Therapists in Cook County, IL

Dr. Jennifer Stelter is a licensed clinical psychologist seasoned in treating depression and anxiety and specialized in treating eating disorders, trauma, substance abuse, and dementia. She has 20 years experience in the healthcare field and over a decade in the long-term care industry. Dr. Stelter approaches care holistically and is experienced in providing emotion process work, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and rational emotive therapy (RET). She also has significant training in the use of non-pharmacy tools in the treatment of various mental health issues.

Life’s challenges happen suddenly. Without warning it feels like you can’t navigate through with confidence and calm. Instead, you are plagued with worry, hesitation, anxiety, and depression. At times, life feels like a ticking time bomb, and you are desperately searching for an effective means to diffuse it. But your coping skills aren’t working well enough, or maybe they weren’t that healthy in the first place. How are you supposed to get comfortable with the challenges you are experiencing, let alone feel you are responding in a healthy way, when everything around you – maybe even your person – can be so unpredictable?

I help men aged 18-35 who are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or lonely. If you’re turning to alcohol or drugs, work, or other unhealthy outlets to “take your mind off things,” you don't have to navigate this struggle alone. I support men to address the issues impacting school, work, or relationships, leading to improved mood, social connections, and goal achievement.

BZA Behavioral Health is an inclusive, highly specialized group of clinicians dedicated to the emotional and behavioral wellness of the individuals and families we treat. We value the diversity & unique experiences of each person & it is our mission to have comprehensive & individualized types of treatment options to best match those personal needs. Services we offer include (but are not limited to) neuropsychological/psychological assessment, psychiatry, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, & art therapy. We work with clients of all ages to utilizing strength to cope with life's challenges.

I have over 25 years experience treating adults, families, adolescents, and couples. I specialize in depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders. I am a published author who has presented my research on group psychotherapy nationally and internationally. I am also a licensed massage therapist who practices mind/body work. As a past board member with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and a past member of APA's Task force on severe mental illness, I am an advocate for individuals and families who struggle with the stigma associated with these disorders. As a retired professor at Midwestern University.

I provide therapy for individuals and couples, specializing in relationship difficulties. My particular interest and expertise is working with people suffering from anxiety, depression and trauma. I use a psychoanalytic approach with an emphasis on genuine connection and empowerment. This is helpful to bring understanding and insight to past experiences, that may be impacting one's behavior, feelings and patterns, allowing them to remain stuck. I believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship and am deeply committed to a strong working alliance with each of my clients, resulting in effective treatment and authentic change.

I hold a Doctorate Degree and a license as a Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). I have extensive professional experience, training, & skill supporting children & adults with concerns including relationship & family conflict, trauma, autism, intellectual disabilities, behavior issues, ADHD, & parent coaching. I worked in residential, hospitals, private practice, & in-house counseling. I facilitated group & individual supervision, parenting education, couples, groups, family, & substance use therapy. I have taught counseling courses and developed training curriculum.

I am a psychotherapist who is interested in working with clients who are striving to become their authentic/best selves. The counseling process is one that looks the holistic needs of the individual (i.e. society, family, personal narrative/story) to promote personal growth and development. Therefore, I am a multicultural and gestalt therapist who is committed to the process of understanding and addressing societal issues that impact clients' emotional and psychological health. I work collaboratively with clients to connect to their authentic selves, step into their power, and set goals to achieve their desired holistic needs.

I am delighted you found me here on Psychology Today. My ideal client comes from many different walks of life - children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. My ideal client is looking for change and a therapist that is going to "shoot straight" with them and do more than just nod their head in agreement. My ideal client is looking for direction and change in their lives and wants a partner in change. I work with my ideal client on anxiety, major depression, trauma, couples counseling, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD), and substance abuse, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

Feeling like your life is on pause, while from the very first session together, my commitment is clear – you're not just a client; you're a co-pilot in this voyage towards self-healing. Here, your voice guides our compass, and your unique story shapes the course. Getting your child the support they need to thrive in life is possible. I’ve been helping young people and their parents navigate these complex issues for over two decades. It’s time to give your child their best chance at the future they deserve.

My ideal client comes from many walks of life. They are children, teenagers, and adults and present with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, relationship and family problems, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), school problems, and oppositional-defiant disorder. They all share a common need to be heard, empowered, and guided on the path of recovery. I provide evidence-based treatments tailored to the needs of my clients. I focus on strengths and capabilities rather than "illness."

I place a heavy emphasis on authenticity, vulnerability, and connection when it comes to mental health. I believe that if addiction is a disease of isolation, then the solution to that is connection, with oneself and others. In my work with clients, I believe in helping them to cultivate self-acceptance, which leads to an improved sense of self-worth and greater love for oneself. Additionally, I encourage clients to have compassion for themselves, while having an appreciation for the therapeutic process. I consider it my role to help others discover and become their true self, so that what’s on the inside matches the outside.

Shira Behal is a therapist with experience, who knows how to weave different approaches together to find the right one for you. Shira is someone who listens, and also educates and guides. Someone to help you reach your goals and grow into a life that matches your values. Someone ready to do the deep work, and stay with you through the long work. Shira is a therapist who knows that healing takes a balance between the intellect, the emotional mind, and the body.

"When life brings challenges that exceed your ability to cope, it might be the time to consider working with a competent, respectful, and understanding therapist. I believe in living life to the fullest extent possible, and sometimes that means peering into your past to understand how the solutions of yesterday transform to the problems of today. Whether your issue is substance abuse, unhealthy expression of anger, depression, anxiety, self esteem/body imagine or difficult relationships with others; counseling can be your first step towards a healthy way of living. Make that first step in your journey towards wellness.

All of us are striving to be true to ourselves and our loved ones around us. Feeling authentic and true to who we are can assist us in living life the way we would like to. Sometimes, our mood-related difficulties and our life experiences can get in the way our authenticity. You could be experiencing mood-related difficulties as a reaction to grief, trauma, depression, substance use, chronic illnesses, identity issues, cross-cultural issues, and relational difficulties, which I specialize in working with.

"The best predictor of human happiness is the quantity and quality of our relationships", Dr. Christine Carter. During the course of our lives relationships often go awry; at work, at home and with ourselves. I use my skills and 30+ years of experience to support and encourage clients to improve the quality of their lives and relationships. My style is warm, open and informal. I use humor, focus on strengths, employ insight, mindfulness and a variety of other techniques to help clients meet their goals and transform their lives.

I passionately and compassionately care for the emotional well-being and behavioral health of my individual, couple, family and group clients for over 20 years. I draw upon unique combinations of clinical principals and innovative methods to best support all people within our vastly diverse community. I draw upon my deep understanding of culture, age, gender, race, class, family structure, and the type of or the lack of a support system can have on most all situations. I always provide a totally non-judgmental, safe, and confidential space to help my clients deal with their problems, issues or crisis.

Hiram is skilled and specializes in working with teens and adults who suffers from substance abuse, trauma, depression , PTSD, anxiety and who are at risk of dropping out of school or ending up in the justice system. Hiram also specializes in working with individuals who need help with anger management. Hiram has 10 years of experience with working with ex-felons and individuals at risk of being the justice system. Hiram uses cognitive behavioral therapy for those individuals who have had a trauma in the lives. He has helped them make positive changes in their lives to get better outcomes.

I act as a facilitator of change for individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, various traumas, panic, grief/loss, stress, postpartum blues and depression, low self-esteem, and who are going through life transitions and have parenting challenges. I believe that human birthright is to experience joy in life. Individual journeys in healing and growth are the ways to achieve that.