Asperger's Syndrome Therapists in South Loop, Chicago, IL

Do you feel sad, anxious, and irritable and don't know why? Do you lack energy and motivation to accomplish even minor tasks at home, work, or school? Are you struggling to put your life back in order? Please consider talking with a psychologist or counselor to help get you through these difficult moments. Our clinicians use researched based strategies to help clients identify challenges, barriers, and obstacles in their lives which prevent them from achieving personal and professional goals, achieving greater self-worth, or control of their life.

Hello there! My name is Denise, and I am a clinical psychotherapist licensed in 4 states. My values include providing trustworthy support, integrity, fairness, innovation, unconditional positive regard, and creativity. I have practiced for 7+ years working with adults with various neurodivergence and abilities to meet their individual goals. Additionally, 10 years’ experience with Dual Diagnosed adults with social, vocational and communicable difficulties. I use an Eclectic, Existential approach to counseling drawing from the top theories and allowing for a very personal experience.

I use a collaborative model, where sessions feel like two people having a conversation in my living room, versus a stereotypical doctor/patient interaction. I don't view your issues as coming from an abnormal psychopathology, but instead as a reaction to living in a stressful, complex, and contradictory world. I seek to understand your issues in the context of your unique experience rather than viewing you as having something wrong or being broken. My focus is on what you need from me....I take my lead from you.

I'm a neurodivergent psychologist - for me this means I tend to talk and move rapidly & love researching! I believe my neurodiversity could provide a unique lens & approach to your care. I find great joy in helping individuals of all ages become more independent, understand themselves, and achieve their self-identified goals at the pace that is comfortable for their unique circumstances. I consider myself to be a behaviorist with a heart. Simply put, while I am linear and direct in my approach to clinical care, my overall style has been described as coming across as gentle, accommodating, compassionate, transparent, & authentic.

I work with individuals, couples, and families struggling with a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, addiction issues (substance abuse), troubled teens, school failure, LGBTQ+, and trauma and identity issues. As a lifelong allied and friend to the LGBTQ+ community, I work very hard to remain current to concerns that are specific to marginalized communities. I tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique needs. I will work with you to think outside of the box and build strength through our therapeutic relationship.

Often in times of stress, we don’t even realize how much emotional energy we are using just to get through the day. Whether you’re finding yourself feeling overwhelmed, stressed, in pain, alone, facing difficulties with family members, or experiencing recurring issues in close relationships, being able to talk about it can bring relief and even be life changing. Having a safe, nonjudgmental therapeutic space to address difficult, painful, or overwhelming feelings or problems can equip you to manage the adverse periods that life brings, feel better, and experience more satisfaction in your relationships and within yourself.

The Coronavirus Pandemic has created a collective trauma. There can be some comfort in knowing that everyone is making sacrifices in this new uncharted world; however, each person’s experience is unique. Often there are unexpected ups and downs in coping that can be surprising and catch us off guard. I specialize in working with clients facing issues of trauma. I have always been fascinated in how the mind naturally creates coping strategies to help get us through tough situations in its drive towards survival. Sometimes these strategies are helpful, but other times they can hinder us from living life to its fullest.

My ideal client comes from many walks of life. They are children, teenagers, and adults and present with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, relationship and family problems, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), school problems, and oppositional-defiant disorder. They all share a common need to be heard, empowered, and guided on the path of recovery. I provide evidence-based treatments tailored to the needs of my clients. I focus on strengths and capabilities rather than "illness."

Not accepting new clients at this time. Couples and individuals! If you are here on Psychology Today, you may be experiencing out of control feelings like depression, anxiety, ruminations, or obsessive thoughts. When emotional changes, occur, it’s nice to have a trusted professional to help you understand yourself, your optimum choices, and your ability to create new choices for yourself that feel best for you. If you are feeling uncertain or have a desire to create change for yourself but do not yet see the path, you can direct that change with a little help.

