Chronic Illness Therapists in River North, Chicago, IL
Paige Moore
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LMSW, PMH-C
2 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
While I commonly see people struggling with change in their life, anxiety, and navigating their 20's-40s, some other common themes include grief, self-acceptance, relationship concerns, chronic illness, and perinatal mental health concerns.
As a therapist, I work with all my clients, individuals or couples, in a collaborative manner, centered around you and your needs. I strive to always be empathetic, warm, inviting, and non-judgmental. I am diverse in my modalities and specialties and combine various therapeutic techniques to suit you and your goals.
While I commonly see people struggling with change in their life, anxiety, and navigating their 20's-40s, some other common themes include grief, self-acceptance, relationship concerns, chronic illness, and perinatal mental health concerns.
As a therapist, I work with all my clients, individuals or couples, in a collaborative manner, centered around you and your needs. I strive to always be empathetic, warm, inviting, and non-judgmental. I am diverse in my modalities and specialties and combine various therapeutic techniques to suit you and your goals.
I specialize in supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults through depression, anxiety, chronic illness, especially cancer, and religious trauma or any issues of religion.
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally stuck can make it hard to fully enjoy life, relationships, and day-to-day experiences. When life feels heavy, asking for help is not always easy. I enjoy learning each person’s unique story and collaborating on ways for you to slow down, feel supported, better identify and understand any barriers, and develop practical coping tools. I also work with teens, young adults, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem concerns, relationship challenges, or life transitions.
I specialize in supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults through depression, anxiety, chronic illness, especially cancer, and religious trauma or any issues of religion.
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally stuck can make it hard to fully enjoy life, relationships, and day-to-day experiences. When life feels heavy, asking for help is not always easy. I enjoy learning each person’s unique story and collaborating on ways for you to slow down, feel supported, better identify and understand any barriers, and develop practical coping tools. I also work with teens, young adults, and adults navigating anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem concerns, relationship challenges, or life transitions.
Have you ever found yourself saying “I just wish I felt better” even if you can’t put your finger on precisely what’s wrong? If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, I promise, you're not alone. Anyone who is sensitive (or even intuitive), knows it can be both a blessing and a curse to feel so deeply. Especially these days, it can be difficult to celebrate the good, mourn the bad, and keep the "ugly" in perspective. When a voice inside of you craves for respite, kindness, and nurturing, or you need to connect in a Real way to be reminded of your humanity, you’re ready for the kind of depth work I do.
Have you ever found yourself saying “I just wish I felt better” even if you can’t put your finger on precisely what’s wrong? If you are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired, I promise, you're not alone. Anyone who is sensitive (or even intuitive), knows it can be both a blessing and a curse to feel so deeply. Especially these days, it can be difficult to celebrate the good, mourn the bad, and keep the "ugly" in perspective. When a voice inside of you craves for respite, kindness, and nurturing, or you need to connect in a Real way to be reminded of your humanity, you’re ready for the kind of depth work I do.
Dr. Kristen Brendel
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PhD, LCSW, PEL:SW, C-IAYT, CYT
4 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
I work with individuals experiencing chronic health issues, grief, anxiety, trauma, stress-related issues, and women's issues, including therapists, educators, and healthcare professionals. Many are accustomed to managing significant responsibilities and being relied upon by others, yet report feeling overwhelmed or depleted. They may be navigating burnout, life transitions, or the ongoing impact of health concerns. Treatment focuses on increasing insight, identifying patterns, developing more effective and sustainable ways to respond to stress and related symptoms, and improving emotional regulation and boundary setting.
I work with individuals experiencing chronic health issues, grief, anxiety, trauma, stress-related issues, and women's issues, including therapists, educators, and healthcare professionals. Many are accustomed to managing significant responsibilities and being relied upon by others, yet report feeling overwhelmed or depleted. They may be navigating burnout, life transitions, or the ongoing impact of health concerns. Treatment focuses on increasing insight, identifying patterns, developing more effective and sustainable ways to respond to stress and related symptoms, and improving emotional regulation and boundary setting.
Many of us feel unheard, our struggles unseen, our hurt unacknowledged. This is not the life you asked nor planned for. Your mind may be returning to the same memories, wondering how things happened the way they did, what could have gone differently, wishing for healing but feeling hopeless that the pain in your heart can truly be relieved. How does your life make sense? How do things connect? What does it all mean, and how do I move forward so I can thrive and not just survive? You don't just want coping skills or anger management, but for someone to help you understand your pain and anger.
