Therapists in Deerfield, IL

Having spent 16 years in the counseling field helping people overcome their addictive disorders, I have developed an effective, outpatient approach which helps people resolve their addiction issues. Addictions include substance use disorders to drugs and alcohol, or process addictions such as gambling, sex addiction, or compulsive shopping. I use a combination of three types of therapies: Insight Oriented Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Internal Family Systems (IFS), as well as, CBT and DBT when appropriate. I work with adults, adolescents, and couples and also see family members helping them find wellness, while they encourage their loved ones to enter treatment.

I enjoy working collaboratively with individuals who are looking to make positive changes in their self-esteem, relationships, and effectiveness in the world. I look to help them understand the context in which their unhealthy behavior patterns emerged, and then use this understanding to make practical, lasting improvements. I tailor my therapeutic approach to each client based on their personality, needs, and goals. In my 30 years of practicing, I have seen the life-changing work that can be done by a well-matched therapist and client.

If anxiety has been limiting your ability to enjoy life, I can teach you to successfully manage your difficult thoughts and navigate situations that scare you. I approach each patient with warmth, flexibility, and gentle humor, specializing in solution-focused treatments including cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, mindfulness, and DBT. My ultimate goal is to help you develop the skills and understanding to both overcome your current difficulties and better deal with whatever life may throw at you. With successful treatment, you will be able to begin or resume activities that you never thought possible.

No matter what you do, you feel like you are never good enough. You are consumed with thoughts of food and shame about your body. You’ve tried everything to control your eating, but in the end feel like it is food that controls you. If this is you, know that you are not alone and you can find healing. If you are struggling with disordered eating, chronic dieting, body image, or an eating disorder, I can help you find acceptance and finally feel at home within your body. We will work together to explore your beliefs about food, your body, and yourself to uncover what’s not working and keeping you from what matters most to you.

Hi there! Thanks for taking the time to read my profile. I know there are many to choose from. If you ask anyone about me, they will tell you I don't beat around the bush. You are choosing therapy to make some changes and that is what I want to help you do! It is difficult but with the right guidance and support, you can take those steps to be happy and confident. It's hard, and takes courage, strength, and maybe a little humor along the way!

Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 15 years, working with families, in addition to, supporting children and adolescents with complex emotional, intellectual and behavioral needs, Allison has extensive experience working with a broad range of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, socialization issues and neurodevelopmental disorders. Over the years, Allison has provided individual, group and family therapy, working with a diverse client population. She has presented a wide range of mental health seminars for educational staff and parents and led process-oriented parenting groups.

My work has ranged from treating children, adolescents, adults and couples. Areas of expertise include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorders, relational problems, disorders usually diagnosed during childhood, and difficulty with transitions between stages of life.

I work with individuals from all walks of life: adults, couples, adolescents, children and families in addressing a variety of challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, identity issues, self-esteem, substance abuse, and life transitions (i.e. divorce, immigration, illness), family planning, family relationships, and parenting. I am also experienced in doing mental health and substance abuse evaluations for courts and administrative purposes. My approach to therapy takes on psychodynamic perspective based on the belief that person must attend to the whole self -mind, body, and environment- to achieve understanding and self-realization.

My goal is to be able to help you achieve yours. I work with each individual and provide evidence-based treatment to help solve any issues you may be facing. I have experience working with different backgrounds and will provide a non-biased listening ear. I provide Cognitive Behavioral, Play, Individual, and Family Therapy. I seek to help children, adolescents, and adults with social anxiety, stress, trauma and upsetting events, self-esteem, emotional regulation, impulsivity, and family problems.

I offer a relaxing, nonjudgmental environment where we can begin to develop rapport and build the therapeutic relationship. I am aware that clients have a choice of clinician and without rapport, clients may have a difficult time finding the comfort level needed for personal growth. I provide therapeutic services to children, adolescents, adults and families who are struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, emotional and behavioral management, relationships, and other related social/emotional issues. In addition, I have extensive experience working with adolescents struggling with issues related to ADHD, Executive Functioning, learning disabilities and related school issues.

Do you feel like you are spending most of your time somewhere between failing and just getting by and not really thriving? Do you feel stressed, overwhelmed, unfulfilled, anxious, depressed, or unhappy? Have you tried making health changes, but find yourself falling short time and time again? As a clinical health psychologist and coach, I empower clients to navigate life challenges, address general dissatisfaction, and realize their potential for happiness and a meaningful life.

I work from the position that we are reincarnated Spiritual Beings immersed in a human experience. When we are consciously unaware of this truth or deny it, we experience dis-ease within us that can manifest as anxiety, depression, phobias, or thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that do not serve us well. When we do eventually remember or awaken to this truth (often by way of one or more Spiritually Transformative Experiences), our attempts to integrate it into our daily lives can be painful in many different ways. It can lead to feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and alone.

The stressful world in which we live often leaves us feeling overwhelmed and struggling to manage the demands placed upon us. You may experience irritable moods, anxiety, depression, or unable to find joy in things. Your relationships may be affected and you may find you are unable to be the person you once were and know you can be. It is my goal, as a therapist, to create a warm, supportive, understanding, and collaborative partnership with clients. My clinical expertise includes: working with high functioning adults, people struggling with serious mental illnesses, and individuals with developmental disabilities.

Damen enjoys working with children, adolescents, teenagers, families and adults and has practiced in case management, hospital, school and outpatient therapy settings. As a clinician, Damen is devoted to learning about her clients and helping them work towards their individual goals using professional knowledge and creativity. She is a team player and has extensive experience working with schools and advocating for IEP, 504 plans and specific resources needed to help her clients be successful in the school setting.

I offer strengths-based, affirming counseling for individuals, partners, and parents of all identities, who need help navigating family, self, and relational issues, parenting, health/medical challenges, life transitions, and neurological differences such as autism and ADHD.

Change and struggle are universal inevitabilities, and everyone deserves guidance and relief. Whether you are facing everyday stressors or significant life obstacles, you are not alone. I believe everything we do serves a function, and it is important to gain understanding of those that might not be healthy or helpful. My training and clinical experience with court-involved individuals and families guides my work with clients spanning the toddler years to middle adulthood.

OCD is treatable. Our goal is to help you get it into full remission. We specialize in all subtypes of OCD. We are passionate about supporting and encouraging you to defeat OCD symptoms and regain control of your life. Specializing exclusively in the treatment of OCD in adult women allows us to focus 100% on the latest knowledge and highly-effective techniques that will likely work best for you. North Shore OCD Women’s Treatment Center provides you with expert, high-quality and personalized treatment. Sessions will be conducted with a PhD-level psychologist, trained in highly-ranked programs with over 15 years of experience.

You know something isn’t right, but you just haven’t been able to figure out how to get to the other side. As a result, you may experience common symptoms of self-doubt, lack of confidence, anger, anxiety, depression, loneliness, or lack of connection to others. At times, do you feel hopeless and/or helpless? Or, are you dealing with issues that are not so serious, and you simply need tools and a little guidance and perspective to get unstuck?

As an experienced clinical-health psychologist, I specialize in helping people navigate life transitions (divorce, remarriage, parenting, relationships, work, health), manage food and weight issues (binge/emotional eating, weight management, weight-loss surgery), deal with addictions of all kinds (substance use, co-dependency, recovery, internet, shopping), develop healthier ways to manage stress and illness, and to deal with anxiety and depression. My approach to therapy is collaborative, interactive, and tailored to your unique needs and goals.