Psychodynamic Therapists in Lake View, Chicago, IL

Primary Care Psychology Associates, LLC is the premier provider of outpatient adult and pediatric psychological services in Central and Northern Chicagoland. We provide comprehensive pediatric (0-18) and adult psychological services, including psychological assessment, consultation, and psychotherapy (individual, couples, and family). Our locations are accessible and conveniently located close to major transportation hubs throughout the greater Chicago area. For more information on our locations and our therapists, please visit www.pcpachicago.com

I began my career as a practicing attorney representing women in abusive relationships in order of protection and divorce proceedings. As a therapist, I use my legal and therapeutic background to provide individual counseling prior to, during, and after divorce. Divorce is a traumatic life event that can have a ripple effect on nearly every aspect of one's life. I offer clients both concrete help to better understand the legal system and what they can expect from the process, while also working to gain deeper insight into what happened in the relationship and starting to heal from the experience.

Your mind is a priceless treasure uniquely created to seek meaning. The drive to lead a productive, joyful, and life-affirming existence, with insight into the motivation of self and others, compels us to overcome challenging concerns with purposeful energy and skillful action. Seeking therapy is brave, and you deserve a warm, collaborative, and supportive therapist, committed to helping you achieve your goals. Skilled in analysis of complex patterns of emotion, thought and behavior, I bring a comprehensive, non-judgmental approach to the art and science of shaping human behavior. For an appointment, call, email, or click Website.

I'm here to listen. Stuck, hurt, scared, or lost; finding your path again can be difficult. Whether you are returning to therapy or beginning for the first time, together we can identify what is holding you back and how to overcome it. I aim to provide a safe, trusting, non-judgmental space for you to reflect, heal, and grow.

I am a passionate clinician dedicated to understanding the needs of my clients and engaging in advocacy on their behalf. I am an attuned listener who strives to fully know each client’s unique story, how it shapes who they are, and the goals they want to achieve. I have worked with both children and adults providing therapy and utilizing comprehensive psychological assessments to guide their work. Throughout my years of practice, I have helped individuals with trauma, depression, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental challenges. I have an emphasis in neuropsychology and mainly provide neuropsychological and psychological assessments.

I have experience with and love working with all ages: children, adolescents, young adults, families, and couples; and with those presenting with anxiety, depression, PTSD, CPTSD, developmental disorders, and chronic mental illness, among others. I am grounded in psychodynamic therapy, with an emphasis on attachment based interventions and Family Systems. Furthermore, I integrate different therapies (when needed), taking into consideration the complexity of multicultural perspectives that shape our lives, to meet the unique needs of each individual.

Life is not fair; there is often an imbalance and you may feel overwhelmed, anxious or depressed. You may feel like you just don’t know who you are anymore, that you lack a voice or feel stuck. These emotions can leave someone feeling lost in the world.

"The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"-Anais Nin. Asking for help can be hard and I admire your courage in taking this step. Working together in a safe and nurturing environment, we will navigate struggles, develop healthy coping skills, and gain a deeper understanding of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors so you can heal, grow, and thrive. For over twenty years I have worked with people of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, races, and cultures on issues with relationships, loss, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders.

Individuals and relationships are dynamic; you may have received messages from people in the world that have you questioning parts of yourself. Integrating authentic, complex parts of yourself can help you feel more full and move you towards meaning and vitality. I provide a warm grounded environment to help you explore your unique experiences and identities with self-compassion and curiosity, even if what you are feeling is overwhelming or hard to talk about.

I work with clients to develop insights and build coping skills that will improve their ability to navigate challenges with less distress and in a manner that leads to increased peace, happiness and purpose. I believe a strong therapeutic connection is an important part of the therapeutic process. I strive to develop a deep understanding of a client’s past, present and hopes for the future so that I tailor my treatment approach to the personality, therapeutic needs and goals of every client I work with.

We are lucky enough to have unique experiences in life that shape us into the individual we are. Some experiences can be joyful while others can be difficult. It may be easy for difficult experiences to overshadow the good; no two persons’ experiences affect them the same. I aim to celebrate each person’s unique identities in a safe environment while supporting them on their mental health journey.

Life can give us experiences of fun and excitement. At the same time, there are periods where day-to-day life becomes overwhelming. When these waves of overwhelm arrive, we can experience difficulty identifying ways to deal with our feelings. We may struggle in naming what we are feeling and subsequently experience a sense of impossibility and helplessness. Through my work with individuals and couples, I developed a repertoire of interventions to guide my clients who are struggling with relational issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, and emotional dysregulation.

Therapy is a significant step towards discovering your true self and to understand the issues that shape and block you from leading a more authentic fulfilling life. Through the context of a trusting relationship I will work with you to uncover your goals. Symptoms are messages of blockage and unbalance our way of trying to cope. Understanding the message behind the symptoms and getting past them is part of the work and require a gentle challenging partnership. I focus on attachment history, values and experiences that have shaped who you are. I work with adults of all ages and diagnosis's.

I work with adults affected by anxiety, abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal), grief/loss, Major Depressive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bipolar Disorder, suicide of family member, co-worker or other, and women's issues. Experience: 30 + years in the psychiatry department of a major university clinic and 25 years of private practice. Wide range of therapies to offer the best "fit" for each client. My therapy approach is collaborative, interactive, strengths-based and focused on change. Former faculty member of The Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago (12 years.)

I believe therapy should be a safe place for you to identify your innate strengths, deepen your sense of self, and find solutions for the things that challenge you in life. When I work with clients, I use a strengths-based and client-centered approach incorporated with empathy, acceptance and compassion. I whole-heartedly believe that sensitivity is power and being vulnerable is a form of strength.

I am a general practitioner whose personal style is warm and interactive. I utilize a psychodynamic approach informed by acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive-behavioral (CBT) principles. Psychotherapy at Third Wave Wellness provides a unique opportunity to transform one’s suffering. Learning to be more present, create space for discomfort, and mine for greater meaning allows us to take new actions to find joy, calm and purpose. Therapy and coaching are highly collaborative, we work together toward your goals.