Personality Disorders Therapists in Chicago, IL
My work as a Jungian Analyst emphasizes depth work with the symbolic dimensions of a person's individual life experiences through dreams, art and Jung's distinctive method of active imagination that allows the individual to enter into a constructive relationship with the unconscious. I find that many issues that bring people to therapy or analysis originate in an inability to find meaning in their everyday life, and that working within these "imaginal spaces" can contribute to a deeper understanding of the course one's life has taken and will take in the future.
My work as a Jungian Analyst emphasizes depth work with the symbolic dimensions of a person's individual life experiences through dreams, art and Jung's distinctive method of active imagination that allows the individual to enter into a constructive relationship with the unconscious. I find that many issues that bring people to therapy or analysis originate in an inability to find meaning in their everyday life, and that working within these "imaginal spaces" can contribute to a deeper understanding of the course one's life has taken and will take in the future.
I'm a compassionate mental health professional specializing in providing essential support to adolescents and adults during challenging phases of life. Recognizing the difficulty in seeking help, I offer easily accessible telehealth services with immediate availability. With years of expertise in severe mental health issues, grief, depression, and domestic violence, I am deeply committed to delivering empathetic and collaborative care that empowers my clients to achieve their goals and experience more fulfilling lives
I'm a compassionate mental health professional specializing in providing essential support to adolescents and adults during challenging phases of life. Recognizing the difficulty in seeking help, I offer easily accessible telehealth services with immediate availability. With years of expertise in severe mental health issues, grief, depression, and domestic violence, I am deeply committed to delivering empathetic and collaborative care that empowers my clients to achieve their goals and experience more fulfilling lives
Sarah O Goldberg
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, PhD
Chicago, IL 60603
Waitlist for new clients
Many of us find ourselves at points in life when we need the aid of another person to help understand and challenge us. I welcome individuals and couples who are interested in seeing whether psychoanalytically-oriented treatment is a good fit for them.
Many of us find ourselves at points in life when we need the aid of another person to help understand and challenge us. I welcome individuals and couples who are interested in seeing whether psychoanalytically-oriented treatment is a good fit for them.
I typically work with patients who may struggle with personality disorders, substance abuse, trauma, violence, aggression, anger, psychosis, and mood or relational issues.
It can be hard to feel your best when everything around you seems chaotic, uncontrollable, or scary. That’s where therapy can help. If you are someone who struggles with anger management, aggression, anxiety, psychosis, identity, or attachment, we may be a good fit. I am a pre-licensed mental health clinician with experience in a variety of training settings.
I typically work with patients who may struggle with personality disorders, substance abuse, trauma, violence, aggression, anger, psychosis, and mood or relational issues.
It can be hard to feel your best when everything around you seems chaotic, uncontrollable, or scary. That’s where therapy can help. If you are someone who struggles with anger management, aggression, anxiety, psychosis, identity, or attachment, we may be a good fit. I am a pre-licensed mental health clinician with experience in a variety of training settings.
Relationships are the heart of all meaningful change. Whether you are coming to therapy because you feel lost, demoralized, or moved to deepen your self-awareness, being authentically understood is crucial to healing. In my practice, I strive to create an accepting atmosphere in which you feel comfortable thoroughly exploring the concerns in your life. Together, we can understand how the relationship we build in our work is both a microcosm of your emotional dynamics, as well as a vehicle for surprise, change, and growth.
Relationships are the heart of all meaningful change. Whether you are coming to therapy because you feel lost, demoralized, or moved to deepen your self-awareness, being authentically understood is crucial to healing. In my practice, I strive to create an accepting atmosphere in which you feel comfortable thoroughly exploring the concerns in your life. Together, we can understand how the relationship we build in our work is both a microcosm of your emotional dynamics, as well as a vehicle for surprise, change, and growth.
I believe that growth and change are achieved by shedding light on those sides of ourselves that we are not in direct contact with. I hope to empower my clients by helping them become more self-attuned and use their intuition effectively in relationships and goals. I am passionate about addressing overwhelming anxiety and panic, paralyzing perfectionism or procrastination, intense sadness or anger, unhealthy habits, illness or somatic symptoms, recurring relationship problems, and identity concerns. I rely on classical, relational, play, and bodymind psychodynamic approaches and am a major proponent of in-person psychotherapy.
