Emotionally Focused Therapists in River North, Chicago, IL
Bernadette
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MEd, LCPC
7 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
With 20 years of experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds, I draw from multiple clinical theories with a strong foundation in Attachment Theory and Emotionally Focused therapy for couples.
At different points in life we can find ourselves "stuck," feeling anxious, overwhelmed, defeated, exhausted, depressed, or feeling disconnected from ourselves or others. Sometimes something just feels "off." Therapy is an opportunity to make positive changes in one's life and relationships. By gaining an understanding of our needs, motives, and fears, we can move out of an "auto-pilot" mode and into an active role in our lives. I work alongside clients to help them develop awareness of their options, identify self-defeating patterns, and help remove the obstacles creating distress. Together we shed light on what has been neglected.
With 20 years of experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds, I draw from multiple clinical theories with a strong foundation in Attachment Theory and Emotionally Focused therapy for couples.
At different points in life we can find ourselves "stuck," feeling anxious, overwhelmed, defeated, exhausted, depressed, or feeling disconnected from ourselves or others. Sometimes something just feels "off." Therapy is an opportunity to make positive changes in one's life and relationships. By gaining an understanding of our needs, motives, and fears, we can move out of an "auto-pilot" mode and into an active role in our lives. I work alongside clients to help them develop awareness of their options, identify self-defeating patterns, and help remove the obstacles creating distress. Together we shed light on what has been neglected.
I believe that therapeutic growth begins with cultivating a genuine, collaborative relationship in which clients feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to. Therapy can be a space for one to explore their inner and outer worlds and gain insight into their emotions, early familial relationships, challenging patterns, current relationships with others, or desires for change. I use an integrative approach tailored to each individual - I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I have been trained in psychodynamic, relational, liberation psychology, and parts work, and draw from evidence-based interventions.
I believe that therapeutic growth begins with cultivating a genuine, collaborative relationship in which clients feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to. Therapy can be a space for one to explore their inner and outer worlds and gain insight into their emotions, early familial relationships, challenging patterns, current relationships with others, or desires for change. I use an integrative approach tailored to each individual - I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. I have been trained in psychodynamic, relational, liberation psychology, and parts work, and draw from evidence-based interventions.
You may be here because relationships feel confusing, painful, or harder than they should be, perhaps shaped by earlier experiences that still echo in the present. You might notice strong emotional reactions, persistent self-doubt, or patterns in close relationships that feel difficult to change. Therapy can be a space to make room for the full range of what life brings, including both its joys and its sorrows. While we may not be able to choose the struggles we face, we can work together to understand how they developed and to choose how we meet them in ways that feel more grounded, intentional, and aligned with your values.
You may be here because relationships feel confusing, painful, or harder than they should be, perhaps shaped by earlier experiences that still echo in the present. You might notice strong emotional reactions, persistent self-doubt, or patterns in close relationships that feel difficult to change. Therapy can be a space to make room for the full range of what life brings, including both its joys and its sorrows. While we may not be able to choose the struggles we face, we can work together to understand how they developed and to choose how we meet them in ways that feel more grounded, intentional, and aligned with your values.
I work with infants, children, families, and parents. I provide relationship-based play therapy services to children presenting with trauma disorders, developmental delays, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, and autism.
I work with infants, children, families, and parents. I provide relationship-based play therapy services to children presenting with trauma disorders, developmental delays, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, and autism.
It takes incredible bravery and vulnerability to ask for help and share deep fears, past traumas, or deep insecurities with a stranger. Just stepping foot in a therapy office or jumping on a video call for a therapy session is a victory worth celebrating. I tell my clients often how proud of them I am for showing up each week and doing the work because it is NOT easy. My goal is to meet clients where they are at from the onset, tailoring treatment to best suit their evolving needs. I strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to utilize their values as the GPS within our therapeutic work.
It takes incredible bravery and vulnerability to ask for help and share deep fears, past traumas, or deep insecurities with a stranger. Just stepping foot in a therapy office or jumping on a video call for a therapy session is a victory worth celebrating. I tell my clients often how proud of them I am for showing up each week and doing the work because it is NOT easy. My goal is to meet clients where they are at from the onset, tailoring treatment to best suit their evolving needs. I strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment that allows clients to utilize their values as the GPS within our therapeutic work.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, and couples on a wide range of emotional and relationship challenges. My clients often come to therapy seeking understanding, clarity, and growth in areas such as communication, anxiety, depression, or family dynamics. I specialize in women's health, eating disorders, couples as well as grief and trauma (among other issues). I believe that therapy should feel supportive, collaborative, and focused on helping you build skills and process emotions that lead to lasting change and a more balanced, fulfilling life.
