Adoption Therapists in Oak Park, IL
See all therapists in Oak Park
Rose Mary Spizzirri
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
We have advanced training helping people with PTSD, anxiety, depression, bi-polar disorder,
adoption
and difficult behaviors with children or adolescents.
Everyone goes through times of struggle and needs someone to listen, reflect and help them move forward. We specialize in working with persons who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. Trauma can lead to many life issues & symptoms that we can help you manage & alleviate. Using trauma-informed attachment focused psychotherapy we provide parents with therapeutic skills to help their children heal. I have worked with families, kids, & adults for 25 of years who have various mental illnesses and emotional challenges. Everyone deserves happiness & we can help you through the healing process to restore your mind, body & spirit.

Margaret Anne Fleming
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I treat addictions, abuse, relationship and
adoption
issues, .
Are you looking for an experienced, local therapist for yourself or a family member? I have had extensive experience, both professionally and personally, in treating both adults and children. who have suffered loss, childhood abuse, depression and shame. I am currently offering clients a choice between teletherapy or being seen in my Oak Park office.

Jennifer Quirina
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My particular areas of interest include life transitions, new parenthood,
adoption
, fertility, anxiety, school issues and career counseling.
People come to therapy at different times, for different reasons, and with different needs. Perhaps you need a space to process current or past events in your life, or maybe you know there is a difficult change you need to make. Maybe both, or maybe you're not sure. My approach to therapy is to provide the specific balance you need between support and challenge. As we develop the therapeutic relationship, it is my hope that you will feel safe and supported to do the kind of work that is most beneficial to you at this time.

Sarah Allen
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified
Verified
I have specific interests and experience in career transitions,
adoption
, and the world of performing arts.
Committing to the work of therapy – reflecting on our inner lives and histories to find balance and to illuminate our life’s purpose and meaning – can be both challenging and gratifying. I strive to provide an accepting, trusting and compassionate atmosphere to support my clients’ work.
Waitlist for new clients

Phyllis Laughlin
Counselor, MA, LCPC
Verified
Verified
Extensive experience with
adoption
issues for those who have adopted, made an
adoption
plan, or were placed for
adoption
.
Life is all about relationships--beginning with the one you have with yourself. My goal is to provide a safe place for you to explore your underlying feelings leading to a better understanding and acceptance of who you are and who you can be. I will provide you a supportive relationship as you re-gain control of your life. Changes within often change relationships with others and that can be challenging, even frightening, yet rewarding. We will work together to strengthen emotional bonds with loved ones, cope with grief and loss, deal with trauma, and maintain a sense of inner balance.

Kara E Wolff
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am continually amazed by the human capacity to grow, change, and flourish in the midst of personal and societal challenges. Particularly as we grapple with the developmental challenges that emerge throughout our lives. Circumstances such as new relationships, pregnancy and
adoption
, career changes, midlife shifts, retirement, and older age are all normal and create opportunities for growth. All of this can be stressful and we often need extra support in the midst of these experiences. In a counseling relationship with me, we will walk through this journey together, focusing our work on what brings joy and contentment to your life.

Tanya A Wade
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LPHA
Verified
Verified
During my 18 years of clinical practice, I've worked with diverse populations specializing in developmental and relational concerns common to teens and assisting their parents and guardians; foster care and
adoption
support and education; resolving childhood trauma; and grief, loss and separation.
It is the desire of every human being to be loved and to belong. The only true thing that distinguishes us from one another is our experiences and our perspective of those experiences. Your past, the personal struggles and decisions you currently face and the conflicts between you and those you care about does not define you. What I offer is empathy, compassion, and support with a focus on creating a warm, safe and welcoming environment where you can be heard and understood without judgment.

Rick B. Smith
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
As a Couple & Family Therapist, I work with couples, families, and individuals to navigate the challenges of couplehood, parenting,
adoption
/blended family, chronic & life-threatening illness, and separation/divorce.
Our most important relationships are also those we struggle with the most and the people we care about can also really hurt us. That’s where I come in as your expert listener, advisor, and facilitator. Working together, we’ll turn struggles into opportunity and strife into increased affection and connection.

Michael Hawkins
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC
Verified
Verified
I have years of experience and training in a range of areas including: complex generational trauma, issues related to adolescence, issues related to foster care /
adoption
, school / college-related problems, parental support, family / relational conflicts, depression, anxiety, feelings of isolation, and major life transitions.
My therapeutic style focuses on safety and empowerment. While I may be the “professional,” you are the expert of your own life. To establish trust, I wear my heart on my nerdy sleeve. I would never ask you to risk your vulnerability if I am unwilling to risk my own. I may use humor to foster hope and ease discomfort. I welcome you to question my perspectives to improve the power of our co-created insights. We will collaborate and develop ways for you to make new choices, break old patterns, and build more effective supports. Our work will help you unlock your potential for healing, and get you closer to the person you want to be.

