Therapists in Chicago, IL

It is the desire of every human being to be loved and to belong. The only true thing that distinguishes us from one another is our experiences and our perspective of those experiences. Your past, the personal struggles and decisions you currently face and the conflicts between you and those you care about does not define you. What I offer is empathy, compassion, and support with a focus on creating a warm, safe and welcoming environment where you can be heard and understood without judgment.

Life is all about relationships--beginning with the one you have with yourself. My goal is to provide a safe place for you to explore your underlying feelings leading to a better understanding and acceptance of who you are and who you can be. I will provide you a supportive relationship as you re-gain control of your life. Changes within often change relationships with others and that can be challenging, even frightening, yet rewarding. We will work together to strengthen emotional bonds with loved ones, cope with grief and loss, deal with trauma, and maintain a sense of inner balance.

How we make sense of our life experiences and deal with life's challenges is important for all of us. Adoption adds a layer of complexity. Issues of attachment, trauma, loss, race/identity, behavioral regulation, self-esteem and the impact of difficult/unknown early history take on added significance as children grow and mature into young adults. At The Cradle Center for Lifelong Support, I work with all members of the adoption circle My expertise is in strengthening children and their families by improving attachment, communication and understanding through individual/family therapy, parent coaching and education.

As a culturally affirming trauma therapist, my highest intention is to restore dignity to those who have been marginalized or exiled from our human community because of their traumatic experiences. I see therapy as a journey we embark on together, where I am invited not only to tread the well-worn paths of our shared humanity, but also to walk reverently into the sacred spaces of my clients' life stories. I approach this work with humility, deep respect, and a fierce commitment to my clients' well-being. I am known to hang in there when things get tough, and I enjoy a healthy dose of playfulness and humor in every relationship.

As an adopted person, my 30 plus years' experience using inner child work, researching, and supporting fellow adopted persons and mothers of adoption loss has given me a unique insight into the struggles of adoption, the primal wound, reunion preparation, reunion difficulties, and the impact of early childhood trauma. I am the author of five adoption related books, three of which have been translated into Chinese, German and Korean.

Therapy is unique to every person. No matter if you are a teen or an adult, there are times in our lives when we need a helping hand or person to sit with us as we process and explore our inner selves or the impact life has on us. My practice is about being there with you and offering positive regard for you and the work you are doing, and developing a space that is safe for you to explore and heal wounds. I also supervision for new counselors hoping for an integrative approach to counseling as well as focus on the client and counselor (inquire about fees).

Are you looking for an experienced, local therapist for yourself or a family member? I have had extensive experience, both professionally and personally, in treating both adults and children. who have suffered loss, childhood abuse, depression and shame. I am currently offering clients a choice between teletherapy or being seen in my Oak Park office.

Are you grappling with constant anxiety, struggling to overcome depression, finding it hard to manage work-related stress, or dealing with relationship conflicts? Perhaps you are a parent, or soon-to-be parent who is struggling. At Evolve Family Practice, we understand how these issues can lead to sleepless nights, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of isolation. Therapy can create a supportive and personalized plan to address your mental health needs, helping you find relief and regain a a sense of balance and well-being. It can be hard to call, yet you have an inner strength that has led you this far!

There are times when life becomes extremely overwhelming. During these times, I believe having a supportive and engaging ear promotes healing. I am a licensed clinical social worker and I have devoted years to helping individuals who are experiencing difficulty managing life stressors. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults across multiple settings including community mental health agencies, private practice, residential homes, and schools. My areas of interest include treating young adults clients dealing with life-stage transition difficulties, parents experiencing difficulties with their children, couples and families, as well as individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.

As a first-generation Latina, Licensed Social Worker, & mental health advocate, I am passionate about helping others work through their mental health journey to find peace & feel empowered to overcome their hardships. I utilize a culturally competent, trauma-focused, & intersectional approach to gain a deep understanding of how I can connect with an individual. Through a trauma-informed lens, I work with my clients to explore childhood experiences, their cultural identity, interpersonal relationships, triggers, life stressors, generational trauma, & how trauma experiences impact the mind & body.

My passion is to help you feel heard, understood, and hopeful about the possibility of change. You'd be surprised by how much better you may feel after just a few sessions, either in-person or tele-health. I specialize in working with clients who are struggling with a number of things at the same time (such as life transitions, anxiety, trauma). My ideal client is someone who is interested in going below surface issues, and- potentially- including some "body-up" work in their therapy.

My approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that each individual has the capacity to affect change in his/her life. I also believe in my responsibility to actively engage with my client and facilitate their movement through their issues and feelings. Different theoretical interventions may be more facilitative depending on one's particular needs, one's background, one's view of the world, and one's capacity for insight. As a therapist, I truly consider the individual as a whole and attempt to utilize the most effective tool to facilitate progress towards independent wellness given the particular needs and challenges of my client.

Imagine a life where you can harness your strengths and find more joy in life. You may be a family struggling with stressors related to uncertainty and changes. Your child's school may have reached out to you to discuss concerns related to their academic and social emotional wellness. You may find yourself questioning your relationship with your child and wondering what their behaviors are telling you. It might be difficult to get up in the morning and stay present throughout the day. That ray of sunshine may feel like it's far in the distance. If so, I am here to help your child, teen, and family.

Therapy, from my perspective, is all about balance and curiosity. High hopes and occasional tough love balanced with gentleness and compassion for yourself and your loved ones. Embracing and working toward change while also accepting oneself and loving our immutable parts. Curiosity about why we are the way we are and where we might go from here, and the openness and vulnerability to get there. I view therapy as very much a collaboration -- I bring my expertise in therapeutic methods, you bring your expertise in your own life, and together we work to build the best future for you.

Symptoms tell stories and those stories must be heard, understood and thought about. Psychotherapy is committing to a psychic journey where one endeavors at an understanding of themselves through a deep and long term process. I focus on increasing ones sense of inner freedom and reducing stress that manifests in unwanted symptoms, via thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

Many people seek out therapy during a time that feels particularly challenging. Though the difficulties that we face can often seem clearly recognizable, the experience of going through a loss, a life transition, or the end of a relationship can have deep and overwhelming impacts. Sometimes, as a person navigates these challenges, they can come to feel stuck within an emotional experience, an idea, or the way that they tend to relate to themselves and others. It might help you to know that, with time and dedication, many people uncover new possibilities, meanings, and ways of being through therapy.

I believe that therapy should be a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space, that offers the opportunity to process and make sense of emotions and experiences, and move towards deeper sense of self understanding. I am dedicated to helping people identify how certain thoughts, feelings and behaviors contribute to distress, and creating a collaborative path to change. My passion for providing therapy comes from the belief that we are inherently aware of what we need to be successful and are capable of making the changes necessary to move in a positive direction.

I appreciate the long and difficult journey one can sometimes experience prior to making the decision to seek out the support of a therapist. Therapy can offer a hopeful means of prevention and intervention and facilitate a healthy way of responding to challenging behaviors and complex developmental issues. With specialized training working with children, adolescents, and families, I am committed to collaborating with you throughout the therapy process in order to work towards the desired progress and growth for you and your family.

Is a relationship causing you pain? As a relationship expert, I help both couples and individuals get what they truly need, either individually or through the relationship itself. I will help you (each) get in touch with what you're deeply wanting, and be able to express those desires in a healthy, positive way that others can hear. From this place of strength, fundamental transformation is possible, either to let go of a harmful relationship or to create a relationship that is vibrant and a source of sustaining joy.