Trauma Focused Therapists in Chicago, IL

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Board Certified Registered Art Therapist, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. I've had the privilege to work in various settings such as community work with grief and loss, adult inpatient substance use treatment, adolescent & young adult residential, and therapeutic day school setting. I have experience working with a wide range of client concerns such as emotional dysregulation, interpersonal skills, distress tolerance, mindfulness, anxiety/depression, identity development, life transitions, trauma, gender identity, LGBTQIA+ issues, as well as grounding & coping skill building.

At different points in our lives, the distance between “just being alive” and “thriving” can seem far too great. My role is to be an active collaborator on your journey to inhabit your own life and reclaim your unique aliveness. I offer a variety of therapeutic methods that help you improve your quality of life, connect with yourself, your meaningful relationships, and your own internal sense of purpose and resilience.

Using an eclectic psychotherapy approach to address unique client needs, Inna helps clients and their families overcome impulsive, self-destructive behaviors. Her strategies enable people to better manage anger, cope with depression and anxiety, overcome addiction, promote personal growth, and exude higher levels of self-esteem while living happier, more successful lives. Inna integrates cultural fluency, her diverse understanding of cultural intelligence and interpersonal communications in multiple languages allows her to conquer barriers associated with cross-cultural differences.

I believe that therapy is about creating a compassionate, genuine, and safe space for clients to discover their strengths and develop personal insight about their patterns and behaviors. Together, we can explore the different ways to help you achieve your therapeutic goals. I approach therapy through a holistic, person-centered lens while also integrating evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy.

Making the decision to come to therapy is intimidating. It can be hard to prioritize mental health and scary to be open in sharing with another person. I understand these challenges and I am ready to meet you where you are at. With my big heart, sharp intellect, and lighthearted demeanor, I am ready to provide the support you need to cope with and overcome life’s challenges. If you are experiencing anxiety, struggling with feeling sad or depressed, or are behaving in ways you or others find unacceptable, I am here to help. When you work with me, I will be myself, which most people describe as kind, fun, and empathic.

I am passionate about building trust & providing a safe & non-judgmental environment, in which I create a space for you to feel heard & understood. I hope to help empower you to take an active role in creating positive change. I strive to help you feel confident in the process & maintain your growth in order to utilize what you have gained in therapy in your daily life. I enjoy working with clients of all ages, backgrounds, & presenting problems. *I'M CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS.

Therapy transformed my life when I was referred to a counselor at my high school years ago. Since then, I have wanted to provide this type of support to others, and to serve as a guide for people through difficult times in life. I aspire to help my clients tap into their own inner strengths, so they can ultimately live more freely and fully. I take a client-centered approach, and help my clients identify their own goals for themselves.

For over the past 20 years, I have enjoyed assisting in putting together the pieces of my client's puzzles. I strive in putting the needs of my clients 1st! Focusing on evidenced based treatments; my advanced trainings have equipped me to use therapeutic interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma focused therapy, child-parent psychotherapy and many more. I have an extensive background in treating mood disorders, behavioral modifications, emotional dysregulation,PTSD and other disturbances. I tailor my practice to uphold the confidentiality of my clients and I strive to give my clients the best service possible!!!!

I believe in striving to meet clients wherever they are along their journey and working together to create a treatment plan that utilizes a holistic therapeutic approach. Together, we will tailor your care to meet your specific needs and address your concerns. My background in trauma-focused therapy allows me to take proven techniques from this branch of therapy and apply them across the board to each client’s unique needs, whether trauma related or not.

Do you struggle with setting boundaries or prioritizing your needs in relationships? Do feelings of guilt or shame keep you from being vulnerable? Do you ever find yourself feeling anxious or depressed but can’t understand why? Trauma can often play a role in how we think, feel, and act. As a trauma-focused therapist I have a thorough understanding of not only the impact trauma can have on a person’s life but also a person’s capacity to heal from trauma. I practice within a relational approach to therapy based on the mutuality, respect, and collaboration within the therapeutic relationship.

