Play Therapy in River North, Chicago, IL
I find it valuable to incorporate art, play, music, and other creative techniques in sessions to cultivate an engaging and personalized therapeutic environment.
I specialize in working with children and adults who have faced systemic harm and societal stigma, including LGBTQ and TGNC individuals, women, and those from other marginalized communities. I have extensive experience working with young people who have endured complex trauma, and I believe in the power of a strengths-based relational therapy model. I am committed to celebrating diversity and I hold an affirming stance on all genders, sexualities, careers, reproductive choices, and alternative relationship structures.
I find it valuable to incorporate art, play, music, and other creative techniques in sessions to cultivate an engaging and personalized therapeutic environment.
I specialize in working with children and adults who have faced systemic harm and societal stigma, including LGBTQ and TGNC individuals, women, and those from other marginalized communities. I have extensive experience working with young people who have endured complex trauma, and I believe in the power of a strengths-based relational therapy model. I am committed to celebrating diversity and I hold an affirming stance on all genders, sexualities, careers, reproductive choices, and alternative relationship structures.
I have 7 years of supervised clinical experience helping youth and families in various treatment modalities (e.g., individual therapy, family therapy, play therapy, group therapy, and parent coaching).
Hi there! I have a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and am a Post-Doctoral Fellow. I am in my 7th year of supervised clinical experience helping youth and families with various mental health concerns through various treatment modalities. Before joining a private group practice, I worked primarily in community mental health outpatient centers and schools. I have experience working with marginalized children, teens, and adults with various psychosocial concerns through various organizations. Additionally, I approach therapy from an integrative perspective, focusing primarily on cognitive-behavioral and client-centered therapy.
I have 7 years of supervised clinical experience helping youth and families in various treatment modalities (e.g., individual therapy, family therapy, play therapy, group therapy, and parent coaching).
Hi there! I have a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and am a Post-Doctoral Fellow. I am in my 7th year of supervised clinical experience helping youth and families with various mental health concerns through various treatment modalities. Before joining a private group practice, I worked primarily in community mental health outpatient centers and schools. I have experience working with marginalized children, teens, and adults with various psychosocial concerns through various organizations. Additionally, I approach therapy from an integrative perspective, focusing primarily on cognitive-behavioral and client-centered therapy.
I use CBT, narrative therapy, expressive arts therapy, solution-focused therapy, and play therapy to support clients as they learn to identify patterns, reshape stories, and heal relationships.
——Dr. Hernandez is not accepting forensic/court-ordered services at this time——Therapy is an opportunity to be heard. I use a multi-cultural and anti-oppression framework to work with the opportunities and barriers faced by clients who hold marginalized identities, especially those within the QTIPOC community. I would be honored to walk with you and your family as you navigate sexuality, gender identity, coming out, and transitioning. I am experienced in working with adults and children on anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, parenting, relationship issues, and family conflict.
I use CBT, narrative therapy, expressive arts therapy, solution-focused therapy, and play therapy to support clients as they learn to identify patterns, reshape stories, and heal relationships.
——Dr. Hernandez is not accepting forensic/court-ordered services at this time——Therapy is an opportunity to be heard. I use a multi-cultural and anti-oppression framework to work with the opportunities and barriers faced by clients who hold marginalized identities, especially those within the QTIPOC community. I would be honored to walk with you and your family as you navigate sexuality, gender identity, coming out, and transitioning. I am experienced in working with adults and children on anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD, parenting, relationship issues, and family conflict.
Soulstice Therapy
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, LMFT, LCSW, LCPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Online Only
Balancing a career, relationships, finances, and family? We know it isn’t easy. And it’s common to let self-care slip down your priority list. Whether you’ve tried therapy before or not, our online therapy services start from a place of acceptance, safety, and professionalism. Our goal is to help you and your loved ones connect, recover, and flourish. If you’re looking for the perfect virtual therapist, trust our team of friendly, skilled, caring practitioners.
Balancing a career, relationships, finances, and family? We know it isn’t easy. And it’s common to let self-care slip down your priority list. Whether you’ve tried therapy before or not, our online therapy services start from a place of acceptance, safety, and professionalism. Our goal is to help you and your loved ones connect, recover, and flourish. If you’re looking for the perfect virtual therapist, trust our team of friendly, skilled, caring practitioners.
