Domestic Abuse Therapists in Chicago, IL

I began my career as a practicing attorney representing women in abusive relationships in order of protection and divorce proceedings. As a therapist, I use my legal and therapeutic background to provide individual counseling prior to, during, and after divorce. Divorce is a traumatic life event that can have a ripple effect on nearly every aspect of one's life. I offer clients both concrete help to better understand the legal system and what they can expect from the process, while also working to gain deeper insight into what happened in the relationship and starting to heal from the experience.

If you are depressed, stressed or anxious please schedule an appointment for us to meet. I offer a safe, warm environment for you to explore your feelings and needs I have been in the field of mental health for over 22 years and it is a labor of love. I love my work and being able to collaborate with someone to facilitate their restoration to health and happiness. In my opinion, we human beings are innately programmed to seek health and wholeness, therefore I use a strengths-based approach with my clients.

All families experience difficulties, however when emotional and behaviors cause conflicts seeking support can sometimes be difficult and intimidating. My experience working with families provide me with the expertise to help families find ways to best meet the family and individual needs. I have experienced working with school age children and adolescents. I also have experience with working with adult and families who are survivor(s) of sexual trauma and or domestic abuse / violence . I also have experience with working with adults who experience anger difficulties, anxiety and depression. I am also fluent in Spanish.

I seek to empathically meet my clients where they are at. Together, we will build a therapeutic relationship in which your sense of safety and being supported is paramount. I work to bring about the changes you want, including greater functioning and life satisfaction. I strongly believe that each of my clients are an expert in themselves, and thus, I am optimistic that between both of our expertises, we can pinpoint the root of your struggles and collaborate on how you can thrive moving forward.

As a therapist, I am dedicated to creating a safe and calming space for people to explore their needs on a journey to healing and wellness. I have a relational style of therapy that looks to your goals, experiences and strengths in order to meet your unique needs. I work individually with adults and couples who are struggling with loss, anxiety, depression, life transitions and trauma. I will meet you where you are with empathy and intuition. I have experience working with clients across gender, ethnic, generational and religious differences and incorporate spirituality into the therapeutic process when desired by clients.

Mary and Tom Leo Associates has provided counseling for children, adults and families throughout the Chicagoland area since 1975. We are dedicated to assisting all members of the family through individual, play, couples, and family therapy. Additionally, we provide parent coaching and parent training classes. Our experts assist struggling parent(s) with their children's negative behaviors. MTLA also provides therapeutic visitation using a model of service provision that is designed for neutrality, safety, structure, and consistency. We make the onboarding process seamless as we are dedicated to assisting clients reach their goals!

Do you struggle with effects of trauma or abuse ? Maybe you have used anxiety, depression, or self-sabotaging behaviors as a way to cope and now find that these behaviors no long help. Are you looking to heal from simple and complex trauma, physical/ emotional/ sexual/ narcissistic abuse , “limiting” beliefs, toxic relationships with a desire to improve day-to-day functioning, develop a greater sense of wellbeing, and improve self-esteem and acceptance? If you are seeking help, then you have the strength and resiliency to surpass recovery to a life of thriving. Come be curious, creative, open-minded and experimental with me.

Olivia has worked with clients of all ages with various levels of trauma experiences, narcissistic/ sexual/ physical abuse survivors, attachment difficulties, life transitions, codepedency, depression, anxiety, grief, and familial/peer relationship concerns. Practicing both personally and professionally from an anti-racist/ anti-oppressive lens and being LGBTQIA+ affirming, Olivia honors the intersectionalities of identities, lived experiences, and the ways in which these experiences are held in our bodies. She uses movement and expression to promote holistic healing that can aid with how these experiences show up in our bodies.

My experience includes working with grief, loss, anticipatory grief and trauma. Anxiety, panic and mood disorders. Lifestyle concerns and modifications including chronic illness, pain and co-occurring (mental health and substance abuse ) disorders. I am certified in thanatology (death, dying & bereavement) from the Association of Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). I am certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) from EMDRA.

