Transgender Therapists in Darien, IL

Helene Jacques is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor who has been in practice since 2000. She sees adolescents and adults for individual and family therapy. Helene has extensive experience working with clients dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, depression, anxiety, grief and loss, adoption concerns, relationship problems, stress management, medical and health concerns, and post-abortion issues. Helene was trained in an eclectic model of therapy and relies on this knowledge base to select effective treatment approaches for each client or family.

Experiencing unexplained sources of anxiety, and not understanding out own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can be really scary. Not being able to understand or effectively communicate with your child can be even scarier. If you are an overwhelmed parent of a child or adolescent who is experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, depression, anger, explosive emotion, isolation, self-harm, or identity confusion, or you yourself are struggling to understand your own thoughts, feelings, or sexual/gender identity, I may be the right fit for you.

Being a culturally competent therapist is extremely important to me. As the daughter of immigrants, this experience has helped me to get in touch with my own beliefs and value systems. Therefore, I am able to help clients connect to their own values and take committed action steps in service of those values. I work primarily with adults and specialize in working with emerging adults who may be undergoing life transitions. I also have experience working with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief and loss, severe or chronic mental illness and trauma.

I have over twenty years of social work experience. I have worked in foster care and adoption, in a psychiatric hospital and am currently working in private practice. My patients include children, adolescents, adults and couples. I treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief issues, conflict resolution, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, OCD, addictions, issues related to divorce and family/marital conflicts. I use a variety of treatment modalities based on the individual needs of the patient. My therapeutic approach is a non-judgmental blending of eastern and western philosophies thereby helping patients develop acceptance and develop better coping strategies to deal with their challenges.

Are you experiencing stress, sadness, anxiety, or overwhelming feelings? I know how to help you. I help support individuals and families find clarity, direction, and reach solutions while decreasing stress. Entering the process of therapy can be daunting and intimidating, but my goal is to make it comfortable for everyone. Creating a strong rapport/ therapeutic alliance is a priority of mine.

I work best with clients that desire a laid back, collaborative approach. Maybe you have goals in mind or need to process out loud to figure them out. My style is direct and casual, balanced with non-judgment and respect for your autonomy to support your authentic exploration and work towards connection, change, and healing. I have extensive experience with adolescents/young adults (ages 14-30), including queer, trans and nonbinary folks; parents; and adults navigating the general challenges of being a modern human in 2023.

If you are feeling sad, anxious, and alone,therapy can end the loneliness and create a space to explore and eliminate the underlying fears. Together we may identify the parts of you that are isolated and need understanding and compassion. I believe that therapy is a safe place to address pain and confusion while creating everlasting change in your innermost self. I offer a respectful and collaborative approach to dealing with lifes's difficult moments.

Trauma can make you feel like someone has robbed you of your innocence, purpose, sense of belonging, your voice, and ability to feel safe in your own body. You might be searching for a sense of control, but feeling completely powerless. You escape into activities or relationships in order to feel anything at all and other times to make the feelings stop all together. You may have developed parts of yourself in order to survive, but what would life look like if you could shed old scripts and truly live a life that’s worth living?

When reaching out can feel intimidating and difficult, the therapists at Authentic Growth Wellness Group will provide you with an approachable and comfortable experience. We get how hard it can be to begin and engage in this endeavor, and, therefore, we possess a deep empathy and enriched understanding from which we can professionally, ethically, and effectively support our clients initiate and engage in a trajectory of healing from which they will courageously grow.

As human beings we learn, develop meaning, and create a sense of purpose through each other and the relationships we form. In the same spirit I believe the therapeutic process is driven by the relationship formed between the client and the therapist. This is why my approach in therapy is guided by the question - "How can I provide a relationship which this person may use for their personal growth?" I strive to create an empathic, nonjudgmental atmosphere where you feel safe and empowered to work toward personal growth and creating lasting change; forming trust and leaning toward vulnerability.