I believe that growth and change are achieved by shedding light on those sides of ourselves that we are not in direct contact with. I hope to empower my clients by helping them become more self-attuned and use their intuition effectively in relationships and goals. I am passionate about addressing overwhelming anxiety and panic, paralyzing perfectionism or procrastination, intense sadness or anger, unhealthy habits, illness or somatic symptoms, recurring relationship problems, and identity concerns. I rely on classical, relational, play, and bodymind psychodynamic approaches and am a major proponent of in-person psychotherapy.
I work with individuals at all stages of recovery who are seeking more than symptom relief or behavioral change. Whether you are early in recovery or further along and wanting greater depth, I offer a grounded, relational space to explore how early patterns shaped your ways of coping, relating, and understanding yourself. Informed by NARM, my work focuses on supporting a sense of safety, agency, and present-moment awareness while gently reconnecting with your innate vitality and capacity for choice. I view recovery as a process of remembering who you are beneath survival strategies—an ongoing movement toward a more fully lived life.
I work with individuals at all stages of recovery who are seeking more than symptom relief or behavioral change. Whether you are early in recovery or further along and wanting greater depth, I offer a grounded, relational space to explore how early patterns shaped your ways of coping, relating, and understanding yourself. Informed by NARM, my work focuses on supporting a sense of safety, agency, and present-moment awareness while gently reconnecting with your innate vitality and capacity for choice. I view recovery as a process of remembering who you are beneath survival strategies—an ongoing movement toward a more fully lived life.
Thank you for your interest in my services. Choosing an appropriate therapist is often experienced as a daunting task. I appreciate how difficult initiating the psychotherapy process can be. I am committed to establishing an open and collaborative therapeutic relationship with you, and offer a safe, nonjudgmental, supportive environment for growth and change. I work with individuals and couples to find solutions to a wide range of life challenges and to change the pattern that no longer works. As a psychotherapist, I recognize that each course of treatment is subjective and unique.
Thank you for your interest in my services. Choosing an appropriate therapist is often experienced as a daunting task. I appreciate how difficult initiating the psychotherapy process can be. I am committed to establishing an open and collaborative therapeutic relationship with you, and offer a safe, nonjudgmental, supportive environment for growth and change. I work with individuals and couples to find solutions to a wide range of life challenges and to change the pattern that no longer works. As a psychotherapist, I recognize that each course of treatment is subjective and unique.
I work with individuals, couples, and polycules navigating complex trauma, anxiety, depression, identity, and relationship concerns, including longstanding patterns often associated with dissociation and personality disorders.
Much of our work focuses on patterns shaped by early attachment, lived experience, and unspoken dynamics that continue to influence how you relate to yourself and others. We'll pay close attention to what unfolds between us in the room, including moments of connection, rupture, and repair, as these experiences often hold important pathways toward healing.
I work with individuals, couples, and polycules navigating complex trauma, anxiety, depression, identity, and relationship concerns, including longstanding patterns often associated with dissociation and personality disorders.
Much of our work focuses on patterns shaped by early attachment, lived experience, and unspoken dynamics that continue to influence how you relate to yourself and others. We'll pay close attention to what unfolds between us in the room, including moments of connection, rupture, and repair, as these experiences often hold important pathways toward healing.
You might be feeling trapped, confused, or disoriented. You might be looking for some way out of a place that you are unsure of how you got there. You might be thinking why is it like this or why am I like this? These questions and conditions may feel lonely and you are looking for someone to talk to who will just get it. I'm here to help.
You might be feeling trapped, confused, or disoriented. You might be looking for some way out of a place that you are unsure of how you got there. You might be thinking why is it like this or why am I like this? These questions and conditions may feel lonely and you are looking for someone to talk to who will just get it. I'm here to help.
Hello and welcome! I’m Chris (she/they/them), a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I enjoy working with adults and young adults who are struggling with persistent patterns of thinking, behavior, or relationship patterns that they’ve been unable to shift. I have a particular affinity for helping professionals and creative individuals. As a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, I’ve had a strong passion for supporting folx from this community throughout my career.
Hello and welcome! I’m Chris (she/they/them), a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I enjoy working with adults and young adults who are struggling with persistent patterns of thinking, behavior, or relationship patterns that they’ve been unable to shift. I have a particular affinity for helping professionals and creative individuals. As a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, I’ve had a strong passion for supporting folx from this community throughout my career.
