Relationship Issues Therapists in South Loop, Chicago, IL

A enjoy working with people who are members of marginalized populations and those that hold unique identities and relationship dynamics. As a person-centered therapist, I aim to develop an understanding of who you are and your outlook on life. I’m curious about what systems and challenges you've faced, how they have influenced your life thus far, and how all this impacts your closest and most valued relationships.

Have you been feeling overwhelmed, sad, or disconnected lately? You've been trying to keep up but suddenly realize that you’re not happy with yourself or your relationships. You know something needs to change but don’t know where to begin. I have several years of experience treating adults with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem at university counseling centers, a behavioral health hospital, and in private practice. I specialize in helping clients navigate relationship issues so they can establish more fulfilling relationships with others.

I am deeply committed to my clinical work and consider it a great privilege to accompany my clients in their personal journey as they navigate life's challenges. I strive to create a therapy space that is warm, open, inviting, supportive and affirming. My intervention techniques are strength-based and informed by the latest research. Although I enjoy working with a variety of concerns, my areas of expertise focus on adjustment to life transitions, anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, and topics related to diversity. In addition to maintaining a thriving private practice, I am also a Professor at Alliant University.

It's challenging to deal with changes in your life, finding your identity, and managing relationships no matter what, but it's extra challenging if you don't take the "traditional" route. As a queer individual, I know the challenge myself. Whether you want to explore your gender or sexuality, receive support throughout a major transition, work through relational difficulties, heal from trauma, or simply expand your feeling of self-love, I can help. I work with folx of all ages to heal from personal and systemic traumas, through the means of deconstructing old narratives and building new meanings of the events in your life.

Renew. Revive. Restore. The decision to begin therapy is a brave one. Embarking on a journey of healing is an investment in one's self. I seek to partner with clients on their quest to better understand themselves, their relationships and their lives. In the confines of a respectful, nurturing relationship, clients heal from their past and create a new narrative in which they can thrive.

I support clients in finding clarity, understanding themselves more deeply, and taking steps towards creating the kind of life they want to experience. My clients feel lost or overwhelmed and want something to change, but may not know where to start. Together, we work to understand how unprocessed emotions and past experiences are getting in the way of their wellbeing in the form of anxious thoughts, unhelpful relationship patterns, or negative self-talk. My clients want to build tools to become more self-aware, cope with challenges, and feel more satisfied in their personal relationships.

You spend a substantial amount of time pretending to have it all figured out, but inside you struggle with feeling flawed, unusual, or broken, and you imagine that no one around you can really understand what this feels like. It might look like despising the body that you exist in and feeling like your only option is to change it. It might look like feeling like your insecurities are crushing you, and impacting how you interact with others. It might look like struggling after hearing your partner had an affair, not knowing how you will emotionally recover. You want a therapist who can hold your hand and remind you of your own light.

As social beings, relationships are a central part of our lives, so it’s important to make sure those relationships are healthy and meeting our needs! How we communicate with others is a huge factor in relationship building. Whether you are seeking individual or couples therapy, we can, together, work on building effective communication skills. My direct and collaborative approach to therapy allows you to be an active participant in deciding how we can best tackle the problem at hand. As an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, I will make sure you always feel safe and welcome in the therapeutic space.

My priority in our therapeutic relationship is that you feel comfortable and accepted in a safe and non-judgmental environment. My objective is to work with you as a whole person, rather than just a list of issues. It is imperative to me that you feel heard and understood. I truly love being a therapist and feel privileged to be a part of my client's lives.

Our relationship with ourselves is constantly evolving; a reality that is simultaneously wonderful & deeply challenging. This has an impact on our ability to engage in our lives, communities, & relationships. The journey of self-discovery can feel daunting- my approach to therapy offers a starting point. Through a balance of insight & mindfulness, I invite clients to shift their point of view. I value clients' unique perspective and I believe there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy. Together, with all our nuances & imperfections, we can co-create a therapeutic relationship that feels safe & impactful.