My therapeutic approach emphasizes how our perspectives on life and relationships are informed by past experiences, where we are in the present, and our future hopes. I strive to create an open environment allowing access to the meaning of these experiences and explore the impact this has on our lives.

I am a firm believer that it is okay not to be okay and it is okay to ask for help. I strive to break the stigma around mental health, substance abuse , and seeking mental health services especially within minority communities where seeing a therapy is not a norm. I strive to normalize mental illness and addiction as we have normalized physical health. On this mission, I have had the pleasure to provide therapeutic services to diverse populations, including adolescents, adults, and families, via individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.

I discover objectively what is the challenge and apply the best treatment for abuse , aging, alcohol/substance use, anger, anxiety, attention deficit, autism spectrum disorders career consultation, coping, criminal charges, custody, delinquency, dementia, depression, divorce, DUI, dyslexia, hyperactivity, hypnosis, individualized education plans, insomnia, job loss, learning disability, lower productivity, neuropsychological exams, panic attacks, parenting, personal injury, personality tests, post automobile accident, relationship challenges, stress reduction, trauma, underachievement, vocational guidance, & workers compensation,

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who specializes in empowerment, helping folks overcome obstacles and live their best life. My approach is strengths based, solution focused and action oriented, to work together to help make sustainable positive changes in peoples' lives. I enjoy working with motivated people who are open to trying new things.

As an MA, LPC, I help individuals explore their thoughts, feelings and behavior to reach a more clear self-understanding and change long-standing patterns of behavior that may be disrupting relationships, work and study. The nonjudgemental and accepting nature of clinical mental health counseling makes it possible to face painful experiences. My client utilizes their capacity to change, seeking mental clarity, presence and balance. As a professional counselor I will work within clearly contracted, ethical boundaries, with respect for my clients, their values, their beliefs, their culture, to explore and resolve life difficulties.

I have a background in a variety of community settings, primarily specializing in work related to traumatic stress, family systems, and community mental health. I have individual and group therapy experience working with adult, adolescent, and child survivors of domestic violence , sexual abuse , and other forms of interpersonal violence . I am passionate about providing affirming services to the LGBTQIA+ community. Specialties: trauma and attachment, victim advocacy, anger management, relationship issues, transitions, parent-child work, nonprofit work, clinical supervision

Trust is how I define myself! Building a strong therapeutic alliance through trust and confidence is quintessential to positive change in life! When life gets tough through *Difficulties in relationships, *Sadness or depression, *Feelings of anxiety or panic, *Difficulties controlling your anger, *Struggling with parenting issues, *Acculturation/Ethnic minority struggles, *Grief over the loss of a loved one, *Dealing with substance abuse in yourself or someone you care about... One should consider beginning treatment with a professional trained with brief, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach towards changes in core beliefs and restructuring the thought processes towards a better outlook.....and that's me!

Thank you for taking the first step towards a happier, healthier life - you are making the important decision to support yourself. Brendan’s background is in sexual and domestic violence . He believes trauma affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. By establishing safety, remembering, and grieving, we are able to reconnect with our current lives. Our mental health has physical effects; Brendan focuses on the damage chronic stress has on the body as well as the mind. Our nervous system cannot absorb the impact of trauma alone. We find healing through our relationships and communities. Together, we find a path forward.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is paramount in fostering change. It is through an open, nonjudgmental, and safe environment that clients can explore and grow into their most authentic selves and lead more fulfilling lives. My approach emphasizes how our past and present experiences shape how we relate to others and the world around us. I work with children, adolescents, and adults, and utilize an integrative and collaborative approach that incorporates aspects of Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Feminist, Relational, and Strengths-Based approaches.

I am here to give support to those who have experienced racial and gender trauma, domestic and sexual abuse victims, exploration of self-identity in all aspects, and more. I practice cultural humility in order to be able to work with different cultures and intersectionality. I aim to provide a client-centered approach which I find important in maintaining this therapeutic relationship. We will work together to make this a safe and brave space for you so that you can embark on your journey to heal.