Couples Counseling Therapists in Evanston, IL

I specialize in couples counseling , family counseling, counseling with men, and premarital counseling. I help clients make meaning of their struggles, articulate their desires, and collaborate to reach their goals. I normalize and interpret conflict in terms of differences, identity, connection, and power issues. Intimacy and anger, stress and time constraints, are often the focus of our work together. I tend to be fairly transparent and strengths-focused. I also specialize in the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy.

"We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time" T. S Eliot I believe that self-knowledge and understanding leads to self-compassion. Gently exploring aspects of the your experience within a collaborative relationship with a therapist in a warm, safe, nurturing, and empowering environment can move you toward a greater sense of connection to self. This can lead to more authentic, connected relationships with others-which as human beings is what we ultimately seek.

I am a licensed clinical social worker who has provided counseling and therapy to children, adults, couples and families for over 20 years. My approach is psychodynamic, meaning I utilize whatever style I feel would be most effective with each individual client and situation. I give my clients the option of integrating mindfulness and hypnotherapy in order to access their own strength and resilience. I don't hesitate to use an interactive approach that may include suggestions, humor,and setting personal goals. I focus on helping clients to gain a deeper understanding of themselves so that they are empowered to make positive changes.

With the right encouragement, guidance, and support, every individual possesses the strength and potential to work through their unique situation. I understand there are a lot of stressors in life that cause anxiety, depression, identity/ relationship issues, past traumatic experiences that can cause disconnection. Sometimes we need to know how or where to start. The goal is to help clients overcome those challenges, reconnect and discover their ideal life. My approach is tailored to your unique needs and assists in learning skills and strategies to achieve goals through empowerment and identification of personal growth conditions.

Therapy is a significant step towards discovering your true self and to understand the issues that shape and block you from leading a more authentic fulfilling life. Through the context of a trusting relationship I will work with you to uncover your goals. Symptoms are messages of blockage and unbalance our way of trying to cope. Understanding the message behind the symptoms and getting past them is part of the work and require a gentle challenging partnership. I focus on attachment history, values and experiences that have shaped who you are. I work with adults of all ages and diagnosis's.

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, confused, frustrated, discouraged, disappointed, lost, anxious, sad or angry, you are not alone. Most of us experience those feelings at some point in our lives. We care about the people we serve, and we believe every person is individual, authentic, and unique. We use evidence-based practice (EBP) methods for mental health to help children, pre-teens, teenagers, adults, couples , and families to live their best lives. We understand that therapy can seem scary and intimidating, though we know that finding the support you need is the key to starting the self- healing process.

I offer compassionate support and the chance to be truly heard and accepted just as you are. I work within a holistic framework that encompasses many different approaches (Person Centered, Behavioral, IFS, EMDR, Mindfulness, Body/Mind). Depending on your needs and preferences, your therapy may include exploring your inner world, getting feedback and support, healing past emotional wounds, obtaining clarity and insight, finding new directions, or trying on new behaviors and skills. We will work together to find approaches that are most effective for you.

My specialty is couple and family counseling, and of course, I also see individuals ages 12 and up. I have significant experience working with children and families who are involved with DCFS. I have helped families deal with issues such as divorce/re-marriage, and child abuse. I also enjoy working with parents who are re-thinking their parenting style and want to work towards a more satisfying relationship with their child(ren).

There are many reasons you may be seeking therapy, maybe you feel stuck, or out of balance, or you want to learn new, positive ways to cope. Therapy offers hope for healing, acceptance, and growth and can help you gain new insight into yourself. We start just where you are, right now, and utilize your personal strengths, internal resources, and resilience. You are more powerful than you know. My hope is to assist you with the tools, skills, understanding, and support to help you create a life of meaning, intention, and value; a life you want to be present for.

I'm glad you are taking steps to find a counselor who can be a good fit for you or for someone you care for. I believe that to choose to do some therapeutic work is to make a choice for wholeness, a commitment that can enhance your life and all your relationships. I work with individuals and couples . I offer both counseling and in-depth relational therapy. I listen carefully to each client and seek to address what they feel is most important for their future. I strive for results in our work together that are healing and will last.

Grieving the death of a loved one, the loss of a relationship , a decline in health, or any other life transition can be a lonely, painful, and confusing time. Your friends and family may want you to be "back to normal" but you may feel anything but "normal." I can help you to heal from your losses whether recent or in the past by providing therapeutic counseling in a safe nurturing environment. I worked in hospice for 11 years as a grief therapist. I have seen people not only heal from their losses but find new meaning and hope.

With over thirty years of experience, I love working with couples and individuals who are in all seasons of the life cycle - from young adulthood to later life. I specialize in helping people resolve complicated relationship issues and interpersonal problems. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results..." is a saying in 12 Step programs. If those words resonate with you, I will be glad to help you try to understand what your patterns are about and how to change them. I am especially sensitiveto understanding clients in their cultural and faith contexts.

I am a licensed clinical social worker who has provided counseling and therapy to children, adults, couples , and families for over 20 years. My approach is psychodynamic, meaning I utilize different treatment modalities that best fit the individual client and situation. My style is interactive, solution focused, and non-judgemental. This encourages a trusting relationship to develop which helps to empower clients to make positive changes in their lives.

Connection and intimacy are vital part of your survival, development and growth as a human being. My goal as your therapist is to cultivate a safe and non-judgmental space that allows you to explore, understand, and honor every part of who you are. By recognizing how each part of yourselves interact with one another, we can learn about its impact on your relationship and work toward addressing the pieces of your lives that just aren’t working for you anymore. By learning new ways of relating, we will lift barriers that are keeping you from reaching your goals and instead, create positive changes that last.

It takes courage to go to therapy, especially when you feel stuck. That is why I appreciate the importance of a safe, nurturing and non-judgemental environment. There you can explore who you are, what is important to you and to repair what is keeping you from moving forward, whether it is depression/anxiety, relationship issues or an eating disorder. Once you have self-awareness, strategies and support, you will be able to make better choices and be the person you want to be.

I have some shocking news: being a human is hard. Which is why I enjoy helping people navigate various life transitions, overcome challenging relationship dynamics (romantic, familial, platonic, professional, etc.), and heal from trauma. My approach is strengths-based and I often incorporate psychodynamic, Jungian, and Family Systems Theory with CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and consciousness-based interventions. Therapy with me is collaborative, holistic, and eclectic. I pride myself in creating a safe, judgment-free space for people to return to their most authentic selves, ultimately leading to a more meaningful experience of life.

I believe that an open and supportive therapeutic relationship is foundational to healing. I bring a collaborative spirit and non-judgmental curiosity to our work together to help create a safe space for you to get in touch with your most authentic self and grow toward your values. You are the expert in your own life, so I strive to understand how your various identities and experiences inform how you move through the world. With warmth, humor, and transparency, I work with each of my clients to co-create a therapeutic process that meets their unique needs and goals.

The decision to seek therapy can be a difficult one, and I am glad you are here! My practice is rooted in social justice, trauma and healing informed frameworks. I partner with clients to invite curiosity about behavior patterns, reactions and the wisdom bodies' hold. I support client’s examining different identities, and how these identities are impacted by present day context and power differentials.

3/27/23: Currently accepting new clients. Do you feel like you can’t catch a break? Are your thoughts are constantly racing? Anxiety, depression and isolation from friends and family feel like insurmountable obstacles? You are not alone. Whatever you are facing, you deserve a space that is solely dedicated to supporting your needs. I have over 15 years of experience collaborating with individuals to quiet their inner critic, establish positive habits and implement strategies to become “unstuck” and find direction in the midst of life’s challenges.