Many of us feel unheard, our struggles unseen, our hurt unacknowledged. This is not the life you asked nor planned for. Your mind may be returning to the same memories, wondering how things happened the way they did, what could have gone differently, wishing for healing but feeling hopeless that the pain in your heart can truly be relieved. How does your life make sense? How do things connect? What does it all mean, and how do I move forward so I can thrive and not just survive? You don't just want coping skills or anger management, but for someone to help you understand your pain and anger.
My practice specializes in chronic illness, anxiety, health anxiety, OCD, women's health concerns, life transitions, and grief.
As an EMDRIA-Certified EMDR Therapist, I utilize evidence-based approaches to help clients process difficult experiences, reduce emotional distress, and build resilience. My work integrates EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs and goals.
My practice specializes in chronic illness, anxiety, health anxiety, OCD, women's health concerns, life transitions, and grief.
As an EMDRIA-Certified EMDR Therapist, I utilize evidence-based approaches to help clients process difficult experiences, reduce emotional distress, and build resilience. My work integrates EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring treatment to each client's unique needs and goals.
Alexandra Kutnick
Psychologist, MA, PhD
1 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
Waitlist for new clients
Ar Morningside Counseling and Assessment, I provide therapy that is collaborative and humanistic, where I work together with patients to customize therapy so it is tailored to the patient's unique needs and goals. I work with people to address a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, substance use, shame, loss and grief, relationship difficulties, sexual and gender identity issues, job and academic stress, adjustment challenges to situations such as divorce, new parenthood, stepparenting, adoption and challenges coping with serious health conditions such as infertility, autoimmune disease and cancer.
Ar Morningside Counseling and Assessment, I provide therapy that is collaborative and humanistic, where I work together with patients to customize therapy so it is tailored to the patient's unique needs and goals. I work with people to address a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, substance use, shame, loss and grief, relationship difficulties, sexual and gender identity issues, job and academic stress, adjustment challenges to situations such as divorce, new parenthood, stepparenting, adoption and challenges coping with serious health conditions such as infertility, autoimmune disease and cancer.
Most often, I have worked with clients with eating disorders, life transitions, and mood disorders. I believe in a harm-reduction approach that allows autonomy and collaboration within the relationship. My goal is to guide clients to a more meaningful life that is reflective of their own values. I will always plan to meet a client where they are at in recovery. That might include this being your first therapy experience, or your hundredth and we need to find what will work for you to have a sustainable recovery.
Most often, I have worked with clients with eating disorders, life transitions, and mood disorders. I believe in a harm-reduction approach that allows autonomy and collaboration within the relationship. My goal is to guide clients to a more meaningful life that is reflective of their own values. I will always plan to meet a client where they are at in recovery. That might include this being your first therapy experience, or your hundredth and we need to find what will work for you to have a sustainable recovery.
Do you feel like sex, pleasure, or connection are more stressful than satisfying?
Maybe sex feels like a performance. Maybe desire is forced or missing entirely.
Maybe your body carries pain, guilt, or silence that makes intimacy feel impossible.
I work with women and AFAB individuals who feel anxious, ashamed, or disconnected from their bodies or relationships. They're often high-achieving, thoughtful, and tired of feeling behind. What they want, more than anything, is to feel safe, connected, and authentically confident in themselves.
Do you feel like sex, pleasure, or connection are more stressful than satisfying?
Maybe sex feels like a performance. Maybe desire is forced or missing entirely.
Maybe your body carries pain, guilt, or silence that makes intimacy feel impossible.
I work with women and AFAB individuals who feel anxious, ashamed, or disconnected from their bodies or relationships. They're often high-achieving, thoughtful, and tired of feeling behind. What they want, more than anything, is to feel safe, connected, and authentically confident in themselves.
Amanda Kaplan
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MS, LMFT
1 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families who are seeking support in navigating challenges and creating meaningful change. Whether someone is facing a personal struggle, working through relationship concerns, or adjusting to a major life transition, therapy can provide a supportive space to explore patterns that may be keeping them stuck.
Clients often come to me because they want to feel more understood, by themselves and by others, and are open to reflecting on the ways they may be contributing to the difficulties they face. This openness becomes an important starting point for growth and healthier connections.
I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families who are seeking support in navigating challenges and creating meaningful change. Whether someone is facing a personal struggle, working through relationship concerns, or adjusting to a major life transition, therapy can provide a supportive space to explore patterns that may be keeping them stuck.
Clients often come to me because they want to feel more understood, by themselves and by others, and are open to reflecting on the ways they may be contributing to the difficulties they face. This openness becomes an important starting point for growth and healthier connections.
