Therapists in Lee County, IL

As a clinical intern, I specialize in helping clients navigate sexual and intimacy concerns, societal pressures, identity development, parent/child relationships, and life transitions. I hope to provide a safe and welcoming space for self-exploration, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ and kink communities. In this environment, the focus is on inclusivity, understanding, and supporting diverse relationships. Ultimately, the goal is to empower clients to embrace their authentic selves, build healthier relationships, and pursue a path of fulfillment and growth.

Sab is a trauma-informed therapist who works to create a collaborative space in which to seek wellness, pleasure, and liberation. They believe in supporting and empowering folx in navigating life’s troubles with recognition of systems of oppression, misinformation, shame and stigma. Sab is a creative community activist with a passion for expressive arts, dedication to racial justice, and commitment to their own shadow work regarding the use and impact of their whiteness.

The mission of Starfish Family Counseling, PLLC, is best described through a story. The Starfish Story tells of a child walking along a beach after a terrible storm which washed up thousands of starfish onto the beach. The child is throwing starfish back into the water, when someone admonishes the child that they cannot save them all, cannot really make a difference. The child responds by picking up another starfish and saying "it makes a difference to this one." Together we will explore your goals, strengths and most importantly that you, your child, your relationships deserve healing. You matter.

Life has probably provided many challenges this past year, and has produced far more questions than you can find answers for. My goal in our work together will be to help you search for the solutions that can increase your self-esteem, decrease your anxieties as well as develop a better insight into your life. In our work together, your strengths will be our focus, and in a non-judgmental environment we will address the most intimate or overwhelming issues impacting you and/or your relationships through a mind/body approach. I am LGBTQIA+-affirming, sex-positive, kink and poly-friendly.

Everyone has times in their life when they need additional support, sometimes the hardest part can be asking for help. I take a client-centered approach, meeting you where you’re at and offering help and support in the ways that work for you personally. I bring a calm manner and balanced perspective to the counseling space to assist clients explore their life experiences, goals, and concerns. I focus on empowering my clients by offering an environment where you can feel safe, supported and have no fear of judgment.

As a relational therapist, I work with individuals, couples, and families as they navigate anxiety, depression, trust and communication, and life cycle transitions. I enjoy working with clients of all cultural backgrounds, sexualities and non-traditional relationships, as they navigate different phases of life. I hope to provide a communicative, collaborative space in which we can make meaning of the client's lived experiences to foster healing and growth on an interpersonal and intrapersonal level. As a queer, Asian-American woman of color, I hold space for the multiple identities in which clients identify.

I specialize in identity development & life transition work, harm reduction for individuals with substance use issues, relationship issues, mood & anxiety challenges, and supporting individuals who have endured trauma. I am a kink and poly aware therapist who enjoys working with relationships. I relying on an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) lens when working with relationship struggles. I am dedicated to serving Chicagoland’s LGBTQIA+ community and have a deep background in advocacy and direct service. I am especially dedicated to supporting TGNC individuals in the unique aspects of their journeys.

My philosophy of therapy is humanist, believing that every person is worthy of dignity, love, and fulfillment in their life. Therapy provides an affirming, compassionate relationship for clients to learn more about themselves, explore choices, and better understand how they relate to the world around them. Through acceptance, curiosity, and discussion, I join with clients to support them in discovering their own potential, explore areas of growth, and identify the strengths and wisdoms they already carry with them. I believe therapy should be flexible and dynamic enough to support clients who are facing particular struggles.

I work with adolescents and adults. My specialities include working with people experiencing life transitions, survivors of trauma, queer and trans people, people of color, and disabled folks. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming, kink affirming, and sex positive. I also work with polyamourous and non-monogamous people, as well as those with other alternative relationship orientations. Additionally, I have experience working with folks with substance use concerns, adoptees, religious minorities, sex workers, and neurodivergent people.

It can often be a challenge to find a counselor to connect with, to feel comfortable sharing your experiences with and that seem to "get you". We also often want someone that cannot only understand and empathize but also to challenge behaviors/beliefs in a way that help create introspective thought, growth and change. I endeavor to join you on your journey, exploring what you seek, while also embracing the idea that sometimes you just need the ability to share safely and authentically in a supportive environment.