Life is constantly moving, changing, and evolving. Sometimes it feels like too much to take on alone. In a fast-paced world with many truths, I enable individuals to fully understand themselves in a warm, judgment-free environment. I work with young adults facing life transitions, relationship challenges, career stress, and quarter-life crisis. I also work with adults of all ages experiencing anxiety, depression, career uncertainty, grief, eating disorders, and health concerns. I am incredibly impassioned by helping individuals to understand their own personal intersection between mental wellness and physical health.

I believe in the enriching and transformative power of an authentically validating therapeutic relationship, one that is secure and trusting. My sincere goal is to create a connection with you that is collaborative, accepting, exploratory, honest and safe. Therapy has the ability to awaken us to be fully present in life. It helps us to know our stories, our patterns, our desires, our full and whole selves more deeply. This awareness inspires and creates growth, healing and change.

I work with individuals to process their experiences, heal from past wounds, and reconnect with their inner strength. Life transitions can be challenging, and I provide guidance and support as individuals navigate through these periods of change. Whether it's a career shift, relationship change, or any other significant life event, I help my clients explore their emotions, fears, and aspirations. Together, we develop coping strategies, foster resilience, and discover opportunities for growth and personal transformation. I am passionate about creating an inclusive and culturally sensitive therapeutic environments.

Could you use a safe space to process a major life transition? Are you looking for guidance on improving your relationships? I see therapy as a valuable tool to reflect on life, unpack how you're feeling, and discover what changes you can make to be more satisfied. My therapeutic style tends to be a good fit for clients who identify as perfectionists, struggle with anxiety and uncertainty, or who are experiencing stress from significant phase of life changes like a new job, marriage, or having kids. I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) and Certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C).

Accomplishing the demands of life becomes more difficult when anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, addiction, burnout, or big life changes stand in your way. In my eyes, as long as you are breathing there is hope for positive change! If your goal is to rediscover a feeling or part of yourself that has been lost, or forge a life where your relationships feel healthy and satisfying, I may be a great fit for you. I use evidence-based theoretical models to guide our work together, and a strong sense of humor when appropriate. In fact, I think therapy should be as fun as it is challenging!

I've spent decades coaching white collar professionals on career, business and relationship issues. I'm especially skilled at helping clients develop successful romantic relationships and prepare for marriage. I also have a strong track record of assisting clients with career transitions and I love helping those in midlife, create the next chapter. Additionally, I've spent many years coaching women through the process of divorce. I have a strong interest and talent for coaching entrepreneurs on growing their businesses and helping them sell those businesses if they choose to.

Being a therapist is a privilege and an honor. I care deeply about your reality and experience of the world. I have a Master's degree in Counseling, focusing on psychodynamic and feminist theory. My psychodynamic training means I have experience listening in a specific way that invites us, together, to discover and make meaning out of the experiences in life. I believe that gaining insight means learning to be open to learning about ourselves curiously and compassionately. All parts of you, including the ones deemed shameful or bad, are accepted into this space.

Are you feeling dissatisfied and frustrated with yourself, your personal relationships, and/or your career at this time? Have you attempted to resolve such concerns on your own or with the assistance of important others but only made limited progress? If so, it might be a good time to consider participating in therapy with a trained professional to assist you in making the meaningful changes in yourself and your life that you desire. I specialize in helping young and middle-aged adults address their personal, vocational identity, and interpersonal related concerns.

Allowing yourself to be supported is the first step towards becoming your best self. However, without adequate support, overcoming feelings of sadness, overwhelm, disconnection or insecurity can be an exhausting and isolating experience. This is why I understand the importance of finding the right therapist. You may be seeking to feel truly heard and understood without judgment by someone you can trust to help you feel more grounded, confident, and satisfied in your everyday life. As a therapist, my main goal is to create that safe and trusting relationship to guide and empower you towards achieving ultimate personal growth.