Therapists in Deerfield, IL

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 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.

Would you like to: grow and heal as an individual? Learn how to understand, make sense of and enhance your current relationships? Let go of past difficulties and patterns that continue to overshadow your life? If so, I can assist you on your journey. I have worked with people who experience a variety of emotional issues, most commonly depression and anxiety. I provide a safe and nurturing environment to allow for exploration, insight, and emotional growth. The pace of treatment is set by you and together we will overcome obstacles that stand in your way.

I view myself as both a guide and partner in the growth process which I believe involves exploration and reflection on current and historical issues that keep you feeling depressed, anxious, stagnant or unfulfilled in your life. Understanding current coping strategies and the ways in which they may have been useful in the past, but are no longer serving you well is my focus. While I believe reflection on early experience is important, I also remain grounded in the present and provide more direct interventions when needed. My style is warm, engaged, non-judgmental, empathic and active.

I understand how mental health can make or break future success. If we don’t take care of our mental health, how can we possibly achieve our own personal goals at our highest potential? When it comes to styles of mental health therapy, there is no cookie-cutter approach for any given individual. I build rapport and provide an inviting, calm, and peaceful environment where my clients can feel safe and secure to share feelings, thoughts, and experiences.

It is my honor and delight to assist people in using their own wisdom to balance their lives. Clients say I am easy to be with and talk to, and I do not judge. We explore the cognitive, physical, spiritual and emotional realms of life experience. And we find patterns, identify core values and can focus on specific challenges. My professional goal is to provide a comfortable, non-judgmental and protected place in which we can explore your life and your concerns freely.

Life can be overwhelming! Sometimes we feel like we don’t measure up or fit in. We can start to feel tired and alone. Maybe we can’t seem to concentrate on work, school or other important areas of our lives. Sometimes what seems like a simple task for others makes us feel nervous and overwhelmed. A therapist is both a safety net and a guide, someone to help you discover and recover from what life throws at you. I will strive to make the time spent together a safe place for you to learn more about you, your uniqueness, and your strengths.

My counseling philosophy is based on the idea that connection is the most important factor in healing. Getting to know a patient in therapy is an adventure. It’s a journey that often starts at the time of the initial phone conversation. The road takes us through peaks and valleys neither side predicted. I use my personality, mind, and spirit to understand the needs of my clients. These instruments encourage building a relationship in which we can collaborate to reach goals.

Childhood experiences have a huge impact on who we become as adults and are often the root of our pain. Therapy allows you to start untangling your past to see how it connects to your present. The things you need to heal, are already within you. I offer both solution-focused interventions aimed at easing your emotional discomfort and long-term depth work to discover what's at the bottom of that discomfort. I create a safe, accepting space for you to come as you are, while helping you identify how you want to grow. While relationships are often the source of our pain, they are also the source of our healing.

CJE Counseling Services is staffed by a team of highly skilled Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) who are specialists in the field of mental health and aging. We are dedicated to assisting older adults find more effective strategies to manage challenging life situations.

Life, with all its challenges can be overwhelming. Finding a trusted professional to process and explore these experiences can be helpful and meaningful. Therapy should be a non-judgmental experience so you can feel comfortable learning more about yourself. I view therapy as a partnership, you are the expert in your life. We can work together in discovering more effective ways to confront life's challenges.

As a clinical psychologist I have 30 years of experience helping clients create a more satisfying life. Within my office you will fine a safe and nurturing environment that invites open expression. I see myself as a partner in your journey, working collaboratively to develop a personalized plan for your specific needs. My style is warm, empathic, engaged, and non-judgmental. I apply knowledge from brain research for interventions that promote effective emotional regulation, problem solving, and relationship functioning. My treatment orientation is a combination of Cognitive Behavior, EMDR, and Mindfulness Therapies.

Experiencing feelings of dysregulation, sorrow, overwhelm, fear, anger, and exhaustion is an inherent aspect of being human, and addressing these experiences can seem daunting. The therapeutic journey equips us to navigate our relationship with our bodies, emotions, experiences, and interpersonal connections, and address deep sources of pain and fear that can often arise merely from existing in this world. Through MCBT, ACT, and Somatic lenses, I want to help you understand yourself and your challenges deeply enough on all levels to invoke acceptance, understanding, and the most difficult of all, change.

Is addiction, an eating disorder, body image issues or trauma getting in the way of living your best life? Do you feel like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh? Your outlook on life is gloomy at best. Perhaps your food/exercise obsession is out of control. Maybe you’re attracted to risk and, as such, using drugs/alcohol to the point where it's derailing your life. Is shame what controls you? It could be fear getting in your way. Does your stomach ache, your palms sweat, or your anxiety give you that sinking feeling in the bottom of your belly that stops you in your tracks? With all this madness, there’s no time to thrive; merely survive.

I specialize in primary and secondary trauma experienced by law enforcement officers, firefighters/paramedics, educators, veterans, mental health professionals, survivors of suicide, survivors of violent crimes, their families, and those struggling with complicated and traumatic grief. I see clients who need help managing their anger and addictive behaviors. Additionally, I work with survivors of Near Death Experiences (NDE) and psychically gifted children and adults. I offer debriefing services to law enforcement officers after critical incident involvement and mandated psychotherapy for fit-for-duty protocols.

We all work hard to take care of ourselves and build positive relationships, but sometimes obstacles get in our way. For more than 20 years, I have worked with people to identify and remove those obstacles, so that they can lead fuller and more joyful lives. You may be derailed by the loss of a job or relationship; feel depressed and not know why, or struggle as a parent. I work with individuals, couples and families to pinpoint your concerns and work toward change. My emphasis is on building honest, open relationships and on using insight to fuel change.

Some of the key objectives that drive my coaching efforts include: • Build on individual strengths. • Create intentional and mindful habits. Develop Beliefs and Behaviors that breed self-confidence and success. • Enhance life skills and strategic coping strategies. • Take ownership of one’s potential to succeed. • Humor, play and laughter matter. • Manage difficult daily life challenges confidently. • Minimize achievement disruptors. • Develop the ability to be effective and consistent in meeting daily personal and professional demands.

I work with autistic individuals and their families as well families who are concerned their child may have autism. My primary service is comprehensive psychological evaluation for toddlers, children and adolescents when there is a question of autism. I also support a fabulous team of mental health providers who provide mental health intervention to autistic children and youth. Our Illinois location specializes in early diagnostic evaluations for children 14 months to 5 years. In Madison, WI we support diagnostic services for children 14 months to 16 years. Mental health services in both locations span up to 26 years of age.

I believe that you are the expert in your story and understand that it can be difficult to ask for support, especially when you aren’t sure what to expect. Within you are the answers to many of the challenges you are trying to overcome. My role is to come along side you to help clear the obstacles that are preventing real growth and change. I am always honored to observe my clients through their journey and am truly passionate about supporting you in managing symptoms and gaining coping skills on the path to healing.