Play Therapy in River North, Chicago, IL
I work with individuals navigating life transitions, trauma, and grief that impact mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, and physical well-being. My trauma- and grief-informed approach integrates CBT and spiritually responsive care to help clients understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are shaped by loss and adversity. Therapy focuses on emotional safety, meaning-making, and practical coping skills that support healing and resilience. I partner with open-minded, committed clients seeking growth, validation, and empowerment as they reconnect with purpose and build the capacity to face life with clarity and strength.
I work with individuals navigating life transitions, trauma, and grief that impact mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, and physical well-being. My trauma- and grief-informed approach integrates CBT and spiritually responsive care to help clients understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are shaped by loss and adversity. Therapy focuses on emotional safety, meaning-making, and practical coping skills that support healing and resilience. I partner with open-minded, committed clients seeking growth, validation, and empowerment as they reconnect with purpose and build the capacity to face life with clarity and strength.
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.
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.
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.
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 provide relationship-based play therapy services to children presenting with trauma disorders, developmental delays, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, and autism.
I am trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to better serve children and families who have experienced trauma. Additionally, I have obtained my certification in PC-CARE, which is a brief play-based program to support children with minor behavioral challenges.
I provide relationship-based play therapy services to children presenting with trauma disorders, developmental delays, anxiety, ADHD, mood disorders, behavioral challenges, and autism.
I am trained in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) to better serve children and families who have experienced trauma. Additionally, I have obtained my certification in PC-CARE, which is a brief play-based program to support children with minor behavioral challenges.
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.
I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in bringing about meaningful change, and I take a collaborative approach to therapy to empower my clients. I am deeply passionate about fostering healthy connections and promoting emotional well-being as clients navigate life transitions, relational difficulties, anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, and more. My goal as a therapist is to create a safe and supportive environment through validation, unconditional acceptance, humor, and honesty, which allows clients to deepen their understanding of themselves and others.
I believe that a strong therapeutic relationship is essential in bringing about meaningful change, and I take a collaborative approach to therapy to empower my clients. I am deeply passionate about fostering healthy connections and promoting emotional well-being as clients navigate life transitions, relational difficulties, anxiety, depression, traumatic experiences, and more. My goal as a therapist is to create a safe and supportive environment through validation, unconditional acceptance, humor, and honesty, which allows clients to deepen their understanding of themselves and others.
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.
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.
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.
I have 9 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. I have over 9 years of clinical experiences 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 9 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. I have over 9 years of clinical experiences 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 am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I earned a bachelor’s in developmental psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and my master’s in social work, social policy, and social administration from the University of Chicago. I have experience working with individuals throughout the lifespan, from infancy through late adulthood. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults on anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use, grief, self-awareness, self-management, and relationship skills.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I earned a bachelor’s in developmental psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and my master’s in social work, social policy, and social administration from the University of Chicago. I have experience working with individuals throughout the lifespan, from infancy through late adulthood. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults on anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use, grief, self-awareness, self-management, and relationship skills.
I integrate play, storytelling, and even video games with younger clients, and offer psychoeducation to help individuals and families understand behaviors and emotions in a way that feels empowering.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward? Do you or your child struggle with big emotions, attention challenges, or past experiences that still affect you today? I specialize in working with anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and life transitions. Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis, struggling with low self-worth, or managing overwhelming feelings - you deserve a space where your story matters. My work is grounded in honoring your lived experience, resilience, and capacity for change.
I integrate play, storytelling, and even video games with younger clients, and offer psychoeducation to help individuals and families understand behaviors and emotions in a way that feels empowering.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of how to move forward? Do you or your child struggle with big emotions, attention challenges, or past experiences that still affect you today? I specialize in working with anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and life transitions. Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis, struggling with low self-worth, or managing overwhelming feelings - you deserve a space where your story matters. My work is grounded in honoring your lived experience, resilience, and capacity for change.
Rebecca brings experience working with clients all across the lifespan in clinical areas such as school stress, depression, complex anxiety, low self-esteem, and life transitions. 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 clients all across the lifespan in clinical areas such as school stress, depression, complex anxiety, low self-esteem, and life transitions. 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.
We often seek therapy when something within us feels unsettled. When we’re overwhelmed, disconnected, or carrying emotions that feel too heavy or too tangled to sort through alone. Life may be moving forward, but we may not feel ready to move with it. This can bring frustration, sadness, anxiety, or a blend of feelings that make it hard to begin. In my work, I help clients gently explore what shapes their emotions, relationships, and sense of self in the world. With empathy and curiosity, we make meaning of what feels unresolved and create space for healing.
