, anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, depression, and other behavioral challenges.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

Do you feel held back from achieving your full potential? Trapped by feelings of anxiety or depression? Your story doesn't end here. Let me help you write the next chapter.

Life sometimes throws us unwanted curveballs and challenges that are difficult to navigate on our own. These challenges can make us feel like we are alone and powerless to change the things we want to change. Navigating these challenges in therapy is a way of choosing to face these challenges head on, to grow, and to heal. I know it takes so much courage and strength to bring you here, and my main goal is to match that courage and strength with acceptance, understanding, and unconditional support.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, whether you come in alone, with a partner, or with your family. Together we explore your therapeutic goals. I firmly believe in the power of relationships to foster resilience and healing. In my work, I strive to cultivate connection and curiosity in an active, direct, and compassionate manner as you explore life's challenges -- deepening your understanding of yourself and learning to connect more meaningfully with others.

Sometimes life throws us more than we think we can handle. We feel so sad it hurts. We feel alone and like things won't get better. We worry about things we can't control. We get so stressed and overwhelmed that we start avoiding or procrastinating. We may know what we need to do, but feel stuck or can't seem to actually do it.

Have you ever felt stuck while in a relationship or confused about who you are or where you want to be in your life? Do parts of you feel lost and insecure while other parts of you are so ready to change and give up old habits? These different parts of us may feel pressure from family, friends, work, school, and society to fit a mold of who we are supposed to be as a person. We may even put the most pressure on ourselves to be in control, strive for perfection, or please others. Yet, deep down we may feel empty, out of control, anxious, or inauthentic. You are not alone.

I specialize in working with sexual desire discrepancy and intimacy. Sexual desire discrepancy is when one person in a relationship wants sex more or differently than their partner(s). It is very common and occurs in otherwise happy and healthy relationships. Although common, desire discrepancy can lead to severe relational discord. Through a combination of psychosexual education, deep couple's work, and a compilation of the leading sexual desire discrepancy theories, I have designed a way of addressing desire discrepancy that offers you and your partner(s) a new way to be sexual together. It is not easy work, but it is rewarding.

I work with people who are experiencing anxiety and distress. Many feel stuck in unsatisfying experiences. We can gently explore these experiences in ways that can loosen their "grip", and bring innate healing resources into play, cultivating a deeper sense of ease and opportunity in everyday experience. The dissolving of these unsatisfying patterns, and the appearance and growth of more satisfying ones, happens in both individual and relationship therapy.

What if the things that make you different are actually your strengths? My clients often come to me feeling worried, depressed, disconnected, or overwhelmed-- sometimes, after they've already been trying for years on their own. In our work together, we help you find relief, self-acceptance, positive change, and real growth by building on your unique strengths. I believe that the therapeutic relationship itself is one of the most valuable tools we have to help you feel centered, empowered, and strong. We all deserve to feel seen and accepted for who we are by someone who cares.

I offer therapeutic interventions with warmth and compassion, focusing on strengths to help identify opportunities for change and actualization. My primary areas of experience include depression/anxiety and other mental health concerns, substance use/recovery, and concerns related to gender or sexuality. I see therapy as a journey aiming to get deeper understanding of oneself, relationships, and the world around us.

The ideal client is prepared for a new journey and experience. Clients who work with me soon realize that their strength and freedom comes from within. They feel liberated from their emotional constrains and fears. Through therapy, my clients discover that "They" are the creators and drivers of their own lives. They experience emotional freedom that, in turn brings more balance in their lives. Clients achieve stress relief, improve their self-esteem and self-concept, and experience increased levels of satisfaction in their relationships. They experience an increased ability to work out conflicts in a constructive way.

We support adults and adults experiencing emotional challenges including chronic stress, anxiety, sadness and depression, low self-concept, self-doubt, feelings being stuck, overwhelmed or hopeless and struggles with identity development and relationship challenges.