Structural Family Therapy in Libertyville, IL

I am bilingual and happy to offer sessions in English or Spanish. I would be honored to hear your story and help you navigate through the challenges that are affecting you. I take care to build a safe and welcoming environment that can facilitate change in your life. I am committed to providing empathy and genuine positive regard for you and working collaboratively toward goals to help you thrive. I work to meet you where you are and tailor interventions to meet your needs and preferences. I offer individual, family, and couples counseling.

"I am equipped to assist you in developing new coping strategies to reduce your suffering, effectively adjust to challenging realities in life, and help you gain a sense of healing and adequacy as you move forward in your life. Using an integrative therapeutic approach, I quickly adapt to your needs and personality. I will connect with your story to develop an understanding of your unique circumstance rather than imposing my beliefs or perspectives on you. My highest values in counseling are a nonjudgmental understanding and a nuanced compassion for you and your circumstances. Through these skills and principles, we can achieve fresh perspectives and transformation.

i Have Immediate Daytime Availability! I see you. It takes courage, commitment and love to start counseling - all of which may seem in short supply some days. I'm passionate about healing and attunement. My clients are primarily individuals who have a history of trauma and couples that have trouble understanding and connecting, but I also work with parents and their children to reset. My clients regain confidence in their relationships, parenting, and ability to flourish.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read my biography. I received my MS in Human Services/Community Counseling. I have over 20 years experience in MH and have been successful in working with individuals, couples and families. I have a particular clinical area of strength working with First Responders. I am also trained in EMDR level I & II, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Sex Therapy. I can also provide short-term counseling. My clinical approach is evidence based treatment as I am trained to work with various populations. We offer sessions in Libertyville, Gurnee and via telehealth.

I enjoy helping people to feel more control over their lives. I am very curious about people’s stories. How can we edit our thoughts to feel better? Is there a different way to think about this problem? Sometimes I use humor to lighten the mood, but I will always uphold professional boundaries. In fact, I love to teach ways to set clear boundaries in our families and our workplaces. I have worked with many trauma survivors, and they describe feeling less trapped in shame spirals, with more confidence and fewer flashbacks.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with experience working in schools, community mental health centers, forensic and private practice settings. I have worked with individuals presenting with mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, attention difficulties and behavioral concerns. I provide individual and family therapy as well as comprehensive psychological evaluations.

North Star Counseling Group was founded on the idea that all people will find themselves in need of guidance and support at some point in their life. Various concerns can lead a person to counseling services. Stephanie Ardagh, LCSW works with children ages 3-18. She is experienced in addressing issues of: self esteem, self injury, body image, school refusal, adjustment to divorce and loss, social skills, and significant behavior disorders. Stephanie sees parents as a valuable resource and ally when working with children. She works well with other providers, such as school personnel, to get to know her clients and their unique needs.

Life can present us with significant challenges. As a therapist, my goal is to assist you in identifying the obstacles that may be in the way of you experiencing life as you want it to be and to develop strategies that result in an increase in acceptance, contentment and success. My expertise is in providing individual and family therapy. Additionally, I have a specialization in addiction recovery, trauma work and working with mood regulation (depression, anxiety).I treat adolescents, families, couples and individuals. I see patients 18 years of age and up.

When it comes to mental health treatment, our approach is simple and unique: our accomplished team of physicians and therapists work together to diagnose and treat your body, mind and spirit as a whole. We are one of the few practices combining traditional treatment with evidence-based alternative therapies, all under one roof. We are privileged to have changed the lives of many families in Chicago's North Shore, as well as out-of-state and foreign visitors. Our "whole body" approach to treating mental health conditions is supported by clinical studies. These include but are not limited to: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), diet and exercise, spiritual/social evaluation, yoga and art therapy. Many still focus only on the brain, treating symptoms, not causes. In many cases they over-prescribe medications. While our physicians do prescribe medications as needed, what sets us apart is our commitment to explore all options. We search for root causes and provide the most appropriate treatment, not merely the most convenient one. When we do prescribe, we go the extra mile to customize a plan that minimizes side effects. You and your family deserve the best in healthcare!

My approach to new patients is one of teacher and guide. I create a safe and accepting environment that allows for an ease of conversation. I focus on creating a trusting and respectful relationship honoring this very personal journey. As a therapist for over 30 years, I enjoy working with patients who are committed to the process and want to learn, grow, and expand their understandings of themselves and others. Patients can awaken to new possibilities, discover internal strengths and create new successes in their lives.

In-person & telehealth available: Brighter Pathways, PLLC is a small group practice currently offering individual, couples, family, and group therapies. Our therapists value collaboration, education, and transparency because treatment should make sense to you. In order to best meet your needs, your therapist will strive to understand your unique circumstances. We believe in a team approach to treatment. We will work with you to develop a treatment plan that addresses your personal goals and struggles. We offer a safe, supportive, and open environment for you to explore your struggles and strive for personal growth.