Teletherapy for Evanston, IL

Eric J. Proescher, PsyD, MPH, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professor with over 20 years of experience. He completed his training at Loyola University in Maryland, the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago (National Louis University), and University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

Do you find yourself needing a listening ear as you try your best to get through life's ups and downs? Or maybe you would like to revisit your past in a safe and calming space that makes you feel secure. Whatever the reason, everyone deserves to experience peace as they move forward in life. With time, genuine connection, and the hope that things can and will get better, transformation can begin. Welcome!

I have over 25 years experience treating adults, families, adolescents, and couples. I specialize in depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and psychotic disorders. I am a published author who has presented my research on group psychotherapy nationally and internationally. I am also a licensed massage therapist who practices mind/body work. As a past board member with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and a past member of APA's Task force on severe mental illness, I am an advocate for individuals and families who struggle with the stigma associated with these disorders. As a retired professor at Midwestern University.

It is my goal to provide you with a safe, therapeutic space to unload and explore your needs, worries, and fears whatever they may be. The path to healing is unique for each of us. We will work collaboratively towards meeting your goals and needs, and in doing so, make your life more comfortable and satisfying. It is my hope that each person who meets with me feels accepted, as I respect each individual's culture, gender, race, religion, and sexual identity.

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.

Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Are you having family and relationship issues? Are you having difficulty focusing and obtaining your goals? Do you find yourself in conflict with others or lack communication skills? Do you plan at the last minute, and/or are unable to meet deadlines? Do you avoid social interaction? If you answered yes to any of the above questions it sounds like you could benefit from Therapy with resolving these difficult challenges and issues. Call today to schedule an appointment to begin investing in your personal journey of self-exploration, self-development, balance, and new perspectives.

Therapy is a gamble. When choosing a therapist, the most important question a client can ask is: will my therapist's mind be more flexible and more integrated than my own? Are they able to see, acknowledge and actively work on healing their own darkness and their own wounds, so they won't feel overwhelmed, triggered, offended, or over their head with mine?

Do you feel unfulfilled, in a rut, sad, anxious or just frustrated and unfulfilled that your not living your life to your full potential? Do you feel dissatisfied with your relationships or with your job or career? Do you feel that there is more to life and that you wish you could get more focused and motivated and have more meaning and purpose in you life? I have helped people with these issues and I feel I can be of help to you as well.

I'm a licensed clinical psychologist. In my 25+ years as a psychotherapist I've come to appreciate the wisdom found in various therapeutic models. So I've developed an integrative approach. I believe it's important to tailor the therapy to the individual. Our past, present, and future all influence our choices and behaviors. So I find it helpful to put on trifocals to see where we're at, how we got here, and where we want to go. As social beings our interpersonal relationships are vital to our well-being and happiness. Sometimes our interpersonal style helps us connect with others; sometimes it gets in the way of our relationships. Checking out our personality style is often beneficial. As individuals we are unfolding in our own unique way and I believe there is an inner wisdom that leads us to who we are and what we really desire. Sometimes we get disconnected from ourselves and need to get back in touch by looking inward. My office has a comfortable living room feel to it. The location provides privacy, is easily accessible by public transportation, and parking is readily available. I have weekday, evening, and weekend hours.

When considering what my ideal client looks like, I find I can be the most helpful to someone who is curious about themselves and what makes them tick. They see a future for themself but are having trouble figuring out how to get there. They may come with the odds stacked against them due to being a part of a marginalized community or plagued with depression, anxiety, trauma, and/or substance abuse. Maybe they feel stuck, confused, or uncertain. That's where I come in.

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.

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.

In practice for over 40 years, I have a great deal of experience with adolescents, adults and couples. Area of specialization working with perpetrators of and family members impacted by domestic violence. Anxiety and life adjustments are also an area of specialty. Retired as high school social worker, I've worked with hundreds of adolescents and families. It is my belief that emotional energy is finite and that helping you in achieving balance can be so very helpful in finding solutions to emotional distress. Jazz trumpet is my avocation and I work to pass along the lessons I have learned relating to persistence and mindfulness.

Welcome! I'm experienced in helping individual clients and couples address the barriers to the meaningful life they deserve. Whether it's anxiety, stress, panic, depression, a relationship or other concerns, I collaborate with clients to gain more insight and tools to gain relief. Clients often struggle to wade through "the noise" of everyday life to find a path to meaning or contentment. Through the years of doing this job, clients have continually inspired me in showing people's capacity for change. I am level three Gottman method trained for couples and marriage counseling.

With more than thirty years experience practicing clinical social work, I have had the privilege of working with hundreds of individuals, couples and families in their quest to understand themselves more fully and lead healthier, more satisfying lives. There is no question that therapy and counseling works, and the benefits that can be yielded are many. With the foundation of an accepting, supportive relationship with an experienced and caring therapist, difficulties that can otherwise seem overwhelming and unmanageable can be understood, and strategies explored.

Are you an individual on the autism spectrum and looking to gain skills and independence? Have Dreams' counselors are here to help! We support children, adolescents, and young adults with autism in progressing toward their individual goals, be that working on building social and communication skills, addressing emotion regulation and stress management, preparing for employment, or developing executive functioning skills like staying organized and managing time effectively. We also offer parent education and support around new diagnosis.

As your therapist, I seek to co-create a space in which you can show up as your authentic self in order to facilitate a deeper understanding of who you are. I know that choosing to engage in therapy is often both a courageous and vulnerable decision, making the therapeutic relationship fundamental to the entire experience. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, building coping skills, self-exploration and awareness, and a justice framework. I believe that context always matters, and it is necessary to understand both the external and internal circumstances impacting your ability to thrive.

In my therapy practice, I specialize in creating an empathic and supportive environment. I will work to empower and guide you to develop healthy coping strategies, deeper more satisfying relationships, and the skills and space to process your emotions and move forward.