Relational Therapists in Loop, Chicago, IL

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.

Starting therapy is hard and it is important to find someone you trust and feel comfortable with. If you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, or identity/relationship issues I would love to talk with you. I have extensive experience in working with mental health concerns related to these areas, and more, and I integrate a variety of approaches and techniques into my work as a means of promoting growth and change. Therapy might not be a place for quick fixes but it can lead to lasting change. I offer free phone consultations to talk and see if we might work well together.

Are you and your partner(s) at a place where you realize that your communication, sex life, and emotional safety are at a breaking point and you need more help? As a sex and couple therapist, I believe that all problems are relational- one of you is not "the problem"- your patterns of relating to one another that have become twisted with hurt and resentment over time are the problem. My style of conducting therapy is validating, structured, goal-oriented, observational and direct, with an element of coaching through in-session interventions and homework to complete outside of our meetings.

I believe that all people have dignity, worth, and the right to live life in a way that brings them joy. Our ability to live joyfully can be limited due to imbalances of power we experience in our world. Because of such experiences we suffer, and suffering left unaddressed can lead to limiting beliefs and behaviors. These behaviors are usually adopted as a matter of necessity to survive, yet they can keep us from being the most authentic and happy version of ourselves. The therapeutic relationship can heal and transform our lives through affirmation, validation and sustained attention on our thoughts, beliefs and behaviors.

The task of finding a new therapist to walk with you in your journey toward growth, hope, and healing can be so difficult! My style is relational and dynamic, meaning that I hold the past and present together as we work through your story to examine places you feel stuck or want to make changes. Your safety in the therapeutic relationship is important in order to facilitate the exploration of what can be painful thoughts, feelings, and memories. I integrate evidence-based techniques, cultural humility, and a nonjudgemental perspective to help you find your strengths and meet your life goals.

Therapy is a rich opportunity for gaining invaluable insights regarding the ways in which fears, disavowed wishes, and injustices from the past can motivate current behavior, and how individuals, often resiliently, continue to live above a rubble of neglected wounds. I believe the success of treatment is dependent upon the establishment of a solid therapeutic relationship and that the therapeutic alliance is a reciprocal "we-relationship" where healing and growth can occur. I also may incorporate more direct mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral approaches in therapy when effective to promote symptomatic change.

I believe in the art of therapy and the power of the therapeutic alliance. I view therapy as a journey in which two people walk alongside one another in an attempt to better understand who the individual is and how they fit into the world around them.

Taking steps toward change and getting help can be incredibly difficult. I strive to support people who want to suffer less and create more meaning in their lives. I believe that we need to have compassion toward ourselves in order to heal, though this can be difficult when we are struggling emotionally. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to share their stories, helping to cultivate compassion and build insight in order to encourage change. While I enjoy working with people of all ages, I primarily work with older adolescents and adults.

I identify as a multi-racial, gender-nonconforming queer male. My work with all clients is informed by frameworks like antiracism, social justice, feminism, and anti-imperialism. I bring authenticity and genuine empathy to each client, pairing these with effective and approachable therapeutic interventions that research says work. I can help with micro-level goals like improving mood and reducing anxiety, on macro-level goals like recovering from trauma and coping with systemic oppression, and on relational goals like building intimacy. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are my personal and professional values.

In a safe and judgement-free relationship where you can first feel heard and understood, I can help you more fully understand the unhelpful relational, emotional, and/or thinking patterns that may need adjusting in order to help you live the life you'd like to live. I will offer support, direct feedback, & coping strategies to provide you with skills and more immediate relief, while we work toward increased insight and improved self-awareness, achieving lasting growth and change.

I have had a diverse set of professional experiences that allow me to work with many different people experiencing varying challenges and at various stages of life. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to recognize the humanity in all people and to work from a non-judgmental, mutually respecting stance that recognizes the expertise and strength in everyone when they walk through the door.

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.

Choosing a therapist you feel you can work well with is critical to successful treatment. I offer a safe, collaborative, empathic & trusting relational space in which you can explore your issues and concerns without fear of judgment. We will work together to help you develop greater self-understanding, foster close, connected relationships, uncover thought & behavioral patterns that interfere with happiness, master coping skills and achieve the emotional vitality necessary to a healthy, productive and satisfying life. In addition to excellent training, I also bring life experience, wisdom, curiosity and compassion into treatment.

It takes a great deal of courage to share your experiences with someone, and I am honored to walk this journey with you! Together we can explore how current (and past) stressors and uncertainties may be impacting your lived experience. I aim to co-create an open and warm therapeutic space of collaboration where we can unfold your experiences and culture while strengthening insight, healthy coping skills, and self-compassion. In this process we can explore a holistic understanding of your self in the context of your relationships and the world. I offer easy-to-use, HIPAA-compliant TeleHealth/teletherapy services.

I believe in creating a welcoming therapeutic space that is both person-centered and affirming. Therapy is a place for you and I work together to identify challenges and develop more effective ways of addressing those challenges. My services are always tailored to the individual and I work to maintain a collaborative and strengths-based environment where trust and safety are a top priority. Ultimately, I hope that our work together helps you feel comfortable and confident as you navigate the world.

While they are a vital part of our lives and can bring us so much joy - relationships are complex! Think about it - although people spend years learning and practicing most key skills, many people have had limited opportunity learning about relationships and emotional skills. I work with people who are often very successful in many aspects of their lives, but who get stuck in emotional or relational patterns. They know they desire for things to be different and more satisfying but are not quite sure how to get there. That's where therapy can be a powerful platform for change!

Therapeutic work requires trust, and I feel it is an enormous privilege to be trusted with another person’s struggles, joys, and stories. I deeply value the human experience and am dedicated to my role as a therapist. As a final-year Masters student at the University of Chicago, my approach to therapy is constantly growing alongside my communities, the larger socio-political landscape, and the natural world. I employ multiple modalities: Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Psychodynamic, Relational-Cultural Theory, and queer theory. I’m able to tailor my therapeutic approach to your unique needs and individual growth.

I believe therapy is a collaborative space for folks to explore their biographies and learn to hold deeper relationships with their own self and others. Change happens when we feel safe to be curious and understanding of our patterns and choices. I invite clients to explore the intersections of their identities with me as we create a space that is brave and trusting. I see the connection between the external world and our internal experience as central to the therapy process. I'm mindful to social identities, dynamics in family systems, and the larger cultural landscape that impact a person's sense of self.

Hi there! I’m Rachel (she/her) and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Trained in Integrative Systemic Therapy at Northwestern University, I am most passionate about working with couples and individuals (older teens, young adults, adults) presenting with various needs, concerns, and presentations. These include depression/anxiety, trauma, complex PTSD, attachment issues, codependency, life transitions, and relational conflict.