Therapists in Chicago, IL

In our modern world, many of us recognize the need to take time to slow down and get in tune with ourselves and our relationships. I actively engage with clients in a reflective process to explore current life stressors, challenges, & behavioral patterns. A relational framework is utilized to help guide clients through an exploration of how current and past relationships influence their lives. Within the context of a safe and trusting therapeutic environment, I help clients to identify the steps needed to overcome challenges and promote positive change.

Are you finding that anxiety or stress is seeping into every corner of your life? Or, maybe you need a place to process daily hard moments? Therapy can be your place to steal some time back for yourself. Through processing and empowerment, my hope is that you are able to find more stability and support in your life. Let's start to advocate for the things you can change in your life, and actively work towards accepting the things that you can't.

Sinking, Surviving, Thriving, 3 pools of placement we can often find ourselves in. In life, we can at times feel the sinking reality of loss, grief, anxiety, or even depression and its impact on our functioning. Most of the time we are just getting by and surviving day to day just to give ourselves the opportunity to thrive. Whatever season you’re in, I am optimistic we can PIVOT in whatever direction you want to go. You know yourself best, and I am hopeful that between both of our expertise we can build and learn together! You have a story, let’s begin creating your narrative!

As an empathic clinician, I place importance on establishing a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment. I encourage a collaborative and authentic relationship in which my clients feel understood and supported. Because individuals are unique, I emphasize fully understanding each client and their specific concerns. My interventions are based on this understanding as well as my clients' preferences. I have lived and worked in several countries in Europe, South America and Africa and in my 20 years of practice have enjoyed working with individuals from diverse backgrounds on a wide range of concerns.

Do you feel like you’re hitting roadblocks that leave you stuck, disconnected, or out of sync with your most authentic self? I want to help you achieve the authenticity and connection you deserve. My goal is creating an affirming space where we can work together to not only identify barriers but push past them to realize your potential. Progress is not always linear, but healing and constructive change are possible. Therapy can be challenging and sometimes intense, but I hope you walk away from each session feeling hopeful and truly seen.

As a modern therapist, I provide culturally sensitive and thoughtful therapy to help individuals and couples. I understand how hard it can be to find a therapist that seems relatable or trustworthy. I work particularly well with individuals navigating trauma, relationships, and identity looking for a therapist that "gets it". This may be an overwhelming point in your life, but pursuing psychotherapy can be one of the most transformative experiences you can take to heal & grow.

I use a collaborative model, where sessions feel like two people having a conversation in my living room, versus a stereotypical doctor/patient interaction. I don't view your issues as coming from an abnormal psychopathology, but instead as a reaction to living in a stressful, complex, and contradictory world. I seek to understand your issues in the context of your unique experience rather than viewing you as having something wrong or being broken. My focus is on what you need from me....I take my lead from you.

Dr. Payne's experience in a variety of settings (community mental health, therapeutic day school, and corrections settings) has provided them with the opportunities to work with a wide variety of clients including children, adolescents, adults, and families. Dr. Payne’s specialties include working with a variety of symptoms and presentations including but not limited to: depression and other mood disorders, anxiety symptoms, relational difficulties, Autistic or otherwise neurodiverse clients, people who identify as LGBTQIAA2S+, and those who have experienced trauma.

Life is often unpredictable and can demand a level of fluidity that can be hard to navigate. In moments of change, difficulty, or hardship, we might find ourselves feeling uncertain and unsure of what to think, how to feel, attend to what we may need, or how to continue caring for ourselves. During these moments we may be seeking comfort, a new perspective, or a desire to be truly seen and understood. As your therapist, l will strive to understand your unique experiences - who you are based on what you have lived through, your view of self, and how you have been impacted by culture, society, and those around you.

I believe in the importance of building a therapeutic relationship and comfortable environment and therefore believe in being authentic and realistic with clients. I find this to be especially important in working with adolescents, young adults, families, and those who hav experienced trauma. I enjoy getting to understand their prospective and being able to advocate for them as well as to teach them to advocate for themselves and learn the skills that they need to communicate more effectively with others. I also believe that working with families and parents creates more success for everyone and therefore facilitate more change.

