Women's Issues Therapists in Northfield, IL

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and I have worked in a variety of settings in the mental health field. I enjoy working with individual adults and adolescents with a range of issues. I use a collaborative approach with my clients providing a safe and comfortable space for them to address their concerns. I get to know the uniqueness of each client, integrating strategies to meet their individual needs. I am dedicated to assisting clients to cope with life's challenges and achieving balance. I have been described as warm, caring, empathic, approachable, and understanding.

Do you find yourself feeling flooded with uncomfortable feelings like fear, sadness or just plain numb? Are you overwhelmed with life's responsibilities or the heaviness in the world? Do you find it challenging to be kind to yourself? I am passionate about working with people who feel stuck, who have a loud inner critic, who struggle to regulate emotions. I want to help you make sense of your experiences, heal from past wounds and move forward with more freedom.

Life right now is challenging and sometimes unpredictable. Do you need to process issues surrounding personal pain or trauma experiences? Are you looking for calm and peace in your life? Do feelings of anxiety or sadness interfere with your ability to live your life on your terms? I have been working in the medical & mental health field for over 25 years. I believe in a combined, holistic approach to treatment. Mental health services include assessment, diagnosis, therapy and referrals for medication consultation with psychiatrists as needed. I offer MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction, Jon Kabat -Zinn approach). Thank you!

Helping others through difficult times is my passion, and we all go through difficult times. As a therapist, I try to become part of the situation, feeling the tough times with my client and helping them see things from a different perspective. Together we find ways to solve problems, tackle situations and create beneficial solutions. My style is direct without being overwhelming. I believe therapy can often be positive and fun. Knowledge is power and often therapy turns out to be a great learning experience, allowing clients to realize their strengths and achieve their lifelong goals.

Taking the first step to reach out for help takes courage. So often, people have lived with their struggles for years thinking it's just the way they will always feel. The good news is that is most definitely not the case. Support is available and connection is truly the key. At the heart of being human is our universal need for connection. My approach to therapy is relational and attachment based; meaning providing a safe and secure environment that allows for self expression is the starting point, the middle and the end.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Illinois, and a pastoral counselor. I have practiced for fifty years. I can help you change and overcome your problems. Using psychological and spiritual resources you will be able to overcome depression, anxiety, relationship problems, anger issues, parent-child conflicts, anti-social behaviors, and problems of purpose and meaning in life. I am able to be helpful to you, whatever your problem is. If you are a person with a problem and is willing to work on your problems you are an ideal client. If you have a problem please telephone me for a free telephone consultation.

If you are dealing with a relationship concern, a health issue, or you are caregiving for someone with a health issue, we can help. Living with a challenging relationship or health condition can make you feel like you've tried everything and nothing is working. You may feel like you're the only person who has faced your specific struggle and aren't sure what to do. Your friends and family try to help, but their feedback seems biased, or they don't understand.

Are you experiencing anxiety, depression or feeling lost? Are feelings of codependency, addiction or preoccupation crippling your ability to live your life to the fullest? Are you feeling overwhelmed and cannot currently identify your emotions? I am here to support you in self discovery and finding a way together to explore what may be blocking you from living your most authentic life. I work with individuals, couples, and families. I specialize in working with kids and adults who are dealing with emotional/defiant/ social challenges, trauma, abuse, and addiction.

I act as a facilitator of change for individuals who suffer from depression, anxiety, various traumas, panic, grief/loss, stress, postpartum blues and depression, low self-esteem, and who are going through life transitions and have parenting challenges. I believe that human birthright is to experience joy in life. Individual journeys in healing and growth are the ways to achieve that.

We are living through some wild times, ya'll! The last few years have been completely unprecedented, upending many aspects of our lives. We are all struggling to recalibrate and find our own "new normal." How can we keep it moving, and even leverage the momentum that all of this uncertainty has thrown at us? What questions are you starting to ask of yourself quietly (or not so quietly)? How could I take better care of myself? Who am I? What do I want? Am I communicating my needs to others in my life? Do I even know what my needs are? What ARE boundaries and why do I keep hearing about them Therapy Instagram/TikTok?

I believe in everyone's uniqueness, authenticity, resiliency, and strength. I will guide you through the process of self-discovery, self-growth, self-love, and clarity. I assist individuals in setting personal goals and visions and working toward desired results and healthy life. Also, I work with couples who may need some guidance and support while navigating their relationships. My goal is for these couples to leave therapy feeling more connected and secure in their relationships. When working with families, I look at the family as a whole, and address transitions, divorce, trauma, grief, and marital/financial problem.

I have yet to learn your unique story, which I know matters. There are a million and one reasons that could have led you to be here. Your decision to reach out says more than you may think. I am committed to working with you to help meet your desired goals. I believe in meeting you where you are while ensuring you are equipped to get where you would like to be! I work with clients to address, explore, and better manage stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, ADHD, PTSD, injustices, relationship/family, women’s and young adult issues, racial barriers, parenting challenges, and various unexpected life changes.

I believe everyone has the ability, strength, and courage to create the life path they want. Everyone can address issues and make new choices. Challenging times and inner conflicts can motivate one to explore how to make life more meaningful and fulfilling. It is not a simple task to address current problems or old wounds, but it is liberating to resolve them. I will guide you in examining patterns that influence emotional distress and unhappiness. Learning how to cope and change these is part of your process of self-discovery and healing.

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.

I believe that therapy is an opportunity for growth and healing. I offer a safe, responsive environment that builds on the coping methods, survival strategies, and the inner wisdom that you have already implemented in your life. I place an emphasis on assisting people in advocating for themselves, which sometimes comes in the shape of creating healthier boundaries or learning how to better communicate your needs. We all deserve to move through life being loved for who we are.

My name is Melissa Pollack, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 22 years of experience helping people of all ages. My clients presenting issues and challenges vary but include depression, anxiety, social skills, relationship issues, trauma and stress management. My clients describe me as supportive, caring, and real.

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.