I specialize in working with men, especially those who identify as gay, bi or queer. Common issues I work with clients on include relationship/intimacy struggles, isolation, depression, shame, career issues, anger/rage, anxiety, sexual issues, feelings of numbness and addiction. I can assure you a level of comfort and understanding as well as specialized training when dealing with these issues. In addition, I take a sex positive approach and am attuned to the needs of poly, non-monogamous, kink and BDSM clients.

Sex therapist taking an alternative approach to liberate your sexuality from trauma, conflict and shame. I'm here to guide you on a transformative journey that integrates your mind, body, and spirit. Whether you're an individual or in partnership, I'm dedicated to helping you enhance your sexual connection. I thrive on active collaboration and empowering you with self-healing tools. We'll work with AAIT, somatic therapy, meditation, reiki, tarot, and psychedelic-assisted therapy as desired. Remember, within you already lies so much wisdom, strength, and pleasure. I'm just here to help you unleash it! LGBTQIA+, poly, kink friendly.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, as well carrying a Certification in Drug and Alcohol Counseling. I am a Certified Sex Therapist. I am also a Level III Reiki Practitioner and firmly believe in the power of holistic counseling. I specialize in working with adults, although have experience working with adolescents, couples, and families. I have a focus on those practicing alternative spiritualties, those struggling with trauma/PTSD, survivors of sexual trauma, male survivors of childhood sexual trauma, and first responders.

Every individual and couple who has ever sought my services worked diligently to navigate life as best as they can until they reached an impasse. They feel depleted, frustrated, confused, unfulfilled. Stuck. This is human, and I view those seeking my services as individuals, not diagnoses. Therapy is at its core, conversational. As such, my primary aim is to create a setting in which it is as comfortable as possible to explore the most sensitive areas of your life. Some of the primary issues I treat are depression, work stress, anxiety, substance use, trauma, life transition.

I work from a client-centered theoretical approach and practice from a post-modern and philosophically informed lens. My clinical interests include: artistic expression, mindfulness, sexual and gender identity exploration, sex positive approaches, existential questioning, trauma recovery, couples therapy, harm reduction, religious trauma, and body image. I work with individuals and couples. I have also offered groups centering on consent, sexuality, and relationships in local high schools and I have facilitated workshops on music therapy and media literacy.

I am a Licensed Social Worker, a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a Sex Therapist. My clinical experience is focused on working with individuals, couples, adolescents, and families on issues including addiction, alcoholism, substance abuse, relationship/marital conflicts, codependency, divorce, infidelity, PTSD, childhood trauma, emotional abuse, anxiety, social anxiety, depression, life transition, LGBTQ+ issues, sexual health concerns, non-monogamy/polyamory, kink/BDSM, and intimacy injuries.

Are you struggling with emotions, career, relationships, or chronic pain, but not sure how to move forward? As we've all experienced through the pandemic to certain degrees; life events can be unexpected, overwhelming, and traumatic. You deserve space to process what brings you to therapy with a professional who can validate your experiences and commit to working with you, at your pace, to develop solutions. I work from a culturally-aware, trauma-informed perspective to ensure that you feel seen and heard, and offer Art Therapy. Non-judgmental by nature, I collaborate with clients by building on strengths to overcome challenges.

I identify as a Black, queer therapist and use feminine and non-binary pronouns. I have experience working with young adults, adults, and older adults for individual and couple’s therapy. Some of my specialty areas are anxiety, depression, complex trauma (racial, sexual, medical, developmental/childhood, intergenerational, and religious), life transitions, work stress, ADHD, postpartum and perinatal concerns, sexual functioning, kink/BDSM/poly, interpersonal relationships, grief, LGBTQIA+, and substance use.

I'm a queer psychotherapist who offers individual and relational therapy. I believe mental health is deeply connected to our relationships, our intersectional identities, and our exposure to trauma. By exploring inner narratives, I support clients with building a capacity for emotional regulation and practicing radical self-love. The couples/relationship therapy I offer focuses on identifying how cultural upbringing, identities, needs, and emotions affect our relationships.