An ideal client for me, would be someone who hasn't felt heard in a long time. Perhaps someone who's been told "you should do this/that.." but never asked, "what do you want?". Maybe you've never had someone that you can just vent to, and for a therapist to keep things real while still offering professional guidance. An ideal client for me would be anyone who's feeling burnt out, hopeless, or lonely and is ready to regain control of their life. Scopes: Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Trauma, Personality/Mood Disorders, LGBTQ+ issues, Adjustment Disorder, Substance use

It takes courage to try something new when the old ways of navigating emotional landscapes and important relationships fail us and keep us stuck. None of us goes through life unharmed, so naturally we develop self-protective patterns to cope with the pain. Together, in a safe, warm, and judgment-free space, let us explore and process the underlying sources of your troubling symptoms and unhelpful behaviors at a pace that feels right for you. By going deep we will ensure long-term results. As you come to understand how your innermost self has had to adapt to the environment, the new ways of relating to oneself and others will emerge.

I am a thoughtful, warm, seasoned therapist who combines a relational approach to counseling with sound clinical judgement. I have had the privilege to work with clients who are courageous, hardworking, introspective, and some of the most wonderful people I have met. I am inspired by my clients daily. I greatly enjoy walking alongside individuals and partnering with them as they pursue wholeness. Most frequently, I see clients facing challenges with anxiety, trauma, and spiritual concerns.

I offer a holistic, individualized approach to therapy centered around the client-therapist relationship. My training is in relational psychodynamic psychotherapy; however, I use a variety of therapeutic interventions including art therapy, breathwork, yoga for trauma, meditation and mindfulness. I believe in empowering each individual through psychoeducation around sleep and diet, attachment styles, the mind-body connection, etc. I have extensive experience in working with trauma, including survivors of domestic violence, emotional & sexual abuse as well as complex childhood trauma. I see adults, adolescents and families.

While there are many quick-fix therapies in the world of mental health treatment, I believe that depth-based work is essential to creating change that truly sticks. As such, I view it as important for us to develop a strong, trusting & meaningful working relationship early in our work together & for us to use our relationship as the foundation for our successful work together. One of the gifts that therapy offers is an opportunity to be truly heard & supported. That foundation of support can be a powerful addition to one’s life when it is effectively developed between a client & therapist. Every client is different.

Sharing one's thoughts and feelings with a complete stranger can seem awkward and bizarre. My goal early on in therapy is to make the experience feel as comfortable as possible by creating a space without judgement and aiming to understand you as a whole person, rather than simply a set of symptoms or a diagnosis. I believe that we all have the capacity to overcome life's many obstacles and live closer to our fullest potential. Although therapy is ultimately very serious, I use humor whenever possible so it doesn't feel like you're talking to a robot.

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a lifelong mission of helping children and adults improve their social and emotional well-being. I am the co-founder of Formative Psychological Services, a family-run practice in Chicago. I have over 15 years of experience working in the schools and in private practice, and provide individual therapy, assessments, school consultation, and presentations.

My practice prioritizes women and femmes. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and relational from both a trauma informed and feminist orientation. I believe that we are all resilient, each of us has unique strengths. I work with my clients to build on these strengths, increase their insight, and develop the trust needed to achieve their goals. I do this by providing a safe space in which you may process your experiences, express your feelings, challenge unhealthy relationship patterns, and develop self-awareness.

I am well-trained, and an experienced, research-informed, solution-focused, multi-model therapist. I draw upon various truths, selecting what may be most helpful according to the needs of each client. I want clients to feel comfortable and informed. I will use metaphor and analogies as appropriate to bring insight and change. Specialties: therapy with trauma victims, adolescents, children, and families; couples with relationship issues; conditions such as mood disorders, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, complicated grief/loss, PTSD, stress, and life/job transition issues.