I work with children, adolescents, adults, and couples on a wide range of emotional and relationship challenges. My clients often come to therapy seeking understanding, clarity, and growth in areas such as communication, anxiety, depression, or family dynamics. I specialize in women's health, eating disorders, couples as well as grief and trauma (among other issues). I believe that therapy should feel supportive, collaborative, and focused on helping you build skills and process emotions that lead to lasting change and a more balanced, fulfilling life.
While life is constantly changing, we are too — evolving, growing, and sometimes struggling to keep up. In a world that often tells us who we should be, it can be hard to explore who we really are. Therapy can be a space to feel seen, not just for who you are now, but for who you're becoming. I work with young adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, ADHD, life transitions, shifting family dynamics, anger, and self-esteem. I value diversity and believe our identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences shape how we move and heal. You are worthy of support, capable of growth, and are more than enough.
While life is constantly changing, we are too — evolving, growing, and sometimes struggling to keep up. In a world that often tells us who we should be, it can be hard to explore who we really are. Therapy can be a space to feel seen, not just for who you are now, but for who you're becoming. I work with young adults and teens navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, ADHD, life transitions, shifting family dynamics, anger, and self-esteem. I value diversity and believe our identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences shape how we move and heal. You are worthy of support, capable of growth, and are more than enough.
Are you in a place where you feel the need to make changes in your life to improve your happiness and overall well-being? Or how about having a feeling that you're ready to begin healing? Maybe it's addressing your social drug/alcohol use, or wondering why you feel stuck, and feel the need to explore your intrinsic wants/needs. I believe there's an importance in empowering one's spirit, identifying blocks, and learning new skills to strengthen one's ability to make wanted changes. I focus on enhancing existing strengths, encouraging mindfulness, and building coping skills to support these changes.
Are you in a place where you feel the need to make changes in your life to improve your happiness and overall well-being? Or how about having a feeling that you're ready to begin healing? Maybe it's addressing your social drug/alcohol use, or wondering why you feel stuck, and feel the need to explore your intrinsic wants/needs. I believe there's an importance in empowering one's spirit, identifying blocks, and learning new skills to strengthen one's ability to make wanted changes. I focus on enhancing existing strengths, encouraging mindfulness, and building coping skills to support these changes.
James integrates evidence-based modalities, including Emotion-Focused Therapy ( EFT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), to help clients manage intense emotions and strengthen the mind-body connection.
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 integrates evidence-based modalities, including Emotion-Focused Therapy ( EFT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), to help clients manage intense emotions and strengthen the mind-body connection.
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.
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.
I have a passion for creating therapeutic spaces for support and growth. My practice experience includes work with adults, children, adolescents, and families who are presently suffering with trauma, grief, relationship issues, divorce, parenting challenges, life transitions, depression, anxiety disorders and a wide array of life circumstances. As a seasoned psychotherapist, I blend compassion, intellectual insights, and current research to address you or your loved ones unique needs and create a space in which empowerment and hope may flourish. I welcome working with diverse clients collaboratively towards their goals.
I have a passion for creating therapeutic spaces for support and growth. My practice experience includes work with adults, children, adolescents, and families who are presently suffering with trauma, grief, relationship issues, divorce, parenting challenges, life transitions, depression, anxiety disorders and a wide array of life circumstances. As a seasoned psychotherapist, I blend compassion, intellectual insights, and current research to address you or your loved ones unique needs and create a space in which empowerment and hope may flourish. I welcome working with diverse clients collaboratively towards their goals.
Your finding yourself feeling stuck, maybe in a relationship that doesn't serve you, maybe in a job in which you just feel bored all the time, or worse, in over your head. You know there are some things in your past that might possibly be contributing to what you feel, but you don't know how to even start to open that can of worms. I can help you discover and change the beliefs, feelings and decisions that have been holding you back from getting what you really want in life.
Your finding yourself feeling stuck, maybe in a relationship that doesn't serve you, maybe in a job in which you just feel bored all the time, or worse, in over your head. You know there are some things in your past that might possibly be contributing to what you feel, but you don't know how to even start to open that can of worms. I can help you discover and change the beliefs, feelings and decisions that have been holding you back from getting what you really want in life.
