Oppositional Defiance (ODD) Therapists in Evanston, IL

I believe that therapy, through both our therapeutic relationship & collaborative work together, can be a very empowering & rewarding experience. My aim as a licensed clinical psychologist is to facilitate a comfortable, engaging space within which clients of all ages can achieve authentic change. The therapeutic process is unique to each individual, therefore I find that utilizing an integrative framework fosters the most effective self-reflection & personal growth. This includes incorporating concepts & interventions from different approaches & connecting with you & your child using creative & individually tailored techniques.

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.

At Melanated Wellness we incorporate physical training and psychotherapy to aid in your personal journey as you create a more fulfilling life! Our services address healing from multiple lens as we encourage people of color to be intentional with their self-care routine and embrace their authenticity.

I'm highly skilled in working with a wide variety of relational and individual issues involving adolescents, families, couples/relationships, parenting, stage-of-life concerns, addiction, meditation and yoga, and business managers/executives. As your clinical psychologist, I'll help you identify the core issues behind your problems, determine the changes that you want to make, and support you every step of the way as you courageously move toward a happier and more fulfilling life.

For over 15 years I have worked with children, teens and adults managing difficulties with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. The diverse experience with each age has given me insight to share in the therapy room with you. I address each challenge with great care and energy to help move toward growth with you or your child to find understanding and greater ways of coping, being in relationships and thriving.

For over 17 years as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, I have helped children, teens, adults and families with their struggles. Most of my work is generated through client referrals. I believe a safe, comfortable environment, helps make the work toward change less difficult and helps individuals move through the therapy process at their own pace. Because we are all unique, my therapy style is Eclectic, meaning, I use various techniques and approaches to meet the needs of each individual.

An ideal client is one seeking inner and outer change to reach a more meaningful life. Exploring the inner world through cognitive approaches, mindfulness and dream work can help with the exploration of blocks stopping the process of change. Those seeking help in improving their marriage and family conflicts would benefit from being in a context where they can be heard as well as being exposed to the perspective of others. Clients having difficulties facing a new culture can benefit working with a bicultural therapist who lived in other countries and experienced those challenges.

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.

We are a team of therapists serving children in individual and group therapy sessions. No one is born with an instruction manual. We learn through trial and error. However, sometimes children get stuck in this process. Whether it is a bump in the road, a devastating event or one's own stagnation; growth and progress are put on hold. It doesn't have to be that way! Less problems are possible in a healthy environment with dedicated professional therapists willing to meet you every step of the way. Help is out there. All you have to do is AASC (ASK).

My work years ago with adolescents led naturally to working more closely with parents, who often struggle themselves during this turbulent time for their children. A third of my practice is with adolescents (anxiety, depression, academic underachievement, identity issues), another third with parents and couples/marriage (with or without children), and the other third with individual adults (anxiety, depression, issues of generativity in personal and/or professional lives).

Welcome. You may ask, “What does the path to healing look like and how do I get there?” The answer is that the path looks different for everyone; just get on your path! I believe that the first step is to build trust through a therapeutic relationship. This happens in a safe, open and non-judgmental space for individuals, adolescents and families.

It is my goal to provide a safe and collaborative space where you can fully express your thoughts, feelings, doubts, and desires. I deeply respect all people and their unique identities and experiences. I listen carefully to make sure I fully understand and then work in partnership and support to develop goals and plans. It is my hope that everyone I meet with feels accepted and comfortable throughout our journey together.

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.

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.

Through individualized care and a strong therapeutic relationship, I believe clients can better understand their unique strengths and feel empowered in their lives. Using trauma-informed care and harm reduction strategies, I want clients to feel safe, affirmed, and well-informed when making the best choices for themselves.

I am Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in children, adolescent girls, families and woman. I have been working with families on Chicago's North Shore and surrounding areas, for almost two decades. Although my training emphasized an Adlerian approach to therapy, I have a broad range of experience with many therapeutic modalities and am able to tailor my practice to the needs of you or your family. I believe in treating the "whole-person," which means a one-size-fits-all approach will not work.

I am a Dually-Licensed Clinical Therapist and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 10 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I obtained my Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, specializing in children and families along with addiction treatment. I received the Class Act Award from University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago and the Chapter of Merit Award from the American Case Management Association. I combine CBT, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, behavioral analysis, and mindfulness/insight awareness with a client-centered solution-focused approach.