Coral Heart Counseling, LLC
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
River North, Chicago, IL 60654
It wasn’t always easy growing up or getting through my 20’s. I felt like the world was up against me and I couldn’t make any mistakes, especially as a young professional of color. I focused on trying to be “perfect” so that I could escape harsh judgment that I knew I’d receive anyway. Instead of experiencing triumph from my efforts, I ended up exhausted and burnt out. I soon discovered how my past affected me. Now, I guide others in discovering how parts of themselves and their past have led them to having similar experiences. I assist in showing clients that they can make mistakes to grow and gain life lessons.
It wasn’t always easy growing up or getting through my 20’s. I felt like the world was up against me and I couldn’t make any mistakes, especially as a young professional of color. I focused on trying to be “perfect” so that I could escape harsh judgment that I knew I’d receive anyway. Instead of experiencing triumph from my efforts, I ended up exhausted and burnt out. I soon discovered how my past affected me. Now, I guide others in discovering how parts of themselves and their past have led them to having similar experiences. I assist in showing clients that they can make mistakes to grow and gain life lessons.
I understand that entering therapy is not always an easy task. It takes courage to ask for help. As psychologist Viktor Frankl once said, “In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” I work to help you find meaning. It’s important to me to provide you with a safe, nurturing environment. I am trained in EMDR, a modality used to help process traumatic memories and the cognitions associated with them.
I understand that entering therapy is not always an easy task. It takes courage to ask for help. As psychologist Viktor Frankl once said, “In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” I work to help you find meaning. It’s important to me to provide you with a safe, nurturing environment. I am trained in EMDR, a modality used to help process traumatic memories and the cognitions associated with them.
Emily Perepa
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, ICST
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
I have worked with kids, families, and individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and looking at the need behind the behavior. It's important for us to be curious at what the need underlying thoughts, feelings and actions. Often, if we can work on strategies to help regulate, we find that thoughts, feelings, or actions feel less overwhelming and stressful.
I have worked with kids, families, and individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, and looking at the need behind the behavior. It's important for us to be curious at what the need underlying thoughts, feelings and actions. Often, if we can work on strategies to help regulate, we find that thoughts, feelings, or actions feel less overwhelming and stressful.
Hello, I am Dr. Nicholas Cunningham, Ph.D. and I am dedicated to helping clients improve their mental well-being by guiding them to identify their core values and challenge limiting beliefs. Serving clients across all age ranges, including children, teens, adults, and seniors, I utilize a combination of mindfulness, awareness, and accountability to help clients navigate stress, depression, anxiety, and negative thinking. My approach emphasizes self-regulation strategies, enabling clients to regulate executive functions, develop healthy habits, and make positive decisions.
Hello, I am Dr. Nicholas Cunningham, Ph.D. and I am dedicated to helping clients improve their mental well-being by guiding them to identify their core values and challenge limiting beliefs. Serving clients across all age ranges, including children, teens, adults, and seniors, I utilize a combination of mindfulness, awareness, and accountability to help clients navigate stress, depression, anxiety, and negative thinking. My approach emphasizes self-regulation strategies, enabling clients to regulate executive functions, develop healthy habits, and make positive decisions.
Denise K Netko
Marriage & Family Therapist, MS, LMFT
Verified Verified
9 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
In our modern world, many of us recognize the need to take time to slow down and get in tune with ourselves and our relationships. I actively engage with clients in a reflective process to explore current life stressors, challenges, & behavioral patterns. A relational framework is utilized to help guide clients through an exploration of how current and past relationships influence their lives. Within the context of a safe and trusting therapeutic environment, I help clients to identify the steps needed to overcome challenges and promote positive change.
In our modern world, many of us recognize the need to take time to slow down and get in tune with ourselves and our relationships. I actively engage with clients in a reflective process to explore current life stressors, challenges, & behavioral patterns. A relational framework is utilized to help guide clients through an exploration of how current and past relationships influence their lives. Within the context of a safe and trusting therapeutic environment, I help clients to identify the steps needed to overcome challenges and promote positive change.
Life’s journey takes us through diverse landscapes where clarity and security often intersect with uncertainty and confusion. My goal is to walk alongside clients, meeting them where they are, while providing a warm and supportive presence to foster a sense of safety and security. I firmly believe everyone deserves to discover their authentic selves and strive to become the best version of who they are. We will explore cultural identity, fulfilling hobbies, coping strategies like meditation and journaling, and strategies for empowerment to navigate challenges with confidence.
