Emotionally Focused Therapists in Loop, Chicago, IL

I wonder if your life’s journey feels filled with twists and turns that manifest in countless ways. Perhaps you find yourself asking questions like, “Well, what now? Where to? How did I/we get here? How do I/we get there instead?”. Maybe your paths can seem never-ending, you experience unanticipated steep cliffs, and/or you revisit familiar, unfulfilling destinations. It's in these moments of struggle and feeling stuck that I ask clients to welcome me to support them. Where you have questions about the paths you experience and have not taken. When you are either upset or self-reflective. Let me help you figure out the next steps.

The decision to seek therapy can be difficult, as it's hard to reach out for help. My goal is to make therapy feel less overwhelming through a collaborative partnership where together we identify your challenges and develop healthy coping skills. My style, rooted in warmth and humor, utilizes the therapeutic relationship to explore positive change and growth. Customized feedback and a range of strategies are provided drawing from evidenced based research and years of clinical expertise. I specialize in individual and couples therapy uniquely focusing on enhancing relationships, healing from the past, and thriving individually.

As your therapist, I explore what suits your goals, your identity, and your personality. My clinical approach is inclusive of your visible and invisible identities. My specialties and experiences include depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment, substance use, self-esteem, life transitions, relapse prevention, and relationship issues. I primarily utilize Emotion Focused Therapy ( EFT ), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), the Gottman Method, and Motivational Interviewing.

I work with adults, couples, adolescents and families around issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief/loss, infertility and trauma. I have been trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy ( EFT ). My clients describe my approach as warm and supportive yet straightforward. My goal is to help clients better understand their past so they can make positive changes for their future. I believe in empowering my clients to live their best lives and tailor my approach to each individual or family. I truly love the work that I do and I believe that comes through to my clients in the work that we do together.

Are you looking to make a change in your life but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? I support my clients through navigating the journey of personal growth and transformation, which can often feel confusing, difficult, and scary. As your therapist, I work to understand your struggles and strengths, so that we may walk step-by-step through your discomfort and toward your goals.

Welcome! I am an advanced therapy extern at CCBH and a fourth-year clinical psychology doctoral student. I believe seeking therapy is the ultimate gift to oneself, in that it is a space just for you. It opens possibilities for self-exploration, problem-solving, and meaning-making. I am honored to help adolescents, adults, and couples from all walks of life. My strengths lie in helping folx with histories of complex trauma, sexual trauma, illness (pain, cancer, reproductive, or sexual health issues), grief, and relationship issues.

I am passionate in working with relational issues, either when helping individuals or couples and families. I believe that our relationships have an essential impact on our well-being. I am yet to hear a client or a friend or a family member talk about distress that is not somehow associated to a relational issue... Aren't we all longing to belong and to find safety and security in the arms of our loved ones (partners, parents or very dear friends that are like family)? And yet, these are precisely the people that can hurt us the most.

Having practiced psychotherapy and counseling for the past 20 years, I work to form an empathic relationship with clients and form a collaborative understanding of the difficulties that brought them to therapy, and how to best solve them. The goal is to find more satisfying relationships and fulfilling ways of being in the world. I work primarily from an Emotion-focused therapy ( EFT ) framework, although I have been trained in a variety of different psychotherapeutic methods. EFT is an empirically-supported approach that is flexible in that it allows the integration of other methods and techniques when necessary.

I am a relational, systemic therapist who works with individual adults and couples. I believe most clients seek therapy because their approach to improving their lives is not working. They feel stuck and without direction. I help individuals and couples develop new strategies to improve their relationships, cope with significant pain and loss, and live more fulfilled and satisfying lives. My approach is empathetic, honest, interactive, and direct. I value client insight and recognize the importance of a trusting and open therapeutic relationship to bring about healing.

It takes great courage to live out our authentic selves, find wisdom underneath our emotions, and repair and transform relationships that are close to heart. I admire your strength and humanity. As a counseling psychologist, researcher, and professor, I received doctoral and postdoctoral training in individual, couple, family, and group psychotherapy. As an immigrant, I witness life and culture in its nuances and complexities. I believe (and research shows) that, built upon a safe and trusting relationship, therapy can effectively support people to find clarity, authenticity, and resolution through the richness of our life journeys.

You may want to make changes, yet feel beaten down by worry. A part of you may be aware that difficult experiences you’ve faced throughout your life could be connected to your current struggles. As an intuitive holistic counselor I believe we can change by healing from the inside out. What shows up in our outer life through negative thoughts, unwanted behaviors, body discomfort or difficult feelings can be a signal or sign we are ready for change. I believe the present symptoms or conditions give us clues to what is going on inside, possibly connected to past difficult experiences that need attention, understanding and healing.

I have worked with individuals of all ages who are experiencing various stressors such as adults experiencing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma, relationship issues, career discernment, struggles with identity and substance abuse problems. I have also worked with teenagers and adolescents who are having difficulties with school, peer pressure, and/or a history of trauma. I enjoy working with couples and families, as well. I am also interested in the intersection between physical health and mental health as I believe in a holistic therapeutic approach.

Are you feeling stuck or unsure of yourself? Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, work/life balance, relationship concerns, or how to achieve what you really want? We can help you find your authentic voice, connect to your inner strengths, discover new perspectives, and effectively assert yourself to make the positive changes you need. We will help you manage your self-critical voices and gain meaningful insights into your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. We specialize in helping young and not so young adults who are struggling with self-confidence, relationships, trauma, life transitions, and issues of identity.

Are you the person you want to be? Are you having difficulty in your relationship or career? Do you often feel as if you are not good enough? As a man, do you avoid or deny your feelings? Are you stung by a recent breakup/divorce? Ask yourself a different question. Are you ready to feel empowered and thrive? My goal is to help you increase self-awareness & make positive lasting changes in thoughts and behavior. I provide integrated therapy and consulting customized to your unique situation, goals, personality, strengths, and history. To help you become a better version of yourself and reach your unlimited potential.

Hello! I've joined Affiliates In Counseling so I can continue my work using emotionally focused strategies to work with adults & teens who suffer from anxiety, depression and stress, as well as those experiencing grief, life changes, job loss and isolation, in both the northern suburbs and in Chicago. As a couples & family counselor, I've had great success utilizing these same emotional tools to strengthen and enhance more effective and long-term communication skills, helping to build more fulfilling relationships. Finally, I had the honor working directly in both the post-deployment veteran and LGBTQ communities during my training.

Mediocracy is not enough when it comes to providing care for those with mental health disorders and relationship challenges. I believe in the importance of every person having access to quality mental health care regardless of their background. I strive to help my clients develop and implement the skills needed for them to improve themselves as a whole. I believe that everyone has the capacity to grow and be resilient with the proper tools and support. Helping to guide my clients through their personal life journey with confidence and courage is my ultimate goal.

My therapeutic approach is to fosters a space where the past, present, and future intersect in a way that healing, empowerment, and clear direction can flourish. I understand that life can at times be challenging, change can be destabilizing, and loss will cause pain. Through these life transitions one may at times need a safe space to cultivate hope and grow. I employ evidence based practices, cultural sensitivity and awareness to assist you in achieving your therapeutic goals.