As a first-generation Asian immigrant myself, I dedicate my practice to Asian, multicultural individuals, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized communities. I am passionate about working with individuals from different cultural backgrounds, exploring how complex identities and unique personal experiences have shaped us into who we are. I specialize in addressing and healing from: anxiety, complex trauma, relationship issues, pregnancy/prenatal/postpartum issues, stress, cultural identity, cultural/intergenerational conflicts, family conflicts, grief, and other issues.

I’m passionate about working with individuals to address issues such as emotional regulation, complex trauma, self-esteem issues, intergenerational conflicts, and many other issues. Partially because of my own cultural background, I work mostly with different generations of Asian immigrants, multicultural individuals, and other marginalized communities. If you are having trouble managing the stressors and challenges in life, or if you have had difficult life experiences that still affect your emotional well-being today, I’m here to support you to break through the emotional barriers and re-discover your potential and strength.

I enjoy working with adults and teens who need help coping with life stressors. I have worked 20+ years as a therapist in Chicago. I see individuals, couples, families and groups. I see many adults who deal with Recovery Issues. I use creative modalities to help build on self awareness and growth. My focus now is on helping people find their inner resources to grow and become more of who they truly are. I am certified in EMDR Therapy and use Ego State Therapy in trauma-focused work. I am in training to be a NARM (NeuroAffective Relational Model) practitioner which helps people who suffered from early developmental trauma.

**NOT TAKING NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME** I graduated from Univ. of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelors in Psychology in 2009, and PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2021. My years of clinical and advocacy experience show a strong passion for working with under-served populations and families through a trauma focused lens. From residential, psychiatric to private practice settings, I have been able to specialize in LGBTQ community, grief counseling, anxiety disorders, play therapy, life transitions, and mindfulness.

Seeking therapy can be difficult and it takes strength and courage to take the first step. Sometimes it can feel like our thoughts and feelings take over us and it can become overwhelming. I am here to create a safe space to process your experiences, and I consider it a privilege to be able to take part in this journey with you. I am a bilingual Spanish speaking therapist who uses an integrative approach incorporating mindfulness, trauma focused -cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), solution-focused, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and strengths perspectives.

I am passionate about taking time to consider the overall well-being of my clients and strive to empower my clients to manage symptoms and live their fullest life possible. Let's talk about what goals you have in mind and how we can work toward those goals. Your therapy is your time - we can cater sessions to your needs and what feels most important to work on. I have helped clients reach positive outcomes using a mix of insight building, solution and strength focused interventions in practice.

Trilogy has been a pillar in the mental health community since 1971 and is proud to announce the opening of two new locations specializing in therapy for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Our experienced therapists offer a safe, supportive environment and evidence based treatments such as Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), First Episode Psychosis, Play- and Expressive-Based Therapies. Trilogy is trauma focused and a LGBTQ+ affirming organization. Find out more at our website http://tts.trilogyinc.org/

Hello! My name is Briena Wyckstandt, and I am a licensed clinical social worker located in Illinois. I have spent most of my career working with children, parents, and families who have experienced abuse, generational hardships, and trauma. I am trained in EMDR therapy, sand tray therapy, and trauma-focused CBT. My current experiences include a vast array of ages, situations, and life changes. My goal for all clients is to be part of obtaining your goals. I look forward to being there to applaud all of your successes!

Offering Video Telehealth Sessions. Are you having trouble communicating effectively with your partner? We work with you and your partner in the creation of a safe, collaborative space to address the roadblocks interfering with your relationship. Together we explore new, effective ways to work through familiar tensions, strengthen intimacy and communication, and create a path toward revitalizing your relationship. Our therapists provide a platform to practice new relationship skills, gain a greater sense of self-acceptance and self-awareness as you begin to eliminate communication patterns interfering with trust and intimacy.

I am a licensed clinical social worker and received my BSW from Central Michigan University and my MSW from the University of Michigan, where I specialized in mental health and interpersonal practice. My experience has primarily been school-based, working with immigrant and refugee students and their families in Detroit and now Chicago. During my school based experience I also serviced students with disabilities and their families.