Personality Disorders Therapists in Evanston, IL

I'm a relational, trauma informed, inclusive, Body Positive/Health at Every Size (HAES) therapist. I have received advanced training in the treatment of trauma (complex, relational, & religious trauma), Anxiety & Mood Disorders, OCD, personality disorders , & eating disorders. I also work with clients struggling with life transitions, divorce/breakup, perfectionism, self-esteem, & identity. My approach to therapy is highly collaborative & relational. I believe a safe & nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship is central to helping create change. (NOTE: for quicker reply use contact form/email message vs voicemail).

The people I work with sense a shift could be important. Their relationships seem to have a lot of ups and downs, they feel like they cannot control their emotions, and they sometimes experience unwanted mood swings. Specialized evidence-based treatment can generate a shift. They feel more centered in themselves, are less likely to be taken over by emotions, and can more quickly recover from intense feelings. Their relationships with themselves, and with others, improves. They gain a stronger sense of purpose, increased ability to communicate, more often avoid misunderstandings, and can resolve conflicts more quickly.

My private practice incorporates an integrative approach to health and wellness. I help clients build on their strengths, release negative beliefs, and develop healthy coping skills. Depression, anxiety, coping with chronic illness, narcissistic abuse, health anxiety and relationship issues are areas of focus for many of my clients. Exploring ways to develop resiliency, self-compassion, and healthy conflict resolution skills are common goals.

I believe the therapeutic relationship is the crucible within which clients are helped to heal their pain. I take an active role in the therapeutic process by engaging with the client so he or she feels understood, respected, and seen. The feelings of shame, fear, anxiety and other painful emotions are worked through so the client feels taken care of. The clients I treat often come into therapy in a survival mode. I help people in moving from survival to a life of thriving and self love. Dysfunctional behaviors creates people who feel inauthentic, even to themselves. I assist people in developing true authenticity and a real self.

I believe we’re naturally good and unfortunately taught to feel shame, worthlessness, inadequacy, and the ideas of “bad” and “wrong”. I’m dedicated to providing a non-judgmental environment to support clients, explore their situations, and achieve their goals. I strive to hear and understand your feelings, past and current experiences, as well as to provide information and new coping strategies to help you deal with your concerns, difficulties, and struggles. We will sort out what’s going on in your life and sort it out together.

Learning to listen to, understand, and respond in healthy, adaptive ways to emotions are often central themes at the core of therapy for many individuals, as well as the path to a happier self. I am particularly experienced in working with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders , and issues related to emotional regulation. I have nearly 20 years of experience in working with adolescents. I have additionally spent many years working with young adults and adults in universities, outpatient, and wilderness therapy settings. I have a specialty in adoption and attachment issues, helping people understand various challenges unique to adoption.

I am a warm, flexible, thoughtful and experienced licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and psychoanalyst located just north Chicago's Loop. I establish supportive and comfortable therapeutic relationships with men, women couples. Sessions are customized to the unique needs, goals, and strengths of each client. Typical issues include the following: depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, work difficulties, grief or loss, relationship issues or patterns, substance or alcohol abuse, divorce, parenting, stress management, relief from painful emotional symptoms, personality disorders , and renewing hope.

I am a Clinical Psychologist in private practice in the Andersonville/Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. I provide individual, family and/or couples therapy with adults, adolescents, and children age five and up. My style is warm, non-judgmental, compassionate, and direct. I believe a strong, trusting, collaborative relationship with one's therapist is vital to realizing change and experiencing growth. I take particular care in tailoring interventions to meet an individual's needs and emphasize their strengths. My approach is largely based on cognitive-behavioral and relational techniques.

I am a Psypact provider. I have a warm and interactive style and prioritize forming a safe relationship with you. I adapt my to address your specific needs and can help you break behavior patterns and improve relationships, self awareness, and self-esteem. I have advanced training in psychoanalytic, couple, group, and dialectical behavior therapy. I have expertise in treating eating disorders, personality disorders , addictive and compulsive behavior, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, high conflict couples, and grief and traumatic loss. I see adults, adolescents, couples, families and groups

I'm here to guide you when you are ready. I value a truly collaborative approach that allows you to take ownership of your treatment. I believe in the importance of creating a therapeutic space where you can show up as your authentic selves and be open.

Often people see therapy as a one-sided conversation, with the therapist listening to your problems, issues and providing quick solutions. My goal as a therapist is to allow people the space to be honest, vulnerable, and direct in a safe environment. Therapy is a process that requires commitment to vulnerability and an openness to exploring different ways of thinking, approaching problems, and tackling it onward! Therapy does not have to be painful and intimidating! My goal as a therapist is to understand you as a whole person and your thought process and challenge some of those existing thought patterns, behaviors, and frameworks.

I provide counseling for kids, adolescents, and adults. My clients often come in to reflect on trauma, relational stressors, depression, anxiety, attachment, and self esteem. Special areas of interest include working within the queer community and helping others gain access to gender affirming care. I also often work with clients who are exploring and managing personality traits, and/or children or partners of others with personality disorders . My approach is relational, trauma informed, and driven through non judgement. I recognize the multiple systems that effect your experiences and relationships.

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.

Most people seek therapy because they are disappointed in a relationship, or have lost someone important to them. Often, this experience reactivates old hurts and losses which weaken feelings of self-worth. I work to help that person restore a sense of self-appreciation, to deepen their self-understanding, and enhance their relationships with others.

As a practicing artist, (30 years as a designer, visual artist and entrepreneur) I have a particular understanding of issues and situations affecting working creative professionals and people who identify as artists. My goal is to serve the creative community, as well as other clients, with mental health and wellness services. I work towards gaining a cultural, societal, and situational understanding of each persons' attitudes, beliefs, and desires in order to create awareness and therapeutic change. My approach is humanistic, and includes a variety of techniques. I hope that my encounters with clients can be transformational, not a transaction.

We all go through life difficulties that affect us deeply and can leave us feeling alone or ashamed and off the path to fulfilling our hopes, dreams, and life goals. The "get over it" and "move on" mentality may leave you feeling temporarily more comfortable, but inevitably, the heavy weight of your struggles overflows into your daily life affecting you and your loved ones in ways that you never wanted or intended. No longer do you need to remain held back by your anxiety, depression, or other life difficulties.

Feelings of anxiety and depression are signals. They are NOT your fault. They tell us about unresolved and repressed feelings originating from painful situations - past or present. They usually occur either in the work arena or in relationships or both. Unresolved events can block development and subsequently produce a sense of despair. I specialize in getting to the 'root' of issues; helping to resolve that which has not been adequately dealt with, thereby facilitating development to resume.