I work with adults and couples over the age of 18. I understand therapy as a collaborative and relational process, helping clients build on their existing strengths while exploring new ways to live in alignment with their unique needs, desires, and values. My clients come to me with struggles related to depression, anxiety, relationship problems, or tricky life transitions like job loss or moves.
I work with adults and couples over the age of 18. I understand therapy as a collaborative and relational process, helping clients build on their existing strengths while exploring new ways to live in alignment with their unique needs, desires, and values. My clients come to me with struggles related to depression, anxiety, relationship problems, or tricky life transitions like job loss or moves.
I'm trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy, useful in strengthening trust between you and your partner.
Relationships are opportunities for growth and exploration and yet can be the sources of some of our most painful hurts and losses. Therapy itself is a relationship, and I aim to build one with clients that is authentic and healing. I help people who often feel like they're "too much" or "not enough" better understand themselves and connect with others.
I'm trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy, useful in strengthening trust between you and your partner.
Relationships are opportunities for growth and exploration and yet can be the sources of some of our most painful hurts and losses. Therapy itself is a relationship, and I aim to build one with clients that is authentic and healing. I help people who often feel like they're "too much" or "not enough" better understand themselves and connect with others.
Many of the clients that I have worked with during the past 30 years have faced stressful life events that have triggered anxiety, depression, and anger. Frequently, these feelings have begun to significantly interfere with relationships, work, and overall sense of self. I provide a safe and respectful relationship that promotes courage and strength to confront and work through these difficult feelings and experiences. By talking with a caring and trained professional, my clients are able to develop new perspectives about themselves and their concerns and this allows them to approach life with increased hope and enjoyment.
Many of the clients that I have worked with during the past 30 years have faced stressful life events that have triggered anxiety, depression, and anger. Frequently, these feelings have begun to significantly interfere with relationships, work, and overall sense of self. I provide a safe and respectful relationship that promotes courage and strength to confront and work through these difficult feelings and experiences. By talking with a caring and trained professional, my clients are able to develop new perspectives about themselves and their concerns and this allows them to approach life with increased hope and enjoyment.
I use a combination of Gottman, emotionally focused therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Parts theory and solution focused therapy.
Are you struggling in your relationships? Are you and your partner experiencing conflict that you can't seem to resolve? I can help you understand the underlying issues and needs that lead to withdrawal or anger, and work with you to re-establish strong bonds. Together we will identify the negative patterns that repeat, learn how to interrupt those and to instead create positive conflict resolution skills. I am passionate about the work I do as a therapist, and I respect each person's struggle and strengths.
I use a combination of Gottman, emotionally focused therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Parts theory and solution focused therapy.
Are you struggling in your relationships? Are you and your partner experiencing conflict that you can't seem to resolve? I can help you understand the underlying issues and needs that lead to withdrawal or anger, and work with you to re-establish strong bonds. Together we will identify the negative patterns that repeat, learn how to interrupt those and to instead create positive conflict resolution skills. I am passionate about the work I do as a therapist, and I respect each person's struggle and strengths.
Paige Moore
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LMSW, PMH-C
2 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
Is there something holding you back from living the life you want? Do you feel anxious, depressed, uncertain, fearful or confused as to how to move forward? Do you hope to change an aspect of your life but you don’t know where to start? The journey of therapy can be a powerful tool to help you move through and uncover some of the obstacles that prevent you towards claiming the life you imagined. 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.
Is there something holding you back from living the life you want? Do you feel anxious, depressed, uncertain, fearful or confused as to how to move forward? Do you hope to change an aspect of your life but you don’t know where to start? The journey of therapy can be a powerful tool to help you move through and uncover some of the obstacles that prevent you towards claiming the life you imagined. 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.
I work with clients who struggle with managing stress, anxiety, self-esteem or relationship issues. Common examples of issues these clients face are trouble setting boundaries, feeling overwhelmed, relationship issues, lack of self-esteem or difficulty managing their emotions. These clients are hoping to increase their coping skills in these areas and want resources to better navigate their symptoms or need a safe and nonjudgmental space to talk things through. Evaluating all aspects of life through a collaborative relationship, we can work to decide how my client can live a thriving, healthy life.
