Therapists in Chicago, IL

Thank you for reaching out. I offer a positive and constructive approach, helping you identify and understand conflicts while gaining insight into long standing dynamics that can be hard to break. When working together we can assess your needs, give you an outlet and help you achieve your goals. As a practitioner for over 20 years, I've helped clients of every age make progress, be happier and less anxious and stressed.

I am passionate about working with individuals who are dedicating time to their personal development and addressing their challenges. My ideal clients are open to growth and are interested in learning more about themselves. They are ready to confront challenges and learn from the past to improve their futures, and they are committed to the therapy process just as much as I am. Whether we are using EMDR to address trauma or setting goals related to substance use, my ideal clients are ready to work hard to heal, learn, and grow.

I am a licensed clinical neuropsychologist specializing in neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic evaluations and treatment. I work with adolescents and adults who present with cognitive changes in the context of neurological, medical, and psychiatric conditions. Areas of clinical interest include dementia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, autoimmune disorders, and psychiatric disorders.

You are seeking a safe space to share your unfiltered emotions, thoughts, and desires. You are seeking an unbiased perspective to your situation and issues. You may yearn for human connection, compassion, and unrelenting support in your journey. You value consistency. You want to heal trauma from the past and use this information to cope with the unpredictable future.

When a client comes to me for psychotherapy the first goal is to fully understand the nature of their discontent in the context of a warm, open, nonjudgmental space. We work together to create a vision of what it will look like when the client is feeling more content, and then within the therapeutic relationship move toward change that will realize the client's vision. I am a combination of warm, supportive, directive, interpretive, and reflective. The therapy may be short term or long term, and may be individual or with significant others (family or partner).

Each of us arrive into therapy for different reasons - seeking support, safety, connection, exploration, or change. Whatever the reason, when we enter therapy, we bring our whole self with us – body, mind, and spirit. Within my work, I center this holistic connection while expanding awareness, reclaiming safety and power, exploring purpose, and redefining our relationships to ourselves, others, and the world around us. As a dance/movement therapist and licensed counselor, my approach merges verbal processing and creative/body-based techniques.

Brad J Novak is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Illinois and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Indiana. In addition to his own private practice, Brad recently joined SpringSource Psychological Center in Chicago, Illinois. Brad specializes in individual and group therapy for depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and eating disorders (binge eating disorder, bulimia, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, night eating syndrome), with adults, adolescents and families.

Achieving personal growth is a commitment of time and effort: change is hard work! That's why my style is warm, open, and direct. A sense of humor helps too. Whether you're interested in brief, solution-focused assistance or longer term work, I'll help you uncover the causes of your current challenges by examining how past experiences, thought patterns, or other issues prevent you from having a more fulfilling life. Everyone comes to therapy for unique reasons. I feel I've done my job when my clients can leave with a greater sense of satisfaction and self-confidence.

It is not uncommon for individuals to experience anxiety, depression, or feelings of inadequacy at some point in their lives. Due to our social environments, how we respond to these unwanted feelings varies from person to person. This can lead to interpersonal conflict, relationship issues, stress with life changes, social anxiety, and ineffective coping. At Astute Counseling, we strive to support and help navigate these challenges.

LET US TAKE THE FIRST STEP ON YOUR JOURNEY TOGETHER. Meeting with a therapist does not have to cause more anxiety and stress in your everyday life, it can help you overcome any mountain you may face. Let me be your partner to support you in moving forward. Life can be stressful and overwhelming, I aim to help ease that burden by teaching coping skills that easily translate into the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Creating a safe and welcoming place for everyone to come process and explore their thoughts.

I have extensive experience partnering with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. I have high interest in the areas of depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, sexual assault, life transitions, grief, disabilities, executive functioning, and relationships. I apply a strengths-based, holistic approach that tailors treatment to each individual’s particular needs. I am a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP), certified in Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), and practice cultural humility to cultivate a non-judgmental, safe space where the therapeutic relationship can continue to evolve & progress.

You might look for individual therapy because you experience obstacles that happen again and again; you are trying to figure out who you are and what you want in life. You might be looking for couples therapy because you feel disconnected from your partner or have difficulty communicating; you fight or have difficulty with being intimate. You might be looking for family therapy because you don’t know how to connect with your kids; there is conflict in your family and you don’t know how to resolve it. You might be a person of color, immigrant or second generation and struggle with issues mentioned above.

Now offering Telehealth! Are you unhappy in your life, or in your relationship with a partner, child, family member, or friend? Are you struggling with a challenging life transition, an unfulfilling job or with issues related to your personal identity? Are you feeling overwhelmed or stressed, or experiencing depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol problems? Are you are ready to make some positive changes in your life? Let me help you to reimagine and create the life that you want, to break out of old, negative patterns, and find peace, balance, meaning and value in your life.

Taking the first step to begin therapy can be a challenging one, and finding the right therapist is an important piece. I take a supportive, non-judgmental approach to therapy and start off by creating a safe space to allow a strong therapeutic relationship to form. I give my clients the space to describe their challenges and hardships. Along the way, I help clients develop coping skills as well as awareness into their patterns and behaviors, and systemic factors, in order to create positive changes in their lives. I support all parts of clients’ histories, inviting honest exploration into the complexities of their experiences.

As you embark on your journey, therapy can provide a safe and supportive space to explore, understand and challenge life experiences that shape our identities and perceptions of the world. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 6 years of experience providing therapy and other clinical services to individuals struggling with severe mental illness and addiction, I approach therapy from a holistic and multicultural perspective. As a Mexican and Filipino American woman, I draw on my personal experiences to better understand how cultural factors influence our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us.

Beyond fears and confusion is where your worth and happiness sits. As a teen or as an adult, your fears may cause you to feel judged, excluded, or hurt, closing yourself off to the world. It is my intention to guide you to a place where you are seen and understood, accepted and appreciated. Together, we can challenge harmful thought patterns and help you feel good about yourself and your life. I primarily work with adults and teenagers facing concerns such as managing stress, improving relationships, loneliness, self-esteem, anxiety, sadness and depression and will help you manage distress and maximize joy.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is foremost in creating a safe space for clients to explore issues, identify patterns of relating, resolve conflicts, find meaning and seek answers. I believe strongly that this relationship coupled with each client's unique history, needs and strengths will help serve as a guide to treatment. I have nearly 25 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults and families.

Marsha Ash is a former DFM student intern who counseled children, adolescence, and adults throughout her internship. Marsha has graduated with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is currently a NCC candidate. Marsha has previous experience in substance abuse counseling, servicing and providing support to families in need. Marsha is driven to help others achieve wellness, teaching positive coping skills, showing empathy, and helping find solutions to complex problems . Marsha theoretical approach is Cognitive Behavioral Techniques. Marsha is also familiar with Solution Focus Behavioral Therapy.