Trauma Focused Therapists in Crystal Lake, IL

I have been working in the field for over 30 years in a variety of settings including inpatient, partial programs and outpatient private practice. I work with adolescents and adults in individual, marital, family and group counseling. My husband and I started our own group practice in 2004. I work primarily with individuals who are desiring freedom from trauma: past and present; personal and collective. I lead and facilitated trauma-focused therapy story groups, and consultation story groups for individuals with advanced training in narrative story engagement. I also do intensive trainings in Narrative Story work.

My current philosophy is that if PTSD is defined as past trauma experienced in the present via different symptoms, then every clinical presentation is one of trauma. Trauma focused therapists, such as myself, look at every client as unique and that they do not (and never have) fit into the boxes that other therapists have wanted them to fit into. Trauma therapists look at your past to better understand where your symptoms come from and how to resolve them. You will learn what you avoid and how you avoid it. Our hope is that you will work with us so that you can develop a more courageous attitude and face your unfinished business.

Jessica Connell, LPC, received her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace College in 2020. She has expertise in trauma focused therapy and has completed post graduate work and training in EMDR trauma informed therapy. Jessica has experience working in private practice and in mental health/addiction residential treatment settings. Jessica is a graduate of Grace College with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has additional specialized training in EMDR therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.

I am a licensed clinical counselor with 5 years of clinical counseling experience working with individuals and couples. I focus on issues such as substance use, addiction, LGBTQIA+ issues, and life transitions. I also address career concerns, stress over life decisions, relationships, boundaries, and healthy habits for overall wellness. I draw from motivational interviewing, strength-based, trauma-focused solution-focused brief (SFBT), and psychodynamic modalities. I believe that everyone has the capacity to become the force of change they want to be.

My ideal clients are not perfect. My ideal clients are humans with challenges and strengths of all kinds. My ideal clients are those in need of softness and compassion as well as tough love and confrontation. I can best support adolescent and adult clients that live with depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum issues, identity/purpose challenges, and grief. My clients want to feel freedom from suffering. My clients want to learn how to navigate communication and relationships. My clients want to feel joy, to have hope, and to appreciate and love themselves.

“Healing takes time and asking for help is a courageous step” (Mariska Hargitay). You don’t have to heal alone, engaging in therapy for you and your child is the first step in helping you both heal. Therapy can be a tool used to help you and your child learn skills to make the world feel safer and happier. Please allow me to help you and your child live a more peaceful and calm life. I specialize in working with children and teens who have ASD, sensory processing issues, behavioral issues, anxiety, and ADHD. I also involve parents in the therapy process, as parents play a vital role in helping their children grow.

Welcome! My name is Stephanie Sanchez and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience working with individuals and family members struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma related issues. I have cultivated a career working with children, teens, and adults and I strive in anyway possible to help achieve therapy goals so that you or family member can cultivate a healthy and prosperous self.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

A trusting foundation with your therapist is the beginning to successful therapy. Our life experiences, exposure to trauma, and current events often impact behaviors and responses to these events, which can lead to the feeling of being misunderstood or confused. These issues often impact relationships, health, work, and self-esteem. A trusting collaboration with clients provides empowerment into gaining insight and self-awareness. My therapy style provides helpful guidance when clients are searching for improvements to their lives.

Committed to assisting each individual as they build on their existing strengths to live their best life possible. The approach is to meet the clients where they are and help create a safe, nonjudgmental space where they can process and heal. Working with each client(s) to determine the best therapeutic approach. Experienced working with play therapy, anxiety, depression, ADHD, LGBTQ+ Community Members, abuse, trauma, grief, life transitions, family relational problems, BPD, and other life experiences and diagnosis. -we do not accept Medicaid or Medicare at this time-

Hello! I am a trauma-informed therapist who is fluent in Spanish and an ally to the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. I am certified in Crisis Intervention and am drawn to clients who can relate to domestic violence, human trafficking, depression, anxiety, ADHD, life transitions, and complex trauma. I also can help if you have trouble with sleep, motivation, phobias or stress. I see children, adolescents, adults, and families. Even if you are not sure what you want from therapy or how to get there, I will meet you where you are at in your journey, and together we will figure out a plan for you to live your best, most fulfilled life!

If you are reading this you have taken your first step toward positive change! For some, the thought of therapy can be intimidating. However, finding the "right fit" in a client/therapist relationship is essential to sharing your feelings and overcoming your fears. In a safe, positive environment you can accomplish your goals and move towards a better, happier life. I promote an atmosphere of exceptance, no matter what you are experiencing....anxiety, depression, stress over life transitions, fear or shame, sharing traumatic events, or relationship issues. You deserve the best life possible!

We all have a story and this story guides us. I believe that life is a journey with good and bad moments. Coping with these challenges could be difficult; why do you have to go through it alone? I believe therapy is a place where you truly find yourself and grow as person. I believe it takes great courage, self insight, and strength to reach out for help. Often when we are adjusting to new life circumstances, we don't realize the importance of acceptance. Therapy is a great place to process, explore and adapt to these changes. In therapy, we will work together to identify your needs and find the best of you.

Are you in need of more support within your life? Are you ready to tackle daily life stressors or underlying and suppressed traumas that are bubbling up to the surface? Do you feel disconnected from yourself, your body, your emotions? Are you ready to heal? I am ready to support you on your journey to Wholeness! Let us embrace the journey together!

We all experience times where we feel overwhelmed, stuck, struggle with a negative mindset, and need guidance to find new ways to cope. I encourage my clients to look at therapy as a consistent “check-up” purposefully focusing on both their mental health and overall well-being. I am an active and engaged therapist that will work with you to provide compassionate guidance, unconditional support and encouragement. I can treat teens as young as age 13, adults, and couples struggling with a vast number of issues. Let's work together to pave your new path to thriving instead of surviving one step at a time.

Life isn't always in our control (and no, I'm not a fan of that either). In therapy, we can learn to manage the things within our control - so that we are better equipped to contend with life’s inevitable ups and downs. Whether you're experiencing a big transition, stress from everyday life, a personal loss, or chronic issues - we can work together to make things easier. I have experience working with individuals with a variety of concerns & mental/physical health issues. I strive to make everyone - of any body shape/size, sexuality, gender, race, religion, or disability - comfortable in the therapy room (and in their own skins).

Reaching out for help in our most vulnerable moments can be overwhelming and scary. Sometimes our self talk convinces us that we should figure it out on our own, or that our problems aren’t as bad as they could be - and we find ourselves hesitant to make that next step. I will meet your bravery and vulnerability with compassion, curiosity, feeling, and a bit of humor. I want to center what matters to you, develop skills and abilities, and help you rediscover a fullness in being alive and in your body. My areas of experience include working with individuals of the LBGTQ+, and navigating barriers to receiving gender affirming care.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience helping people cope with family and social issues. I work with many concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, ADHD, stress management, school-related matters, and career challenges. The modalities I use include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Strength-based Therapy. I believe in providing a safe space for clients to be vulnerable and explore solutions to complex concerns and issues.

I'm a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern seeing clients in the McHenry County area while I complete my masters program in May of 2024. As a budding clinician, I'm passionate about meeting clients where they are and walking with them throughout their journey towards a more resilient future using evidence-based modalities.