We often seek therapy when something within us feels unsettled. When we’re overwhelmed, disconnected, or carrying emotions that feel too heavy or too tangled to sort through alone. Life may be moving forward, but we may not feel ready to move with it. This can bring frustration, sadness, anxiety, or a blend of feelings that make it hard to begin. In my work, I help clients gently explore what shapes their emotions, relationships, and sense of self in the world. With empathy and curiosity, we make meaning of what feels unresolved and create space for healing.
Wellington Counseling Group
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
1 Endorsed
River North, Chicago, IL 60654
At Wellington Counseling Group, we’ve assembled a diverse team of psychotherapists from various backgrounds and areas of expertise to provide the most inclusive and compassionate care possible. We’ll take the time to understand your goals for therapy and connect you with the ideal therapist for your needs at a time that works best for your busy life. We are an organization of Chicago therapists focused on human healing. This focus has brought us to a place of seeking to expand our contributions to the surrounding community, separate from, but related to, the therapeutic care we already provide to individuals and families.
At Wellington Counseling Group, we’ve assembled a diverse team of psychotherapists from various backgrounds and areas of expertise to provide the most inclusive and compassionate care possible. We’ll take the time to understand your goals for therapy and connect you with the ideal therapist for your needs at a time that works best for your busy life. We are an organization of Chicago therapists focused on human healing. This focus has brought us to a place of seeking to expand our contributions to the surrounding community, separate from, but related to, the therapeutic care we already provide to individuals and families.
My focus is on helping parents find balance, learn self-care, loosen the guilt and learn about their littles. I help those in all types of parenting roles with their new or changing identities as they're shifted into a life different than the one they once had. Parenthood brings to the surface a lot of old feelings and wounds that often need to be processed as well as figuring out which patterns are being played out from their own childhood and if there are any they need help not repeating. I have a specialty in babies, toddlers and preschoolers but assist them by working with their parents. I do 1:1 therapy with adults and kids.
My focus is on helping parents find balance, learn self-care, loosen the guilt and learn about their littles. I help those in all types of parenting roles with their new or changing identities as they're shifted into a life different than the one they once had. Parenthood brings to the surface a lot of old feelings and wounds that often need to be processed as well as figuring out which patterns are being played out from their own childhood and if there are any they need help not repeating. I have a specialty in babies, toddlers and preschoolers but assist them by working with their parents. I do 1:1 therapy with adults and kids.
I work with teens and adults experiencing ADHD, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, perfectionism, grief, trauma, and relationship concerns. With a background in the arts, I may integrate creative strategies to support healing, self-soothing, and trauma processing. Sessions are warm, collaborative, and often infused with humor. My approach is holistic, relational, and psychodynamic, encouraging active engagement, deeper self-understanding, and a stronger relationship with yourself.
I work with teens and adults experiencing ADHD, anxiety, panic attacks, stress, perfectionism, grief, trauma, and relationship concerns. With a background in the arts, I may integrate creative strategies to support healing, self-soothing, and trauma processing. Sessions are warm, collaborative, and often infused with humor. My approach is holistic, relational, and psychodynamic, encouraging active engagement, deeper self-understanding, and a stronger relationship with yourself.
My goal is to create a safe space that allows each individual to feel supported and heard in their experience. I believe in the importance of meeting each client where they are, increasing self-awareness, identifying strengths, and working alongside each client towards their treatment goals. I use an empathetic and positive, client-centered approach. My areas of interest include perinatal/postpartum mental health, perinatal loss, birth trauma, infertility, motherhood, women's issues, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief & loss, and life transitions.
My goal is to create a safe space that allows each individual to feel supported and heard in their experience. I believe in the importance of meeting each client where they are, increasing self-awareness, identifying strengths, and working alongside each client towards their treatment goals. I use an empathetic and positive, client-centered approach. My areas of interest include perinatal/postpartum mental health, perinatal loss, birth trauma, infertility, motherhood, women's issues, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief & loss, and life transitions.
Are you feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or misunderstood? You can feel better. My mission is to improve the lives of adolescents, families and individuals by providing effective mental and behavioral health services. I work with clients to set and achieve their treatment goals by cultivating intimacy with God. I believe that all healing happens in the context of relationship. My services are tailored to meet your needs.
Are you feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or misunderstood? You can feel better. My mission is to improve the lives of adolescents, families and individuals by providing effective mental and behavioral health services. I work with clients to set and achieve their treatment goals by cultivating intimacy with God. I believe that all healing happens in the context of relationship. My services are tailored to meet your needs.
See more therapy options for River North, Chicago
Nearby Play Therapy Searches for River North, Chicago
- Dearborn Park
- Little Italy
- Loop
- Near Eastside
- Near North Side
- Noble Square
- 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
Play Therapy Therapists
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.