Therapists in Chicago, IL

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and have been providing individual, couples, family and group counseling services in a variety of settings for over 17 years. I truly believe in the power of the therapeutic process working together to identify personal challenges and develop healthy solutions that utilize individual strengths. Whether a client presents issues relating to chronic mental health, stage of life changes, relationship conflicts or simply to maintain mental wellness, therapy is a supportive environment that facilitates personal growth.

Thank you for choosing me, Mercedes P Cisneros Watson -Watson MA., LCPC and Path for your Counseling needs. I “Mercedes” a Native of Chicago, am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), in the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulations since 1998. My Clinical counseling experience spans over 30 years. My areas of clinical interest include addressing adult Women’s and Men’s life issues such as Intergenerational Trauma Survivors, Grief/ Loss, Divorce, Abusive relationships and, General Mood Disorders ie, Depression, General Anxiety Disorders. Gender Dysphoria, and Various personality disorders.

With over 15 years of experience, I know that life is full of challenges and struggles which can leave us feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, or angry. It takes courage to look at the areas of your life that you are dissatisfied with and share your thoughts and feelings. I provide a safe, non-judgemental, compassionate space where you have the opportunity to tell your unique story, gain insight, and make positive lasting change. Working to alleviate your distress, my focus is to guide you to take the necessary steps towards greater fulfillment, meaning, and an overall sense of well being.

As a therapist, I believe in the power of self-awareness in helping people overcome adversity. Trained in Systems Therapy at the Family Institute at Northwestern University, my orientation is to use relationships to strengthen our understanding of one another, and of ourselves. I value the humanistic experience most of all, and strive to learn as much as possible about one's past motivations and ways of coping. I also believe that the therapeutic relationship is the key ingredient in effecting change. I use compassion and acceptance as tools to help create space for that change.

I believe therapy should be a supportive experience. Using a strength-based approach, I work hard to help my clients navigate emotions, develop coping skills and strengthen relationships. While working towards their goals, I value understanding individual experiences and underlying emotions. My work is centered around lifting constraints which prevent change and exploring new behaviors and thought patterns.

You are exactly where you need to be even though it may not feel that way. Everything you need to move through this chapter is with you. Our job is to help you unfold that and give a little push. We utilize an integrative and holistic approach, based on your personality, needs and area of concern. Therefore, treatment is different for each person.

Do you feel your life doesn't reflect your hopes and dreams? Do your relationships lack the satisfaction & warmth you wish and deserve? Are you finding it challenging to be the spouse or parent you want to be? Have you been diagnosed with a medical condition and struggling to adjust? Are you caring for a loved one with an illness and feeling the stress? As your partner and guide, I can help you remove unhealthy patterns and develop more constructive ways of coping. I can assist you in feeling happier, more resilient in the face of life challenges, developing stronger relationships and achieving your full potential.

I am honored for you to consider my practice to assist you in navigating this journey we call life. Are you experiencing a life changing event that you are struggling to navigate? At a crossroads, trying to decide where to go or what to do next? In a time of transition with your partner, or loved one? Struggling to get along or communicate? Do you need an objective impartial party to help guide you? There is no right or wrong answer, just what is best for your situation and those involved. I am affirming and supportive of the LGBTQ+ and Poly(ENM) communities. My hope is to guide you to a place of "transformation and new beginnings".

Therapy is an opportunity for you to gain insight, find hope, and make lasting change. With my support, you can gain increased self-awareness and clarity into the self-defeating patterns and beliefs that may be keeping you stuck, distressed, alone or in conflict. I strive to create an atmosphere that is caring, compassionate and safe to empower you to take the necessary steps toward greater fulfillment and meaning. Specializing in issues pertaining to relationships and life transitions, including marriage/divorce, parenting, relocation, career changes and loss, I will help you discover your strengths, enhance self-esteem, improve communication, and ease your anxiety.

Hi there! My name is Ryan and I am a counselor in training pursuing a master's degree in counseling at Governors State University. I am specializing in marriage, couple, and family counseling and I am Gottman level 1 certified and trained for couples therapy. I have the skills and tools needed to treat individuals, couples, and families with a wide range of issues. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to help and serve unique individuals, couples, and families on their journey to healing and wellness.