I’m here to help you go beyond survival mode. I work with clients to create a sense of calm, compassion, and connection in daily life. Struggles with mental health and trauma can take us away from the life we want, but with support, I believe that everyone can create a fulfilling life in recovery. I want treatment to suit you- that means that we create your treatment plan together and find skills and support that meet your needs. If spirituality is important to you, let’s talk about it. If you're a creative, let’s bring art into the therapy room. This is your journey- you deserve to take up space and build a recovery that suits you.
I’m here to help you go beyond survival mode. I work with clients to create a sense of calm, compassion, and connection in daily life. Struggles with mental health and trauma can take us away from the life we want, but with support, I believe that everyone can create a fulfilling life in recovery. I want treatment to suit you- that means that we create your treatment plan together and find skills and support that meet your needs. If spirituality is important to you, let’s talk about it. If you're a creative, let’s bring art into the therapy room. This is your journey- you deserve to take up space and build a recovery that suits you.
I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, life changes, chronic illness, grief, and trauma.
Welcome! Life brings moments of joy, periods of challenge, and countless opportunities for growth. I believe healing begins when we feel seen, understood, and safe enough to explore the parts of ourselves we often keep quietly inside. My approach centers on building a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment or pressure.
In our work together, we’ll explore the experiences and beliefs that have shaped you while identifying areas for growth, healing, and renewed confidence.
I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, life changes, chronic illness, grief, and trauma.
Welcome! Life brings moments of joy, periods of challenge, and countless opportunities for growth. I believe healing begins when we feel seen, understood, and safe enough to explore the parts of ourselves we often keep quietly inside. My approach centers on building a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment or pressure.
In our work together, we’ll explore the experiences and beliefs that have shaped you while identifying areas for growth, healing, and renewed confidence.
James Drake (He/Him) is a compassionate therapist who works with individuals and couples navigating loss, life transitions, and emotional challenges. He provides a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their experiences with care and understanding. Grounded in a person-centered approach, James helps clients develop practical skills for emotional regulation while gaining insight into how past experiences shape present patterns. He supports clients in fostering balance and developing healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
James Drake (He/Him) is a compassionate therapist who works with individuals and couples navigating loss, life transitions, and emotional challenges. He provides a safe, supportive space where clients can explore their experiences with care and understanding. Grounded in a person-centered approach, James helps clients develop practical skills for emotional regulation while gaining insight into how past experiences shape present patterns. He supports clients in fostering balance and developing healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or alone, I’m here to help. I work with teens and adults who experience anxiety, depression, ADHD, and relationship issues looking for new avenues to address obstacles to personal fulfillment.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or alone, I’m here to help. I work with teens and adults who experience anxiety, depression, ADHD, and relationship issues looking for new avenues to address obstacles to personal fulfillment.
We believe in taking a strengths-based approach to serving clients. Through our comprehensive services, we work to maximize your strengths to help you reach your full potential. We treat each client based on the unique needs they bring into the room; hence we will help you to stay motivated and supported as you work towards your goals. Our wide array of treatment services include psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups of all ages; as well as testing and evaluation, coaching, and consultation. We are committed to helping you make positive changes in your life and we work to provide a safe environment for doing s
We believe in taking a strengths-based approach to serving clients. Through our comprehensive services, we work to maximize your strengths to help you reach your full potential. We treat each client based on the unique needs they bring into the room; hence we will help you to stay motivated and supported as you work towards your goals. Our wide array of treatment services include psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups of all ages; as well as testing and evaluation, coaching, and consultation. We are committed to helping you make positive changes in your life and we work to provide a safe environment for doing s
Therapy doesn’t have to feel like a mystery or a monologue. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself or others I'm here to help you make sense of it all. I help to foster more authentic relationships with self and with others using a relational, insight-oriented approach grounded in mindfulness and curiosity.
Much of who we are is shaped by early experiences, family dynamics, cultural context, and, yes—sometimes that one offhand comment from a middle school teacher. Together, we’ll explore the patterns that keep you from feeling grounded and connected, and work toward a version of you that feels more real.
Therapy doesn’t have to feel like a mystery or a monologue. If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself or others I'm here to help you make sense of it all. I help to foster more authentic relationships with self and with others using a relational, insight-oriented approach grounded in mindfulness and curiosity.
Much of who we are is shaped by early experiences, family dynamics, cultural context, and, yes—sometimes that one offhand comment from a middle school teacher. Together, we’ll explore the patterns that keep you from feeling grounded and connected, and work toward a version of you that feels more real.
