Couples Counseling Therapists in Evanston, IL

"We all need somebody to lean on." Lean on Me by Bill Withers is a song that articulates one of the best things you can do when life is challenging. Reaching out to family, friends, and a kind professional for help will enable you to get support and make positive changes in your life. Asking for help can be a vulnerable and scary experience, but the results are often worth it. I am devoted to manifesting growth and stability with all my clients. I am an active, enthusiastic clinician who gives thoughtful feedback after listening carefully to the problem.

I believe that relationships are fundamental to a person's health and happiness. Whether romantic, interpersonal, peer, parent-child, or work relationships I have found that the issues people bring to therapy stem from difficulties in connecting. Furthermore, I believe that a safe, open, and honest relationship in therapy is the key to personal mental health and creating healthy relationship 's in one's life. I do interpersonal therapy with individuals, couples , and groups. In particular, I enjoy connecting with young men starting their careers, gamers, and adolescent boys.

Do you frequently feel anxious, unsafe, or frozen in certain situations? Do you struggle to connect with others or communicate your wants and needs? Are you not living your life in a way that fits your values and fulfills you? My priority as a therapist is to support you in your time of struggle, in a way that centers your needs, circumstances, goals, and concerns. I can provide a compassionate space to process your feelings, nurture existing strengths, and heal from trauma, pain, or loss. If you’re ready, I’d love to assist you in finding a path forward, feeling better, and reconnecting with your truest self.

People who seek my services as a psychotherapist often feel stressed, stuck, or even hopeless. These feelings can stem from difficulties in personal relationships (couple/marital, parent/child, aging parents, boss), life transitions (parenthood, infertility, illness, career change), loss (of a loved one,employment), or self-destructive behaviors (abusive relationships, eating disorders, substance abuse). By analyzing the dynamics of these challenges in a confidential environment, utilizing time-tested theories, those with whom I work are often able to relieve their stress, "move-on" with confidence, and even see a clear path when previously all was bleak.

Many of us seek therapy when we are unhappy in our relationships or when we feel lonely. Sometimes, it is the relationship that we have with ourselves that concerns us. Therapy provides an opportunity for us to understand ourselves within the context of a relationship designed for self exploration. Sometimes individual therapy is appropriate. Other times, therapy is more helpful when our partners or other family members join us.

I specialize in helping people achieve lasting and meaningful change in their lives. My goal is to help you increase your understanding of yourself and your struggles, alleviate emotional pain, and help you lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. I frequently work with people who experience anxiety or depression, or feelings related to a life change or transition. I also work extensively with couples to re-establish intimacy and connection, and to communicate effectively.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. In Michigan, I worked at an elementary school with children who had mood disorders, trauma and behavioral issues which were impacting them in school. I also worked with adults and couples who were struggling with depression, anxiety and communication barriers. In Illinois, I worked primarily with adults struggling with severe mental illness. Some diagnoses included schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and PTSD. I use many different therapeutic techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Imago Therapy, Family Therapy and Psycho-education.

We all have a natural resilience to heal from trauma, loss, and unexpected setbacks, however stories created about who we are can get in the way. They tell us we are not good enough, that we will fail, that we are not safe. They disconnect us from others, the world around us, and the goals we seek, they wreak havoc in our bodies. Together, we will partner to make sense of and transform these stories, allowing for growth and connection. I believe that even our adversities can be a source of strength and an opportunity to better ourselves.

Are you worried about your child? Struggling to be the best parent you can be? Not feeling satisfied with family relationships? I believe in the mutuality of healthy relationships, in which people are able to have their own needs met as well as to respond to the needs of their loved ones. Respect, empathy, validation, and reflection are essential components of a successful therapeutic relationship and form the cornerstone of my practice. My special areas of expertise are in work with children and parents, challenges related to parental separation/divorce, as well as individual adult personal growth issues.