Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Therapists in Oak Park, IL

I have experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families who are struggling with depression, anxiety, complex trauma, and difficult life transitions utilizing creative flexible interventions that best meet the client’s needs. I have also helped clients process larger systemic traumas related to race, gender, sexual orientation, and medical & occupational experiences.

"What we cannot hold, we cannot process. What we cannot process, we cannot transform. What we cannot transform haunts us. It takes another mind to help us heal ours. It takes other minds and hearts to help us grow and re-grow the capacities we need to transform suffering." Joseph Bobrow. Whatever your suffering, whether it's the legacy of trauma, or the challenges of our modern world, it can be held, processed and transformed.

We all need support in our lives and on our journeys, whether the journey is navigating a divorce emotionally intact, getting through middle school with self esteem, a journey through grief and loss of a loved one/job/identity/health, a journey of self actualization. I work with clients to assist them through a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting obstacles, career challenges, and communication problems. I also help many people, all genders, who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse, survivors of suicide and those healing from loss of any kind.

I support families, couples, and individuals under stress. I work with clients to uncover contexts and patterns of thoughts and behaviors that are causing distress, as well as formulate strategies that lead to visible change. Often, you as the client already know the "answers" but could use support in living those answers out. The end goal is growth; the client should be able to look back at our work together and see a difference.

Throughout life, there are times when we can feel overwhelmed, lost, isolated, and in need of extra support and guidance. Seeking the help of a therapist is a significant act of self-compassion, and connecting with the right therapist is essential. I provide a safe, inclusive space where all persons are welcomed and supported. I recognize and value each client’s unique lived experience. We explore these to uncover strengths and opportunities for growth and healing. I consider myself honored to walk with clients on their mental health journey, and grateful for the opportunity to help them achieve their favorite self!

I PROVIDE TELEHEALTH ONLY TO CLIENTS RESIDING IN ILLINOIS AND CALIFORNIA. Seeking help can be difficult, but something brought you here: increased anxiety, feelings of sadness or loneliness; things have just become harder to deal with; negative thoughts are dominating your life; a loss, a new job, or a life transition have turned your life upside down; your relationship with your loved ones is not working very well. I work with individual adults and aim to provide a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental therapeutic environment. Together we can figure it out. We can bring back purpose, vitality, and connections in your life.

Therapy can be an enriching, comforting, transformative experience. However, it may also feel intimidating, vulnerable, and exhausting. As a psychotherapist, I am here to support you through all of these complex feelings. Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. I believe that effective psychotherapy must be client-centered and adapted to honor each client’s needs, identities, and comfort levels. I believe in meeting clients where they are at, while also supporting them in developing and accomplishing goals.

I am here to assist others in their journey of healing. Life is wonderful but it can also give us a sense of insecurity and hardship. I have worked with many individuals providing mental health services in in-patient settings since 2015. I later started to work one-on-one with individuals with mood disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, martial issues, minority issues, first responders with family conflict, trauma and other issues that keep the individual from having an abundant life. I am here to provide you with knowledge and guidance on what your life can look like if you put faith in yourself

I work best with clients who hope to more effectively manage life's many stressors, cope with life transitions, or address concerns related to sexual health, anxiety or depression, pregnancy/postpartum/infertility, or relationship concerns. I am a dedicated life long learner, and consistently seek out trainings and professional growth opportunities to further deepen my knowledge, understanding, and tool kits for working with a wide range of clients. I am also a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Knowledgable Therapist, and enjoy working with people with this trait.

Starting to see a new therapist — or your very first therapist — can be a confusing, daunting process. I get how uncomfortable it feels to be vulnerable with someone you don’t know yet, and I’m committed to honoring the bravery it takes to do that. I’m all about approaching my clients from an accepting, compassionate, and nonjudgmental place. At the same time, I believe truly caring about my clients means helping them see where change is necessary to live more fulfilling, values-driven lives.

I am an experienced clinician with over 15 years of experience working with clients through life’s ups and downs. I am especially passionate about the intersection of physical and mental health. If anyone in the medical field suggested seeing someone to help with life’s stress, I might be the clinician for you.

The majority of my training and work experience has specifically focused on the assessment and treatment of psychological trauma. I believe my job is to walk alongside my clients as they unpack their traumatic experiences, while providing continued safety and validation, all at their own pace. I have extensive experience in evidence based treatments for PTSD and have been successful in treating a wide variety of individuals. I have also completed specialized training in maternal mental health. I treat women dealing with mental health issues that come up during and after pregnancy, such as anxiety, depression, and OCD. I also help women navigate pregnancy loss, infertility, and traumatic births. As a mother myself, I am passionate about working with other mothers struggling with mental health issues related to pregnancy or the postpartum period.

Congratulations on taking the difficult, but brave, step to research options for support! I am here to act as a GPS on your journey to self actualization - whether you currently find yourself in the packing stage, are determining your destination, or you're looking to discover "how did I end up here?' My passion and my training work to aid you in defining your truths and walking boldly in them. Wellness is achieved when you can look at your worn-out shoes and esteem them for getting you this far instead of forever cursing the road that damaged them. Be well.

I believe that we each have divine destinies, but too often there are obstacles such as shame and feelings of unworthiness that hinder us from seeing our purpose and possibilities. I would like to partner with you to help you regain or enhance a sense of wholeness, peace, and joy. Without these things the world can seem a scary and overwhelming place.

The most rewarding aspect for me in my role as a therapist is watching someone learn that they are capable of helping themselves in a way they did not previously think possible. Depression, anxiety, substance abuse, trauma, and difficult life circumstances can tell us that we are incapable of helping ourselves or ever changing for the better again. Emotional distress can seem to obscure possibilities and prevent us from seeing clearly. The process of finding your way back to yourself and your ability to reconnect to options can be challenging. I understand that it requires trust, empathy, and honest feedback. It is possible, though.

Currently accepting new clients in person and virtually: As a therapist, I am dedicated to assisting clients on their journey to gain deeper insight into their lives in order to cultivate empowerment, personal growth and internal healing. I specialize in working with adults, couples and college students struggling with issues such as generalized anxiety, sexual trauma, life transitions, social anxiety, shame, breakups, self criticism, infidelity, unfulfillment, relationship issues, college issues, boundaries, sex issues, self esteem, family issues, bipolar disorder, men’s issues, childhood trauma, attachment issues and identity.