Our lives' narratives sometimes may not be pleasant nor self-fulling. Nonetheless, the therapeutic space can serve as a starting point to reflect and create new beginnings. It can also be a space where we revisit past narratives that may have marked you significantly or try to embrace our fears for the future. In our work together, I aim to connect with you in a way that not only allows for safety, trust and vulnerability but instills a sense of empowerment that affirms your ability to endure uncertainty. I view therapy as a space where both you and I can help each other to co-narrate your life experiences.
Our lives' narratives sometimes may not be pleasant nor self-fulling. Nonetheless, the therapeutic space can serve as a starting point to reflect and create new beginnings. It can also be a space where we revisit past narratives that may have marked you significantly or try to embrace our fears for the future. In our work together, I aim to connect with you in a way that not only allows for safety, trust and vulnerability but instills a sense of empowerment that affirms your ability to endure uncertainty. I view therapy as a space where both you and I can help each other to co-narrate your life experiences.
Dr. Hellebrand has vast experience in a variety of settings, including intensive outpatient, primary care settings, community mental health, college counseling and private practice. He holds a Doctorate from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Masters degree in Evaluation and Organizational Behavior from Claremont Graduate University.
Dr. Hellebrand has vast experience in a variety of settings, including intensive outpatient, primary care settings, community mental health, college counseling and private practice. He holds a Doctorate from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a Masters degree in Evaluation and Organizational Behavior from Claremont Graduate University.
Do you find yourself wishing your relationships with others were deeper? Do you crave intimacy, to feel known, listened to, and valued? If you are experiencing conflict or lack of closeness in your personal relationships, I am here to come alongside you and your significant other(s) to rebuild and heal.
Do you find yourself wishing your relationships with others were deeper? Do you crave intimacy, to feel known, listened to, and valued? If you are experiencing conflict or lack of closeness in your personal relationships, I am here to come alongside you and your significant other(s) to rebuild and heal.
You may look capable on the outside while privately feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself. Perhaps you overthink conversations, struggle to set boundaries, feel responsible for other people’s emotions, or keep repeating relationship patterns you understand but cannot seem to change. I work especially well with women and adolescents navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and neurodivergence. Therapy with me is warm, collaborative, and thoughtfully challenging.
You may look capable on the outside while privately feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself. Perhaps you overthink conversations, struggle to set boundaries, feel responsible for other people’s emotions, or keep repeating relationship patterns you understand but cannot seem to change. I work especially well with women and adolescents navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and neurodivergence. Therapy with me is warm, collaborative, and thoughtfully challenging.
See more therapy options for River North, Chicago
Nearby Chronic Illness Therapists Searches for River North, Chicago
See More Chronic Illness TherapistsNearby Searches for River North, Chicago
- Greektown
- Loop
- Near Eastside
- Near North Side
- Old Town
- Old Town Triangle
- Printers Row
- River West
- South Loop
- Streeterville
- West Loop
Chronic Illness Therapists
How does therapy for chronic illness work?
Many people living with a chronic illness may feel they cannot speak honestly about their experience out of embarrassment or fear of being a burden, or because those close to them do not understand, for example, that they may “look good” even if they do not feel good. Therapy sessions are an opportunity to speak openly with someone who knows their symptoms are not in their head and who can offer practical, proven suggestions for managing feelings of grief, shame, or fatigue, such as techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts about symptoms and develop new ways to respond to them, such as distraction or calming breathing practices.
Can therapy help with physical symptoms of chronic illness?
Yes, especially if an individual with chronic illness has developed depression. People with depression are less likely to maintain their health treatment regimens or to take positive steps to manage physical symptoms when they arise, thereby potentially complicating their medical prognosis. Treatment of depression, through talk therapy, medication, or both, will often improve one’s physical state as it eases the emotional burden of illness.
What are the most effective treatment options for chronic illness?
No one living with a chronic illness, or their loved ones, should see depression as an unavoidable result of their condition. Instead, they should actively seek treatment. Research shows that people with depression are less likely to devote the required time and effort to maintaining or monitoring their health, and so therapy to limit the risk of depression can be vital for physical health as well. Therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction have been found to help individuals reduce stress and anxiety.
How long does therapy for chronic illness take?
There is no set timeline for therapy for people living with chronic illnesses, but many will see a therapist for a number of weeks or months, typically spanning at least 12 weekly sessions. Some people feel that they experience progress faster than others but even some who quickly feel improvement may continue with sessions for months or years. Some people may benefit from maintenance therapy if their symptoms change or they experience a decline in physical health. Others find that the skills learned in short-term therapy can be used on an ongoing basis, even after therapy has concluded.