You’re looking for clarity. Maybe you’ve been referred for ADHD testing, received conflicting diagnoses from treatment providers, or feel stuck despite treatment. You want more than a symptom checklist. You want to understand how your cognitive, emotional, and relational patterns fit together. You’re seeking a careful, research-grounded assessment that provides a clear diagnosis and concrete next steps so you and your treatment team can move forward with confidence.
You’re looking for clarity. Maybe you’ve been referred for ADHD testing, received conflicting diagnoses from treatment providers, or feel stuck despite treatment. You want more than a symptom checklist. You want to understand how your cognitive, emotional, and relational patterns fit together. You’re seeking a careful, research-grounded assessment that provides a clear diagnosis and concrete next steps so you and your treatment team can move forward with confidence.
I know starting therapy can feel like a big step, so my goal is to make your first session comfortable and purposeful. My style is direct yet compassionate, helping you challenge unhelpful thoughts while building healthier ways to cope. Sessions are active and engaging — I may use a whiteboard to map ideas, share handouts, or bring in videos and book discussions to make concepts practical. Clients describe my approach as structured yet down-to-earth, with space for both meaningful work and moments of humor.
I know starting therapy can feel like a big step, so my goal is to make your first session comfortable and purposeful. My style is direct yet compassionate, helping you challenge unhelpful thoughts while building healthier ways to cope. Sessions are active and engaging — I may use a whiteboard to map ideas, share handouts, or bring in videos and book discussions to make concepts practical. Clients describe my approach as structured yet down-to-earth, with space for both meaningful work and moments of humor.
I can help with: treatment resistant depression, complex trauma, attachment difficulties, low self compassion, and personality disorders.
I work with thoughtful, self-aware adults who have tried therapy before and still feel stuck. Many understand themselves intellectually, yet continue to struggle with loneliness, disconnection, or harsh self-criticism. They may notice patterns of self-isolation or difficulty sustaining closeness, and feel frustrated that insight alone hasn’t led to lasting change.
I can help with: treatment resistant depression, complex trauma, attachment difficulties, low self compassion, and personality disorders.
I work with thoughtful, self-aware adults who have tried therapy before and still feel stuck. Many understand themselves intellectually, yet continue to struggle with loneliness, disconnection, or harsh self-criticism. They may notice patterns of self-isolation or difficulty sustaining closeness, and feel frustrated that insight alone hasn’t led to lasting change.
I want you to experience happiness and fulfillment in life. My goal as a therapist is to co-create a supportive and understanding space where we can explore what’s troubling you and holding you back. With warmth and encouragement, I am here to help you tap into your inner strengths and create meaningful change, so you can move forward with confidence toward a life that feels true to you. "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. " - Marie Curie
I want you to experience happiness and fulfillment in life. My goal as a therapist is to co-create a supportive and understanding space where we can explore what’s troubling you and holding you back. With warmth and encouragement, I am here to help you tap into your inner strengths and create meaningful change, so you can move forward with confidence toward a life that feels true to you. "Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. " - Marie Curie
If you feel stuck, trapped, and unheard, I want to help you through working together to identify your goals and what needs to change. Therapy can be used to process what you are experiencing in a nonjudgmental environment.
You deserve to feel seen and valued as you are. Therapy can help develop attachment security and a sense of comfort to be able to explore deeper parts of yourself with someone else.
During our work together, through sharing your interests and preferences, you set the pace of your healing. This creates and develops your personal agency and assertiveness even outside of the therapy space.
If you feel stuck, trapped, and unheard, I want to help you through working together to identify your goals and what needs to change. Therapy can be used to process what you are experiencing in a nonjudgmental environment.
You deserve to feel seen and valued as you are. Therapy can help develop attachment security and a sense of comfort to be able to explore deeper parts of yourself with someone else.
During our work together, through sharing your interests and preferences, you set the pace of your healing. This creates and develops your personal agency and assertiveness even outside of the therapy space.
The unique experiences, expectations, and traits of each person require an individualized approach to psychotherapy. As I work with an individual my approach may include elements of modern psychoanalysis, cognitive behavior therapy, family therapy, and client centered counseling. I utilize recent research in neuro-psychology to inform the various theories of psychotherapy. Faculty members, students, and creative individuals, as well as foreign nationals and first and second generation Americans are groups with whom I have significant interest and experience. A special interest of mine is facilitating the growth of individuals who want to change long term problems with self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, anxiety and depression.
