Family Therapy in Evanston, IL

I am an experienced clinician with over 15 years of experience working with clients across gender, ethnic, generational & religious differences. I am dedicated to establishing an authentic connection and creating a safe space for you to begin or continue your process of growth and healing. I tailor my approach to each client and their values and goals. In meeting you exactly where you are with empathy, we will work towards exploring what is at the core of your struggle and develop the insight and tools needed to help you improve your overall wellbeing.

All of us -- women and men, young and old, poor, middle class and upscale folks, minorities and majorities -- have to deal with complexity. As a therapist I help heal hurts from the past, assist clients in managing present challenges, and work collaboratively to create more satisfying future lives. The people who see me for individual, couples and family therapy represent a culturally diverse group. Their difficulties range from anxiety and depression, to stress disorders, OCD/OCPD, relationship problems, employment issues, and bereavement. Many of these women and men report quick progress in better managing their personal, family , academic, and work lives.

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.

Approximately 50% of my clients have an addiction or are friends/ family of an addicted individual. I am able to help you assess the addiction, understand how it is affecting you and your family , and help you develop a plan for recovery. If you are already in recovery, your counseling can further help you understand any underlying issues that may contribute to or drive the compulsions. This may include such things as anxiety, depression, life stressors, trauma, to name a few. I have a positive approach that focuses on strengths and success, building on those assets, more than pathology.

You’ve been carrying the anxiety and pain for far too long. No one really knows what it's like to be you. It feels utterly lonely. But you are at the point, where you want to find hope again and see if there is a chance that it doesn’t have to be this way. You are navigating relationships with your intimate partner and friends, and experiencing difficult lonely feelings about your life, family , health, and career. Whether you have a relationship or are starting a new one, planning a family or maintaining one, struggling at college, battling chronic pain or IBS, or moving into the empty nest syndrome, there is so much to worry about.

Life is complicated and seldom straightforward. We are often left facing challenges that are surprising and difficult to navigate. It may be a new role, a disappointment at work, a problem in a relationship, or some lasting echoes from the past that still show up, that causes us to feel anxious, angry, sad, confused and “stuck”. We try our best to manage by using coping strategies that turn out to be more problematic than helpful. We are then left thinking, what happened? Will I ever feel like my old self? Why can't I just get over this? If you are anxious, struggling to focus, overwhelmed by work or family , I am trained to help

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, educator, and former teacher. I believe the power of healing lies in being connected to others, and collaboration is the heart of my practice. The stresses of life can isolate and alienate us from those we rely on for support. A therapeutic relationship is one where you can be connected and understood without the judgment inherent in your other relationships. Therapy should be a place where you can be comfortable being yourself and learn the tools and skills to improve your satisfaction with life.

Where is my life going? How do I get back to being me after having a baby? How do I support my teenager or young adult child? Now that I am finished with college, what's next? These are questions that my clients often ask. In our work together we will make a plan towards finding your authentic self, achieve personal goals and build healthier boundaries and relationships. I am a social worker with 13 years of experience working with clients of all ages.

My style is relational and humanistic and my goal is to help each client tap into and achieve his/her true potential. I work interactively with clients to help foster clarity about what is truly desired and help to identify and modify problematic patterns and themes that stand in the way of increased self, life and relationship satisfaction. Growth, change and helping clients move toward their own vision of peace, fulfillment and happiness is always the goal. I take a holistic approach to psychological wellness and honor the client's work life, family traditions, sexual orientation, cultural & spiritual beliefs.

I view counseling and therapy as a conversation. It is my goal to help my clients identify and define what they value in life. Most negative emotions that we experience in life are due to frustrated efforts at achieving the things we value. Often we stand in the way of our own happiness due to unexamined expectations. I believe progress comes through increased awareness and understanding of one's core beliefs about self, others, and the world. I purpose to serve as a sounding board to this growth in awareness and understanding.

How we make sense of our life experiences and deal with life's challenges is important for all of us. Adoption adds a layer of complexity. Issues of attachment, trauma, loss, race/identity, behavioral regulation, self-esteem and the impact of difficult/unknown early history take on added significance as children grow and mature into young adults. At The Cradle Center for Lifelong Support, I work with all members of the adoption circle My expertise is in strengthening children and their families by improving attachment, communication and understanding through individual/ family therapy , parent coaching and education.

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read my profile. It would be an honor to get to know you. I see myself as a coach working with you to reduce anxiety. Our work together will help you identify the unique patterns of communication specific to you and your family . You will start to make sense of how these patterns permeate every aspect of your life in all significant relationships. Do these patterns help you function more effectively or keep you stuck? Five years ago I took the plunge and opened my own clinical practice. I am passionate and committed to my clients as they share, in confidence, the stories of their lives.

With over 15 years of experience working with children and their families I bring a wealth of knowledge and resources to my work. My experience includes helping children improve communication and problem solving skills, cope with anxiety, and building confidence in relationships. The family work focus's on parenting and communication skills and strengthening relationships. In addition to individual and family therapy I have expertise in social skills groups for children 3-11 years old. I help children with no formal diagnosis who experience social and behavioral challenges as well as children with Asperger's, learning disabilities, ADHD, and Anxiety.

Being a child, an adolescent, an adult, is not easy. School, working, navigating relationships, parenting, family life, finding time for yourself, coping with loss, stress- We all face times that are challenging. Everyone deserves a safe space to share their story, feelings, & experiences & have their truth be heard & held. I am passionate about helping children & adults as they navigate difficult moments in their lives. I am skilled at listening, providing support, guidance, & compassion as individuals strive to make meaning, heal, connect, problem solve, successfully participate, & find joy in their lives. Change is possible.

I help people connect and grow in relationships. I help couples and families find their way through the difficulties of being in relationship when the uncertain, the unexpected, and the uninvited threaten to unravel the very fabric that would otherwise get them through it. Things like dealing with past trauma or family issues, coming out, getting married, having a child, addiction, a diagnosis, losing a job, or an affair put strain on a couple or family . In time, it can sap all energy and leave members struggling to meet the changing needs of their relationships. I meet you in the struggle and help you figure out how to reconnect.

As we navigate our often-complex world, there are times when talking with a professional can make a significant positive difference. I work with children, adolescents and adults on issues that may be interfering with success at home, school, jobs or relationships in general. I provide a welcoming and supportive environment, in which trusting relationships develop. In addition to talk therapy and a variety of approaches, I also do experiential work including art, piano and being out in nature - whatever might resonate with individuals. This is about making the process work for you.

I specialize in helping children and families develop new strategies and coping skills to work through difficult life transitions and overcome emotional and behavioral problems that impede ideal functioning. My expertise is in working with families dealing with sexual abuse and divorce issues. I provide individual and group support for children and adults navigating through the painful process of coping with these issues. Utilizing a family systems approach, I have a collaborative and interactive style and focus on each individual's assets and problem solving strengths. I have worked extensively with the judicial system providing evaluation, mediation,and parenting plans.