Life’s journey takes us through diverse landscapes where clarity and security often intersect with uncertainty and confusion. My goal is to walk alongside clients, meeting them where they are, while providing a warm and supportive presence to foster a sense of safety and security. I firmly believe everyone deserves to discover their authentic selves and strive to become the best version of who they are. We will explore cultural identity, fulfilling hobbies, coping strategies like meditation and journaling, and strategies for empowerment to navigate challenges with confidence.
Alexandra Milbourn
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60654
At times everyone experiences difficulties they cannot overcome through their usual means of coping and problem-solving. I can help you move forward by understanding patterns in your past experiences, relationships, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, as well as how they contribute to your current symptoms and concerns. My goal is to empower you, and help you develop adaptive skills so you can make the changes you want. I am passionate about helping adults, adolescents and children find effective and realistic solutions to trauma related symptoms that reflect their individual personality.
At times everyone experiences difficulties they cannot overcome through their usual means of coping and problem-solving. I can help you move forward by understanding patterns in your past experiences, relationships, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, as well as how they contribute to your current symptoms and concerns. My goal is to empower you, and help you develop adaptive skills so you can make the changes you want. I am passionate about helping adults, adolescents and children find effective and realistic solutions to trauma related symptoms that reflect their individual personality.
Meet Our Play Therapy
Elba Iris Lara
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, CADC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60654
Are you in a place where you feel the need to make changes in your life to improve your happiness and overall well-being? 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 in 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? 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 in 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.
Whether you are struggling with relationships, depression, anxiety or life's stressors, I believe therapy can help. I have over 24 years of experience and advanced training as a psychoanalyst, so I bring a unique wisdom to my work.
Whether you are struggling with relationships, depression, anxiety or life's stressors, I believe therapy can help. I have over 24 years of experience and advanced training as a psychoanalyst, so I bring a unique wisdom to my work.
Danielle Zar
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Online Only
As a licensed clinical professional counselor, licensed school counselor and learning behavioral specialist, I help children and adolescents utilize healthier forms of coping and achieve inner joy. My clinical interests and expertise include generalized anxiety, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, parent-child conflict and behavior regulation.
As a licensed clinical professional counselor, licensed school counselor and learning behavioral specialist, I help children and adolescents utilize healthier forms of coping and achieve inner joy. My clinical interests and expertise include generalized anxiety, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, parent-child conflict and behavior regulation.
Beth Pettinelli
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60611
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.
My clients are looking to be heard in a safe space.
They are looking to create meaning from their experiences.
They are interested in exploring their strengths and community.
My clients are looking to be heard in a safe space.
They are looking to create meaning from their experiences.
They are interested in exploring their strengths and community.
Lake County Counseling Center
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
River North, Chicago, IL 60654
Greetings! I'm Maritza Solis, a bilingual and bicultural clinical therapist who is passionate about holistic methods to heal people's mind, body, and spirit. Through my culture, I learned about the power of community, spirituality, and natural remedies to promote well-being. My philosophy of therapy is based on the belief that everyone has the ability to heal themselves, and my role is to facilitate that process by providing a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space.
Greetings! I'm Maritza Solis, a bilingual and bicultural clinical therapist who is passionate about holistic methods to heal people's mind, body, and spirit. Through my culture, I learned about the power of community, spirituality, and natural remedies to promote well-being. My philosophy of therapy is based on the belief that everyone has the ability to heal themselves, and my role is to facilitate that process by providing a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space.
Rebecca Lebovitz
Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd
Verified Verified
River North, Chicago, IL 60654
Rebecca brings experience working with children, adolescents, their families, and adult clients in clinical areas such as school-refusal, depression, complex anxiety, and low self-esteem. Rebecca takes an Existential and Cognitive Behavioral approach to therapy, aiming to empower her clients to regain their sense of control through building an individualized toolkit of coping skills they can utilize in and out of sessions. Rebecca works collaboratively with her clients to create a therapeutic space that is curious, nurturing, and safe, all necessary ingredients for pursuing lasting growth and self-understanding.
Rebecca brings experience working with children, adolescents, their families, and adult clients in clinical areas such as school-refusal, depression, complex anxiety, and low self-esteem. Rebecca takes an Existential and Cognitive Behavioral approach to therapy, aiming to empower her clients to regain their sense of control through building an individualized toolkit of coping skills they can utilize in and out of sessions. Rebecca works collaboratively with her clients to create a therapeutic space that is curious, nurturing, and safe, all necessary ingredients for pursuing lasting growth and self-understanding.