I am obsessed with partnering alongside brave people who are motivated for a better life, become the architects to actually do it! We all come face to face with our personal "life stumbling stone" (a certain event, relationship, loss, difficult life situation), that we are unable to adequately cope with, using our own inner strength, resources, knowledge or willpower. Loss and adversity are a part of life, but it can be the architecture for a better, more fulfilling and joyful life, it just depends how we use it! With over 30 years working with clients, across the entire life span, let me coach you to create your best you!

I provide therapy that is collaborative, understanding and humanistic, where I work together with patients to customize therapy so it is tailored to the patient's unique needs and goals. I work with people to address a range of issues, including depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, problematic substance use, shame, loss and grief, relationship difficulties, sexual and gender identity issues, job and academic stress, adjustment challenges to situations such as divorce, new parenthood, stepparenting, adoption and challenges managing and coping with serious health conditions such as infertility, autoimmune disease and cancer.

Licensed in Texas and Illinois. As we navigate our unique journey in life, sometimes additional support is needed along the way. My interactions with clients are grounded in compassion, respect, empathy, and an understanding of cultural impacts. My role as a therapist is to help educate and empower clients so that they develop the insight and skills necessary to overcome their own personal and situational challenges. Examining the core of your presenting symptoms can be challenging but you are worth the life changing experience. I work with couples, families, & individuals including adults and adolescents ages 14+.

Safety, trust and encouragement are imperative ingredients to a successful therapeutic relationship. As a seasoned therapist my ideal client seeks a collaborative relationship and is eager to invest in greater self-understanding and willingness to take action. Clients battling stress-related issues that compromise performance in work, school, or intimate relationships are a good match. Transforming anxiety, despair, and self-doubt into courage, inspiration, and confidence is my strength. I'm comfortable addressing thoughts that disempower or emotions that are frightening.

I want to make the world a better place one sex life at a time. Issues I work with include: differences in sex drives, sex addiction, painful sex, having good sex, intimacy building, communication enhancement, sexual dysfunctions/disorders, sex before/during/after baby, sex after divorce, sex later in life. I also offer pre- and post marital counseling. In addition, I help work through mood and/or personality disorders. I assist with declining intimacy, infidelity, addictions, or anything that is further negatively impacting your relationships.

Have you ever felt like you were busy doing all the things you thought would bring you a happy life, yet felt alone and disconnected from yourself and others? These feelings are often when people turn to alcohol, drugs, food, shopping or relationships to try to create those feelings of happiness, contentment and joy. It can work for a short time however the key to moving forward is to understand the reasons we seek out these distractions.

I am a Multi-State Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years’ experience working with children, teens, adults, & couples. I have experience working in school systems, therapeutic day schools, victim advocacy, trauma survivors, client representation in court, & supporting both adults and couples through life transitions and system issues. I have worked extensively with parents going through divorce, including parent coaching and successful coparenting post-divorce. I am trained in Level 1 Gottman Method to assist couples by implementing targeted interventions to increase communication & enhance couple’s conflict regulation.

As a results oriented clinician, I welcome clients across the lifespan for individual, couples, and family therapy. My specialization is working with clients facing depression, trauma, grief and loss, infertility, self-esteem, mood and motivational challenges. My approach to psychotherapy is insight based integrated with other methods to meet the unique needs and goals of my clients. Additionally, my interests expand to family psychology, supporting clients through separation and divorce as well as parent-child therapeutic reintegration and reunification therapy.

Working with various populations has taught me the importance of understanding the full individual and their own unique experience in the world. I provide a supportive environment, focusing on symptom reduction while also exploring underlying roots of emotional discomfort. I encourage self-exploration, emotional processing, and self-acceptance. I try to help clients connect past experiences to their current situations, and I utilize the therapeutic relationship to foster clients' growth and self-fulfillment. I find therapy to be powerful and exciting, and I consider it a privilege to help people strive for their potential.