Emotionally Focused Therapists in Evanston, IL

My approach to psychotherapy is to create a safe space where you can explore and heal the difficult and painful issues that are showing up in your life. Together we will move beyond problem-solving into releasing the deeply held mistaken beliefs and core unresolved issues behind your symptoms. My body-centered and somatic approach allows me to work directly with your nervous system to address symptoms like anxiety, racing thoughts, and irrational fears as well as feeling stuck, depressed and unavailable or unresponsive to life and relationships.

The key to our well-being is defining and developing a healthy relationship with ourselves and others. For over 20 years, I have worked with individuals and couples to establish therapeutic relationships based on safety, trust, and acceptance. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I’ve worked with a range of issues including anxiety, depression, loneliness, loss, relationship distress, and difficult life transitions. While formally trained in psychodynamic theory, my approach is flexible recognizing the unique needs and strengths of each individual.

During life's challenging moments, most of us benefit from the support of a non judgmental guide. People have told me they feel safe with me. Whether you are dealing with work/school stress, struggling with anxiety or depression, coping with parenting, experiencing loss, or are looking for support with a relationship, I can help you to better understand stuck areas in your life. I see individuals, couples, adolescents and families. I have an interactive, supportive, and open approach. When working with individuals, we will work together to gain greater self understanding and discover workable solutions.

It's important that you find a therapist that is a right fit for you. I strive to create a safe holding environment where clients feel understood and encouraged to take their next step. I utilize a developmental framework and family systems approach, while viewing each client as a unique individual. I specialize in working with young children and families, providing individual, family, couples, and group treatment.

Preston has clinical experience working with adolescents and adults in college settings, outpatient mental health clinics, and private practice. His clinical interests include working with underserved communities, mood disorders, substance use, relationship and family challenges, trauma, and systemic challenges related to diversity and inclusion.

You matter. I seek to highlight & build upon your unique strengths with a focus on overall wellness in mind, body, spirit & community. I believe we all have the tools to reach our highest potential. I aim to understand what might be getting in the way of you being your most authentic, talented self. I specialize in helping others access & heal their pain by engaging the nervous system to unlock trauma & emotions to release them. Body integration allows us to feel alive & open to get more of life. I blend evidenced-based practices such as somatic, breathwork, mindfulness, EMDR, CBT, & EFT under a psychodynamic therapy lens.

I was drawn to the work of therapy because I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship. I have experienced the safety offered by this type of relationship as both clinician and client, and believe that this safety creates new harmony and courage within an individual’s self and relationships. I believe that the client is the expert on their experience, and I approach each session with humble curiosity. I love my work and look forward to the honor of walking alongside you on your journey.

I look forward to supporting a diverse array of clients and their families on their individualized healing journey, concentrating in work with adults, children and adolescents needing developmentally sensitized mental health assessment and treatment. Specialized experience working with multiple client populations including: trauma survivors, eating disorders, families involved in the foster care system and adoption, mood disorders, anxiety disorders and personality disorders along with matters of social/cultural oppression and justice.

My mission is helping people with their problems. I customize my therapy to my clients' needs and goals. I will work with you to find out what is the best way for you to achieve your goals and accomplish your dreams. I take a practical approach to therapy because I understand that you want results. Whether you are unsatisfied in your relationships or struggle in your everyday life, you don't need to suffer alone. I am here to help.

Are you feeling stuck or unsure of yourself? Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, work/life balance, relationship concerns, or how to achieve what you really want? We can help you find your authentic voice, connect to your inner strengths, discover new perspectives, and effectively assert yourself to make the positive changes you need. We will help you manage your self-critical voices and gain meaningful insights into your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. We specialize in helping young and not so young adults who are struggling with self-confidence, relationships, trauma, life transitions, and issues of identity.

Hello! I've joined Affiliates In Counseling so I can continue my work using emotionally focused strategies to work with adults & teens who suffer from anxiety, depression and stress, as well as those experiencing grief, life changes, job loss and isolation, in both the northern suburbs and in Chicago. As a couples & family counselor, I've had great success utilizing these same emotional tools to strengthen and enhance more effective and long-term communication skills, helping to build more fulfilling relationships. Finally, I had the honor working directly in both the post-deployment veteran and LGBTQ communities during my training.

Are you looking to make a change in your life but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? I support my clients through navigating the journey of personal growth and transformation, which can often feel confusing, difficult, and scary. As your therapist, I work to understand your struggles and strengths, so that we may walk step-by-step through your discomfort and toward your goals.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a M.S in Child Development & Family Studies, specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, from Purdue University. I specialize in working with couples, parents and co-parents, families, teens and Adults. My systemic approach goes beyond the individual and addresses problems within the context of people's relationships and environment. I believe relationships form a key part of health & well-being and strive to help people work through/resolve their emotional injuries to achieve happiness & harmony internally (within one's self) and externally (in relationships).

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.

While I believe that most of us attempt to manage the best we can given our current circumstances, struggles and challenges can still seem insurmountable. I want you to know that change is possible, but doing it alone may feel like an added burden. I am hoping for the opportunity to work collaboratively with you to navigate the challenges at hand. Within the context of psychotherapy, I believe that healing begins by ensuring the goodness-of-fit of the therapeutic relationship; which is a connection that develops through a shared understanding of the experiences of the human condition.

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.

Difficult times in life are opportunities for growth and change. I specialize in exploring identity, relationships, and transitions, mindful of the interplay between our formative experiences and current ways of being in the world. Through the therapeutic process, we understand and address anxious and depressed feelings; recover from losses and addictions, and manage work and family related stresses. I facilitate my clients' innate movement toward healing and authenticity.