I am a bilingual (Mandarin) Clinical Psychologist based in Chicago. I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, Autism, ADHD, parent-child relationship and coparenting issues. I enjoy working with both school-aged children and their parents as I view a child's struggle in the context of family relationships. My style is warm, practical and straightforward. No matter how old the client is, I can collaborate with my client to find a therapeutic goal that is motivating and rewarding.
I am a bilingual (Mandarin) Clinical Psychologist based in Chicago. I specialize in the treatment of depression, anxiety, Autism, ADHD, parent-child relationship and coparenting issues. I enjoy working with both school-aged children and their parents as I view a child's struggle in the context of family relationships. My style is warm, practical and straightforward. No matter how old the client is, I can collaborate with my client to find a therapeutic goal that is motivating and rewarding.
Lawrence Jennings
Pre-Licensed Professional, MA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60602
I believe the meaning we create from our experiences and environment plays a significant role in shaping how we navigate, adapt, and survive the world. My priority is that we cultivate a collaborative non-judgmental therapeutic relationship that centers on safety, positive regard, genuineness, and openness. Within this space, my clients will be able to freely explore their vulnerabilities, express distressful emotions (pain, grief, anger, etc.), make greater meaning out of their experiences, and redefine past experiences.
I believe the meaning we create from our experiences and environment plays a significant role in shaping how we navigate, adapt, and survive the world. My priority is that we cultivate a collaborative non-judgmental therapeutic relationship that centers on safety, positive regard, genuineness, and openness. Within this space, my clients will be able to freely explore their vulnerabilities, express distressful emotions (pain, grief, anger, etc.), make greater meaning out of their experiences, and redefine past experiences.
See more therapy options for River North, Chicago
Nearby Play Therapy Searches for River North, Chicago
- Dearborn Park
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- Loop
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- West Loop
Nearby Searches for River North, Chicago
- Greektown
- Loop
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Play Therapy
Who is play therapy for?
Play therapy is generally targeted to children between the ages of 3 and 11 who have social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. Play therapy has also been found helpful for children who have experienced physical or emotional abuse or witnessed atrocities. Play therapy is also often recommended for children who are undergoing major medical procedures or who are suffering from chronic illness; many children’s hospitals are equipped to offer play therapy on-site. Play therapy is also sometimes used for adults; creative writing, music, and art are expressive forms that can all be adapted for therapeutic purposes.
Why do people need play therapy?
Children often do not have the language skills or words to know or to express what is troubling them. Yet they often spontaneously draw or use playthings to depict scenarios that reflect problems in their everyday life. Play therapy provides children with an array of objects and play situations to act out their feelings or experiences so that therapists can get a clear picture of what children might be struggling with and help them find solutions. In addition, play therapists are skilled at helping children understand their inner experience and find words for them, necessary steps toward helping children learn to control their own behavior and come up with solutions to problems they encounter.
What happens in play therapy?
A child enters a comfortable playroom where they are free to choose the objects they want to play with. The play therapist will typically observe how they play with the toys—whether a sandbox, puppets, dolls and action figures, trucks, costumes, drawing and painting materials, or more—because such play provides clues to a child’s family and social relationships, difficulties they are encountering in the world, and what going on inside themselves. Sometimes the therapist may ask the child to use the play objects to tell a story about their family. Using the same instruments of play, therapists can help children discover more advantageous ways of thinking and behaving.
What kinds of problems do play therapists treat?
Play therapy can help children who display destructive or self-destructive impulses; children who seem angry, sad, or fearful; children who experience frequent social, emotional, family, or school difficulty. Play therapy is often of value to children who have experienced a loss or distressing family experience, who are regularly exposed to family conflict, or who have been physically or emotionally abused. Play therapy can help children who are perpetrators of bullying as well as those who are targets of bullying. It helps children learn to identify their feelings, to express them in constructive ways, and to regulate them so they can get on with the business of development.
How long does play therapy last?
Play therapy sessions may last for 30 to 45 minutes, and they usually occur weekly for about 20 sessions. Each session is tailored to the individual child and the kinds of problems they are struggling with. Play that is highly repetitive often indicates a problem requiring further exploration. Therapists typically measure progress through session-to-session changes in play behavior.