Therapists in Chicago, IL

Greetings! I'm Mel B, a multifaceted individual who proudly juggles various roles - a devoted partner, an adoring cat parent, a credentialed therapist and self-care advocate, a lover of iced coffee, and a shameless Swiftie. My core mission is to uplift and assist outgoing, loud, and unapologetic millennial females to lead lives that are truly reflective of their deepest desires and values. I focus on things like relationships, stress, careers, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms.

Hi there, I'm Lindsey. I work with folks ages 12 and up on goals related to depression, anxiety, trauma, complex trauma, body liberation, gender identity, and LGBTQIA+ identities. My work is centered around creating a warm, accepting space that promotes safety and connection to my clients. I believe healing happens through a collaborative relationship between you and myself, while emphasizing your autonomy and self-knowledge. Together we will work toward your current goals while also acknowledging the impact your past and the world around you has on your journey.

Starting therapy can feel scary and intimidating. You are looking for someone to share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with that will not judge you. I am here to help make that process easier. You deserve to have a space that is safe and supportive with a therapist that you know will fully accept you. I want to work with you to create a space infused with empathy, unconditional acceptance, and genuineness. You are welcome to show up just as you are and that is more than enough.

There are numerous reasons why an individual makes a decision to seek therapy. From my perspective, the key factor in being able to examine your individual reasons is based upon the relationship between yourself and your therapist. I offer a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment in order to explore your individual needs with a commitment to placing the highest priority on your care. We will work collaboratively to identify and address your concerns in order to foster meaningful change in your life. My clinical experience has included working not only with individuals but couples, families and groups.

I love seeing toddlers and children of all ages, parents, and adults. I am very helpful when it comes to becoming a little braver and having more compassion for yourself, especially if you've gone through some very hard times. I also love helping new mothers and young children co-regulate and get the most out of early childhood.

I know that therapy can be a daunting experience, but through personal therapy and my work as a therapist, I have seen the power and change it can bring. Knowing this, my role as a therapist is my greatest passion and highest honor. I am committed to every session being one that is supportive and safe to explore new, uncomfortable, or scary things, and bring about a change you can feel. I show up with enthusiasm and authenticity, ready to start this journey with you.

Your brain may be buzzing with worry, feeling overwhelmed with day to day tasks, or the urge to run away from what is making you feel this way. You could even be feeling afraid or scared of the thoughts that are coming up in your mind, making the sadness harder to carry or making you feel more tired. It can be exhausting to hold that pain alone but you deserve a reliable, affirming space so you can let it all out, get steady and find balance.

If you are ready to start exploring your relationship to alcohol, wondering how to best navigate your relationship with a loved one struggling with substance abuse, wanting to move away from codependent patterns, or if you would like to build a more balanced and compassionate relationship with food and your body, I am here to help.

Depth oriented, emotion focused and client driven approaches tend to predominate my therapeutic process. Our time together is likely to involve contemplative exploration, experiential interventions and an ongoing summoning of creativity. We will define ways to move out of stuckness and through distress. We will find access to fresh life experiences that are deeply reflective of your true self and that which stirs within you. If you are interested, I would be happy to meet with you for a free phone consultation, to answer any questions you might have and share more about how therapy can bring positive change into your life.

I am actively attuned and engaged with clients and use an integrative approach, drawing when appropriate from a range of lenses (Psychodynamic, Jungian, Internal Family Systems, and Object Relations). While I am trained and experienced in cognitively-based therapies (CBT), I thrive while using depth approaches, because I am passionate about guiding individuals toward new levels self-awareness. The process often results in psychological maturation and improvements in inner life and relationships.

Distress, discomfort, and change are often behind life's most challenging moments. However, with support, these moments can serve as catalysts for significant growth. I work with young adults, adults, and adolescents who are dealing with a variety of stressors, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, life transitions, family conflict, relationship issues, and identity exploration. I partner with clients to become curious about the patterns that may be appearing in their lives, discover and implement new coping strategies, and move forward with greater intention.

If you are experiencing hardships in anxiety, depression, trauma, imposter syndrome, work-life balance, marital issues, communication, and emotional regulation, I work to find both practical and insightful tools to handle an array of conflicts. I will help you navigate your patterns, from a holistic lens, utilize your strengths, and find meaning in the desired change you seek. In each session, You will be provided with a comfortable atmosphere where you can freely feel openness, honesty, and the trust to convey what ails you while receiving guidance and tools.

You are enough. Your life is worth living. People love you deeply. Your existence is, itself, a wonder. A miracle you're even here speaking to whomever you're speaking to, hurting however you're hurting, laughing over whatever. You series of unlikely events. You star-hearted little fiend. You've made a mess of everything. That's part of being alive. Now we will fix it. Which is also part of being alive. You're doing just fine. - Author unknown

Accepting New Patients in IL - I specialize in the treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), hair-pulling/skin-picking, and generalized anxiety. I have over a decade of experience working in private practice, university counseling centers, hospitals, and schools. I also frequently work with individuals facing stress, major life transitions, and academic or work-related issues. I've worked extensively with students and professionals in fields like law, medicine, and business.

You are tired of this circle of chaotic work and superficial relationships that are simply part of life. Your thoughts weigh you down and keep you in situations around other people who are not supportive of your best life. You long for that day when everything will come together, but that day somehow never dawns. Life feels empty and dead of meaning, yet deep inside, you long for real connections and a life truly to express who you are.

It's hard to know what someone will be like by simply reading a few paragraphs on a screen. Finding the right therapist is frustrating, so I will try my best to tell you who I am and how I can help. With a direct yet empathetic approach, we will address difficult topics using clinically proven treatment interventions. I will challenge and push you during sessions while saving room for humor because I believe that with this combination, we can find strength, resilience, and connection that help motivate us toward a more empowered future.

I firmly believe that the only way to overcome challenges is to face them. Much like navigating through quicksand, struggling only pulls you deeper; when you pause and find stillness, you begin to rise. As a psychologist, I aim to create a space of genuine warmth and sincerity, where together we can address and tackle the areas causing you distress, allowing you to find your buoyancy among life's struggles. In my practice, I bring a personalized approach, drawing from my roles as a Clinical Psychologist, Director of Testing, and a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor.

I have a broad range of experience with individual therapy, with personal and professional experience addressing the needs of those who are queer, trans, polyamorous, or kinky. I offer knowledgeable and affirming practice to a spectrum of folks who may struggle to find the “right fit” with their therapist. I’m committed to working with individuals within LGBTQ+ communities, particularly those who are gender expansive; other areas of focus include depression and anxiety, mood disorders, life transitions, intergenerational and complex trauma, mental health in the workplace, sexuality and health, and identity development.

Are you looking for a therapist who is warm and caring, but also actively supports you in making necessary changes? I show up to sessions ready to listen and hold intense emotions. Through our conversations we will identify your hopes, fears, and stuck points. We will then work together to move you towards the life that you dream of. We will co-create homework, so that you can take what we discuss and practice it in your day-to-day life. Your homework might be reaching out to an old friend, or breathing through an urge to yell at your children, or taking that first step on a project you’ve been dreaming about for years.