As therapists, we work to build a genuine relationship with each client, create a safe space for discovery, and aim to understand that individual. This allows clients to safely explore alongside the therapist, and begin to see themselves with greater clarity, depth, and honesty. Good, effective therapy will likely not happen overnight (though exciting and wonderful eureka moments certainly occur along the way), and trust, honesty, and humor are invaluable to a beneficial therapeutic relationship. We believe that laughter and tears are equally powerful but that therapeutic change is measured in neither.

It is my focus to emphasize the development of a trusting relationship to create a safe space for the therapeutic process. With a servant’s heart, I takes pride in working with clients in a collaborative effort to explore feelings, identify needs and create goals. I utilizes a holistic approach to address the functional, emotional and psychosocial health of the client.

My interest in therapy started when I was at my breaking point, and my own therapy experiences didn't help. Since then, I've tried to be a therapist for anyone who found themselves in a similar situation, and sometimes being a helper isn't enough. I strive to connect with people where they are at, to understand what others might not, and to help when even the system lets you down. We all need an ally to get unstuck, reconnect and pick ourselves up, and I believe in doing so with warmth and respect. It can be tough to choose a stranger when we feel vulnerable and out of control. I've made it my goal to be someone worthy of that.

Life’s challenges happen suddenly. Without warning it feels like you can’t navigate through with confidence and calm. Instead, you are plagued with worry, hesitation, anxiety, and depression. At times, life feels like a ticking time bomb, and you are desperately searching for an effective means to diffuse it. But your coping skills aren’t working well enough, or maybe they weren’t that healthy in the first place. How are you supposed to get comfortable with the challenges you are experiencing, let alone feel you are responding in a healthy way, when everything around you – maybe even your person – can be so unpredictable?

Are you struggling with stress, sadness or conflict in your relationship? If so, we can help! The therapists at Lakefront Counseling Group have successfully worked with couples and individuals who want to grow, heal and feel more fulfilled in their lives. Through a collaborative approach, we help you to be an active part of your therapy as we work together to achieve your desired goals. We are seasoned, highly trained and doctoral level therapists who have a strong track record of success in helping you to increase self-awareness and life satisfaction and feel more successful in your relationships.

I start with a thorough assessment of your current concerns. I take a broad-minded, non-judgmental approach to understanding what you are looking for help with. I try to be helpful by offering feedback and new perspectives and insights. I understand that you have probably already attempted several ways to address your concerns and by now you are most likely frustrated and worried. I will take a proactive and positive approach to your participation by helping you identify your personal strengths and assets that you can then use to develop a new and better response to your concerns.

Whatever the obstacle - fear to move forward, nagging self-doubt, or a harsh inner critic that tells you that you can't do it, I'm here to help you get unstuck! I'm passionate about working with adults affected by anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma as well as those wanting to focus on personal growth and relational issues. I have a background in Executive Functioning Coaching and Holistic Health Coaching, and expertise in a variety of approaches including Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Depth Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Inner Child Healing, Somatic/Body Work, and Meditation.

I provide quality mental health counseling and therapy that is thoughtfully tailored to your needs. Our work together will address concerns in an empowering and centering way that produces substantive change. My approach is connective (Therapy works best when we are able to connect and work well together) and directive (by directive I mean that I give things for you to do during the week like writing, journaling, reading, exercises, reflections, and/or activities). I'm known for being helpful with people who have been through therapy and haven't had success. I help people find aliveness, creativity, and strength.

I enjoy helping clients identify their unique strengths and gifts and develop the skills to lead a happier and more fulfilling life. Are you having difficulty with personal and/or professional relationships? Maybe you've achieved a great deal professionally or financially but are still dissatisfied with your life? Are you struggling with identity issues? Do you find yourself feeling emotional for no reason? Unsure about the path your life has taken? Perhaps you are struggling with parenting issues and not feeling up to the task. I have helped many clients overcome the above and other issues over the years.

Do you feel frustrated because you keep engaging in communication and behavior patterns that no longer serve you, or align with your values? Do you struggle with irritability, worry, poor focus, or memory problems? Do you find yourself experiencing problems with relationships, work, school, or life changes? If you're interested in learning new skills to manage stress/symptoms while effectively pursuing your goals, I might be able to help. Let's find ways you can thrive, not just survive.