Psychodynamic Therapists in Northbrook, IL

My ideal client is someone who is ready to approach their life challenges with an open mind and open heart. With an extensive background in psychodynamic psychotherapy, I am able to offer assessment and treatment from a holistic perspective. My clients are interested in understanding the self more deeply, the origins of their difficulties and putting in the work to improve themselves and their lives.

If you’re struggling with a challenging situation in your life, it can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be that way. You deserve to experience happiness, confidence, and inner peace. I treat adults and adolescents struggling with depression, stress and anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, relationship concerns, and attachment issues. I also provide parenting support and couples counseling. My approach involves psychodynamic psychotherapy and relational therapy. I also introduce some cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

I work with individuals from all walks of life: adults, couples, adolescents, children and families in addressing a variety of challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, identity issues, self-esteem, substance abuse, and life transitions (i.e. divorce, immigration, illness), family planning, family relationships, and parenting. I am also experienced in doing mental health and substance abuse evaluations for courts and administrative purposes. My approach to therapy takes on psychodynamic perspective based on the belief that person must attend to the whole self -mind, body, and environment- to achieve understanding and self-realization.

Transitional times in your life sometimes creates angst and stress, which can show up in our bodies in a physical way, as well as, in our relationships. This is an ideal time to engage in therapy. These transitions can occur anywhere in your life; relationship conflict, a break-up, parenting concerns, navigating a new job or a geographical move, graduate school, divorce, family concerns, and health crises, as well as others, which all might result in anxiety or depression.

The therapists in our practice joined together because of our shared belief that our clients, who have reached out for help in managing and overcoming the challenges their lives, each have a unique set of strengths that often need to be better understood and developed. In our own styles, we each use the therapeutic relationship to understand what is interfering with an individual's sense of fulfillment in life. We approach therapy from the perspective that, at our core, our clients are health seeking but may be repeating old patterns that are not serving them well.

My first question to any new client is, "How will you know when therapy is over?" This helps us both to define the goals of therapy. Together, we'll focus on solutions to problems, and build on the strengths already there.

People are not defined by the struggles that they face, but are a complex amalgamation of their environment, biology, and life experiences. My role as therapist extends beyond the goal of simply fixing problems. Through the development of a deep therapeutic relationship lies the opportunity to create meaning out of life's difficulties, heal from painful experiences, and develop greater insight into one's life. Psychotherapy can provide necessary support as lives shift through different phases of development, interpersonal relationships change, and as the environments in which we live, learn, and work evolve.

Anxiety, depression and relationship problems are the most frequent complaints of clients seeking counseling. Learning skills to manage symptoms such as panic and anger is where therapy begins. People often have difficult relationships and a strategy for managing them can be very helpful. I respect the values and beliefs of my clients as I help them find solutions to life problems and work toward lasting happiness and stability. My training includes CBT, experiential and psychodynamic therapy, creativity coaching and hypnotherapy.

Selecting a therapist and initiating the process can be intimidating. I want you make the right choice for you. My practice is focused on individuals and couples. I am a licensed psychotherapist and AASECT certified Sex Therapist. I specialize in treating issues that impact relationships such as conflict management, sex, communication and emotional connection. My areas of expertise include anxiety and OCD, out of control sexual behavior, spectrum disorder, interpersonal conflict, intimacy avoidance, communication problems, gender or sexual identity, trauma, treating sexual dysfunctions and more.

I have over 20 years experience. I work with children, adolescents and young adults. I do family therapy, groups, individual and couples therapy. I work with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, ADD/ADHD, oppositional and conduct disorders, bi-polar depression, and learning/academic issues.

Are you going through a life transition or have anxiety, depression, or relationship issues? Whatever your reason(s) for entering therapy, I will work with you to find your way forward. As a psychodynamic therapist, I'll help you to get to the roots of issues, so you can begin to shift outworn mindsets and habits to help you move towards the person you want to be and having the kind of life and relationships you want to have. Therapy offers a safe space to gain new insights, perspectives and tools, for your own growth and self-empowerment. I see myself as your companion and guide in therapy.

Like many modern therapists, I use a combination of approaches to suit my client’s unique needs. My background is in psychodynamic psychotherapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I believe that we’re each doing the best that we can with the tools that we currently possess and that each of us deserves compassion and support as we continue making our way through life. I will embark on this journey with you, offering a space free of judgment and some evidenced-based techniques to support your growth.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist whose approach to therapy is based on respect, collaboration, warmth, humor, and non-judgment. I am invested and motivated in helping you understand your experiences, whether they emanate from unsatisfying personal relationships, stressful transitions in your life, or being unable to meet the expectations you place on yourself. I work to help you begin to view these challenges from a perspective of strength and resiliency. Through a kind, supportive, and caring relationship, my goal is to assist you in lessening your pain through self-exploration and meaning-making.

I am a licensed professional counselor who specializes in working with individuals and couples experiencing life transitions, anxiety, depression, chronic illnesses, grief and loss, and issues relating to meaning and purpose. I have experience working with those diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers, from early diagnosis to end-of-life. I work with adults of all ages, with additional training in working with older adults. Whether it be navigating life transitions like launching, job changes and retirement, or finding meaning and purpose, I utilize a caring and understanding approach in helping my clients find a way forward.

Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 15 years, working with families, in addition to, supporting children and adolescents with complex emotional, intellectual and behavioral needs, Allison has extensive experience working with a broad range of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, socialization issues and neurodevelopmental disorders. Over the years, Allison has provided individual, group and family therapy, working with a diverse client population. She has presented a wide range of mental health seminars for educational staff and parents and led process-oriented parenting groups.

I love working with individuals seeking relief from mood symptoms, to help them overcome challenges, grow in their personal and professional relationships and lead more fulfilling lives. I specialize in both ongoing support for recovery from addiction and support for for those recovering from the impact of a loved one’s addiction. I am also a certified grief educator helping clients heal and find peace around trauma and loss,

The answer is within... With therapy, we don't just survive but can thrive in challenging times. Highly individualized treatment plans allow setting an eclectic approach from CBT to neurocounseling, so you can experience lasting wellness quickly.

Through research, education and clinical services, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is one of the nation's leading relationship-based behavioral health organizations committed to strengthening and healing the whole family system by bringing together the right partners to support children, adults, couples and families across the lifespan. As researchers, educators and therapists, we work with our clients and PARTNER TO SEE CHANGE. By weaving together 175 therapists and therapists-in-training, we create a high quality, collaborative system of behavioral health care. One that gets results.

Are you stressed? Is your body speaking to you with hard to understand symptoms? There's a tension that remains when a task is incomplete. This tension is not only related to the projects we have yet to complete but also relates to the internal tension from not speaking our truth. Dr. Weissman is known for treating those with anxiety-based stress conditions like PTSD and OCD. His skills in mind body medicine and clinical psychology allow him to rapidly assess the depth and breath of stress in a person's life and in their life and to co-create an individualized treatment plan leading to greater self-care & personal empowerment.