Career Counseling Therapists in North Center, Chicago, IL

I pursued a career in therapy because I believe that holistic healing is possible. Taking care of your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellness, enables you to take care of others, and live a life of joy. With a background in the arts, storytelling, and visual media, I integrate the power of story in the narrative of your life, past present and future. Where are you right now? How has right now been impacted by your past, and what is a vision and purpose for who you want to be? What do you want your life to look like in the future? We can work on all this together.

Everyone has a story to tell. But how we choose to tell it is up to us. Through the act of retelling, confronting, and finding strength within, it empowers us when writing our next chapter. I am dedicated to helping my clients explore what their next chapter could look like.

I am a thoughtful, caring, therapist, with 25+ yrs experience helping people heal, enrich & stimulate their lives. Therapy relies on connection & the process of therapy. In these difficult times there's pervasive confusion & disappointment. Talking things through & exploring complicated feelings is essential. I can help articulate goals & make plans to help you feel fulfilled. Through the years I work with teens, adults, LGBTQ & straight couples, & groups. I also teach the Artist Way, about connecting with your creativity and finding your voice. In addition I do career counseling. I love my work and feel lucky to do what I do.

Identifying interferences to optimal personal functioning and removing them is an important part of emotional growth, often leading to or facilitating an improved sense of health in the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspect of both individual and our interpersonal experiences. My job, as a therapist, is to support my clients' feelings and thoughts however they may emerge, while at the same time working to encourage the transformation of those emotions and thoughts into transitions toward the pursuit of a fuller, more satisfying life.

As a therapist, I am always committed to my client's potential and well being. I focus on my client's strengths and core values to collaborate with them to find healing and solutions for their therapeutic needs. Empathy, constructive listening and feedback are combined with theory and holistic evidence-based practices to provide effective clinical support. Over the course of my career, I have worked with diverse patient populations in various settings. These range from working in medically managed inpatient detoxification services, to clinically supervising a 28-day residential treatment program, to outpatient individual therapy.

Many of us are not taught to prioritize mental health and end up unsure of what to do when faced with difficult feelings. Therapy does not need to be scary or intimidating. My style is warm and deeply collaborative. Together, we will set goals, continually make sure we're moving in the right direction, and maybe even have a laugh or two along the way. I am a lifelong learner. In therapy, I draw upon the latest neurobiology research to help you understand how what's going on in your brain and nervous system can affect your mood and behavior.

I'm Sam (she/her). I am a licensed clinical social worker in the Chicago-land area with 7 years of experience. I have provided individual, family, and group counseling as well as having extensive experience with crisis intervention. Throughout my career I have worked with clients during all stages of the lifespan. I am especially passionate about working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, self-harm, trauma and life transitions. I tend to gravitate towards interventions that integrate mind and body, but I fundamentally believe that each client requires an individualized approach.

I strive to offer a safe, non-judgmental space where collaboration and authenticity can flourish. Emotional growth takes courage and prioritizing our own healing can be revolutionary, not just for us but also for our families and our communities.

Are you hoping for a therapy experience where you feel seen and motivated for lasting change? I hope that if you are struggling with excessive anxiety or periods of low mood that you might reach out. I have a style of therapy that creates a place of safety and exploration. I think that therapy is noble work and not only important but worth it. I can help you create new patterns while having compassion and moving away from old unhealthy ones. I have a background in the corporate world and I blend my knowledge from that experience with a therapeutic one which gives me a unique approach to change.

It takes courage to face your challenges head on, and I want to congratulate you on taking this first step. I believe strongly you are a uniquely gifted individual who is capable of determining your own goals and direction. My role is to provide feedback, guidance, and support as you navigate this process. I believe when you are better able to identify and understand what causes you to think and feel the way you do, you will see a shift in how you respond to stressors in your day to day life.

I view therapy as an opportunity for the exploration of oneself, one's relationships, and one's experiences in the world. I will provide you with an environment dedicated to increasing your understanding of yourself and your situation, and we will work together toward your development of new skills to accomplish your goals.

My approach to therapy is warm, positive, holistic, and collaborative. I strive to provide a safe and non-judgmental trusting environment to allow clients to tell their story. My goal is to remove the stigma related to therapy and provide a clinical approach to everyday life stressors. As a therapist I can help individuals leverage their strengths and to understand life experiences better. I seek to work with clients to build a trusting relationship, be a listening ear and provide effective coping skills when things become overwhelming.

There are times we might feel like we have failed, are stuck, or feel like there is no hope for change. Asking for help can be very difficult, and it takes a lot of strength and courage to reach out to another. I believe therapy is not just for those experiencing a life crisis or current difficulty - therapy is an opportunity to gain new insight into self, learn new skills, and position oneself to increase health and wellness. I am a Licenced Clinical Social Worker who approaches therapy from a relational, collaborative, and strength-based. I believe everyone deserves a safe space to speak freely.

Are you hoping for a therapeutic experience that actually makes changes in your life? I deeply value the opportunity to listen and partner with individuals as they pursue healing, hope, and growth in their lives. I believe developing a trusting relationship with your therapist is key. My approach is warm, respectful, and curious as I invite clients to explore narratives and stories that shape their lives. In therapy I find it’s important to acknowledge all aspects of our person that impact our mental health, including our family, relevant life circumstances, cultural background, and experiences.

Do you feel like no one truly knows you? Do you feel like if people knew the REAL you that you wouldn't be accepted or loved? Depression, shame, and anxiety are all common experiences as we reflect on our unwanted behavior, relational discord, past trauma, and family of origin. The motivation to change becomes all that much harder when you seek it out alone. You want to believe there is hope for a brighter day. Let's work together as we honor your resiliency and work towards healing because the question "what would you prefer?" is worth asking. You want to live a life of freedom. Let's boldly walk into that freedom together.

Parts of life are heartbreaking, challenging, and anxiety producing. Working together, we can find a way to enhance your ability to provide yourself empathy, discern life's most difficult choices, and heal painful wounds. Recognizing and utilizing our greatest strengths can enhance our ability to face life's toughest challenges. I look forward to being a supportive and compassionate therapist as you resiliently and thoughtfully examine your self, relationships, and mood or emotions.

We are Chicagoans: wonderfully diverse, unique and exceptional. You are probably here because things are difficult. As it turns out, difficult times are often an opportunity for growth. In my office you will find a voice of concern, a place for expression, laughter and even contentment with your internal story. My areas of interests include strengthening relationships, exploring the influence of our external and internal world, as well as using narrative tools to retell the stories that often hold us back. Email is the best way to reach me. Online and in-person sessions are available.

If you desire to build a healthier relationship to your bodymind, Self and others, you are in the right place. Perhaps you've tried traditional therapy and are hitting a block or it's challenging to put into words what's going on inside of you, or maybe you have a "loud body" that aches all the time in one way or another? The clinicians at MBC are trained in a variety of modalities to help you tap into your inner resources and find harmony with your body, mind and spirit. You will collaborate with one of our clinicians to begin on your path towards optimal health and well-being.

At Forest Path Therapy, we will walk with you on your journey and support you in your work. We believe that the most important factors in therapy are feeling like you are comfortable talking with your therapist and where you feel heard and understood. We start by learning who you are and what your life looks like. Instead of focusing just on what’s wrong, we pay attention to your whole life - what is working and what you would like to change. We believe therapy works best when we work together to examine the different sides of a problem together and provide support and space for you to decide how to move forward.