The unique experiences, expectations, and traits of each person require an individualized approach to psychotherapy. As I work with an individual my approach may include elements of modern psychoanalysis, cognitive behavior therapy, family therapy, and client centered counseling. I utilize recent research in neuro-psychology to inform the various theories of psychotherapy. Faculty members, students, and creative individuals, as well as foreign nationals and first and second generation Americans are groups with whom I have significant interest and experience. A special interest of mine is facilitating the growth of individuals who want to change long term problems with self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, anxiety and depression.
Are you often called “too much?” Do you have the feeling that others don’t fully understand you, your emotions, or your potential? Are you finding challenges in identifying with or connecting to your inner self, or even seeing its full form? You want to stop just surviving your weeks and start feeling present in your own life. You need a space where you don't have to be the strong one—a place to unpack the burnout and perfectionism that keep you stuck. Your goal isn't just to "fix" a problem; it’s to reclaim your agency, set boundaries without guilt, and finally feel at home in your mind.
Are you often called “too much?” Do you have the feeling that others don’t fully understand you, your emotions, or your potential? Are you finding challenges in identifying with or connecting to your inner self, or even seeing its full form? You want to stop just surviving your weeks and start feeling present in your own life. You need a space where you don't have to be the strong one—a place to unpack the burnout and perfectionism that keep you stuck. Your goal isn't just to "fix" a problem; it’s to reclaim your agency, set boundaries without guilt, and finally feel at home in your mind.
These might include people with personality disorders, self-harm, ADHD, PTSD, anger issues, anxiety, and/or depression.
My specialty is an evidence-based therapy called DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). This approach focuses on the present moment and the implementation of skills to improve quality of life. DBT is structured and intensive, requiring between 1-2 hours of therapy-related activities per week.
These might include people with personality disorders, self-harm, ADHD, PTSD, anger issues, anxiety, and/or depression.
My specialty is an evidence-based therapy called DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). This approach focuses on the present moment and the implementation of skills to improve quality of life. DBT is structured and intensive, requiring between 1-2 hours of therapy-related activities per week.
I try to provide a therapeutic relationship that meets your unique needs. My goal is to allow the individual to truly explore themselves without the fear of being judged. I value meeting people "where they are" as this is your personal journey. I find this helps us remain open, and create a path to improving relationships.
I try to provide a therapeutic relationship that meets your unique needs. My goal is to allow the individual to truly explore themselves without the fear of being judged. I value meeting people "where they are" as this is your personal journey. I find this helps us remain open, and create a path to improving relationships.
See more therapy options for Chicago
Nearby Personality Disorders Therapists Searches for Chicago
- Berwyn
- Cicero
- Elmwood Park
- Forest Park
- Lakeview
- Lincoln Park
- Lincolnwood
- Norridge
- North Riverside
- Oak Lawn
- Oak Park
- River Forest
Personality Disorders Therapists
What are the common treatment options for personality disorders?
Personality disorders are typically treated with psychotherapy, sometimes in conjunction with medication. Therapy can help people with personality disorders develop skills to tolerate difficult emotions, navigate interpersonal relationships, and solidify their sense of self. Medications can treat symptoms that co-occur with the disorder, such as depression, anger, aggression, and impulsivity.
When to seek treatment for personality disorders?
Even though treatment for personality disorders can be an uphill battle, it’s best to seek help if you suspect that you or a loved one is struggling with one, because personality disorders can create substantial problems in life. Symptoms depend on the specific disorder, but overall signs of personality disorders include consistent difficulty maintaining close relationships, dramatic variations in self-esteem, and an unstable sense of identity.
How long does therapy take for personality disorders?
The timeline for treating personality disorders isn’t as clear-cut as it is for other disorders. Change can be difficult, taking from around one year to five, 10, or more. The key is finding a therapist who has extensive experience treating the relevant disorder. For example, a psychologist who specializes in narcissistic personality disorder has specific communication strategies that allow them to sustain the relationship and be more effective with narcissistic patients.
Can therapy help people with personality disorders?
Research suggests that for those who are motivated to address concerns or interpersonal conflict related to a personality disorder, therapy is far more effective than no treatment, and that most people in therapy see improvements. However, since personality disorders involve entrenched elements of identity, they are less responsive to treatment than are other mental health conditions. Finding an expert who has extensive experience working with a given personality disorder is one factor that increases the likelihood of successful treatment.