I work with clients who struggle with managing stress, anxiety, self-esteem or relationship issues. Common examples of issues these clients face are trouble setting boundaries, feeling overwhelmed, relationship issues, lack of self-esteem or difficulty managing their emotions. These clients are hoping to increase their coping skills in these areas and want resources to better navigate their symptoms or need a safe and nonjudgmental space to talk things through. Evaluating all aspects of life through a collaborative relationship, we can work to decide how my client can live a thriving, healthy life.
Sarah Vassileff
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, MA, LCPC, EMDR
1 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
As your therapist, one of my priorities is to walk alongside you as you grow into the most integrated version of yourself, embracing your autonomy and strengths. It can be difficult to balance your sense of internal safety and the external commotion of the world. A sense of disillusionment occurs when our external wants do not meet our internal needs. I focus on your concept of Self as it relates to emotional disturbance, fragmentation of the self, maladaptive thinking patterns, and dissociation. My aim is to work with you to embrace and overcome challenges endured throughout the lifespan and to help you find alignment within.
As your therapist, one of my priorities is to walk alongside you as you grow into the most integrated version of yourself, embracing your autonomy and strengths. It can be difficult to balance your sense of internal safety and the external commotion of the world. A sense of disillusionment occurs when our external wants do not meet our internal needs. I focus on your concept of Self as it relates to emotional disturbance, fragmentation of the self, maladaptive thinking patterns, and dissociation. My aim is to work with you to embrace and overcome challenges endured throughout the lifespan and to help you find alignment within.
Life is hard and sometimes asking for help is even harder. Beginning therapy may be nerve wrecking, but it can be a place to build yourself and the relationships around you. I prioritize creating an environment that is warm, empathetic, interactive and humorous because feeling safe and unjudged is essential for meaningful growth.
I work with individuals, couples, and families exploring how patterns and beliefs shape your relationships — including the one you have with yourself.
Life is hard and sometimes asking for help is even harder. Beginning therapy may be nerve wrecking, but it can be a place to build yourself and the relationships around you. I prioritize creating an environment that is warm, empathetic, interactive and humorous because feeling safe and unjudged is essential for meaningful growth.
I work with individuals, couples, and families exploring how patterns and beliefs shape your relationships — including the one you have with yourself.
See more therapy options for River North, Chicago
Nearby Emotionally Focused Therapists Searches for River North, Chicago
- Dearborn Park
- Loop
- Near Eastside
- Near North Side
- Noble Square
- Printers Row
- River West
- South Loop
- Streeterville
- West Loop
Nearby Searches for River North, Chicago
- Gold Coast
- Greektown
- Loop
- Near Eastside
- Near North Side
- Old Town
- Old Town Triangle
- Printers Row
- River West
- South Loop
- Streeterville
- West Loop
Emotionally Focused Therapists
Who is emotionally focused therapy for?
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is for couples who are emotionally distressed, stuck in an unsatisfying relationship pattern or feeling deeply alienated. They may even believe the relationship is beyond repair. Very often, the partners display intense anger, fear, grief, loss of trust, or a sense of betrayal in the relationship. In addition, EFT is helpful to couples and individuals who have difficulty expressing emotions and those who have trouble regulating emotions.
Why do people need emotionally focused therapy?
People need emotionally focused therapy because the need for others is built into the brain, but the pressures of daily life can erode feelings of love, and couples often do not have the skills to find their way back to the comfort of each other. Instead, they may be stuck in repetitive patterns of anger, fear, grief, loss of trust, or a sense of betrayal. Emotionally focused therapy regards such strong negative feelings as expressions of protest over the loss of connection and turns them into pathways of reconnection.
What happens in emotionally focused therapy?
Over the course of eight to 20 weekly sessions, couples de-escalate their negative emotional reactivity to one another so that they can listen to each other and be responsive to each other’s needs. Then the deep emotional and physical bond is restored, giving partners a sense of comfort and security, which they can use to solve whatever problems come their way. The therapist plays an active role, helping partners understand how anger and withdrawal are actually misguided cries for connection.
What problems does emotionally focused therapy treat?
EFT is designed to help couples stuck in dysfunctional relationship patterns regain closeness and rebuild their relationship. Typically, such couples experience considerable distress, with partners feeling alienated and distrustful of one another, not certain their relationship can survive. EFT is also helpful to individuals experiencing attachment-related fears of loss; it helps them learn to use their fears as a way of eliciting the closeness they desire.