Therese M. Fitzpatrick
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I have been a social worker for over 30 years, and have worked in the areas of family service,
adoption
, foster care, birth parent/adult adoptee searches, substance abuse, court related issues, and law enforement.
Participation in mental health counseling is one of the greatest gifts a person can give himself or herself, at anytime, but especially during times of stress. The opportunity to meet with a therapist and explore troubling issues in a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgemental environment is an immediate stress reliever. The support and encouragement that I can provide will assist you with learning new strategies to cope with what is troubling you in your life.

Mary Lou Friedman
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified
Verified
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist with more than two decades of experience treating children, adolescents, adults, couples, biological families, foster families and adoptive families. I provide home-based and in office therapeutic services. I have found that the home is a wonderful place to observe, diagnose and treat interpersonal dynamics and conflicts. Home-based therapy is also beneficial for individuals who feel more comfortable addressing personal issues in the comfort and privacy of a home setting, are homebound due to illness or disability, have limited transportation options or have young children at home.

Gloria M Cockerill
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, RPT-S
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
My career has focused on working with children from birth through their teen years and their families. Whether impacted by trauma and attachment issues, behavioral concerns or managing difficult emotions, my goal is to help you and your family get back on track sharing laughter, joy and connection.

Multicultural Counseling Associates, P.C.
Counselor, MA, LCPC
Verified
7 Endorsed
Verified
7 Endorsed
The focus and passion of our practice is multicultural counseling using a social justice lense. We work with people who are dealing with issues around sexual orientation, race, gender identity and neurodiversity. We support you in processing how being you in our society affects how you feel about yourself and ultimately your mental health. We want our clients to learn to appreciate the unique gifts that they bring as they process past experiences and achieve their goals.

Gail Zarbin
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I Welcome being able to help you with the challenges that are causing stress and concerns for you. I work with individuals, couple, and children. I can help you improve your parenting tools to decrease conflict. I can assist with tools to decrease anviety aboiut life challenges and transitions. I counsel individuals and couples going through the challenges of infertility and family planning choices. I am dedicated to offering support and guidance to find hope during this journey . I conduct required psychological assessment for Intended Parents, egg donors, and surrogates.

Marielle Mershart
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified
Verified
If you, or your child, is struggling, engaging in therapy can make a difference. I am an experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing both in-person and virtually in Oak Park, IL and Madison WI. I work with adults, children and adolescents, as well as couples & families seeking psychotherapy for a range of issues. My approach is supportive, collaborative, and interactive. I strive to create a non-judgmental environment in where we explore relationships, identify patterns, and establish new, healthier ways of living and relating.

Innovative Counseling Partners, PLLC
Counselor, MA, LCPC
Verified
Verified
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 and Integrative approach and have 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.

Kathleen Egan
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
My focus and passion as a social worker is to provide therapy to people facing difficult life situations. Clients may have unexpected changes or losses to navigate or simply want perspective and insight from past challenges. I believe people benefit from exploring their thoughts and feelings in a setting where there is understanding and encouragement. This provides an opportunity to develop more effective coping strategies.

Mary Ellen Withers
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
I provide therapy for adults, couples and families. Clients frequently are struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, grief and loss. My clients are often going thru a medical crisis, managing chronic pain or are dealing with a family member's illness. I also help clients who are grieving or who have issues with aging parents and need a plan and to deal with feelings of sadness. I am a registered nurse as well as a clinical social worker and have advanced training in medical family therapy. I am a very good listener and assist my clients in finding their strengths to help them move forward in life.

Lisa Wiersema
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC
Verified
Verified
Does your life seem to be less fulfilling and you do not know why? Look no further. Your best life is waiting. I work to provide a safe space and collaborate with clients on finding their inner strengths to utilize them in building resiliency. I work to guide children ages four and older, adolescents, adults, couples, and first responders to reach their goals and experience a happier life. Given my experience working in emergency rooms, outpatient, residential and schools, I understand how the impact of these challenges can often leave people feeling unable to participate in life roles that lead to life satisfaction.

Steve Spaccarelli
Psychologist, PhD
Verified
Verified
I believe that times of crisis can also be times of transition and development. As a therapist, I strive to help clients put family and individual crises in the proper perspective, so they can begin to mobilize their own resources for change. Acceptance and insight into oneself and one's situation are powerful tools that therapy can enhance, both for adults and children of all ages. I have years of therapy experience helping clients cope with painful and difficult situations, including addiction/compulsions, damaged relationships, bereavement/loss, and abuse. The first session can be a powerful and positive step.
See more therapy options for
Adoption Therapists
Does my adopted child need therapy?
Not every adopted child needs therapy. However, many can benefit from seeing an adoption-informed therapist, especially if they were victims of abuse or neglect, appear withdrawn or disconnected, have behavioral or developmental issues (which may or may not be related to their adoption), are struggling with feelings of grief or loss surrounding their birth parents, or find it difficult to establish an identity, a challenge that often becomes most apparent during adolescence.
When should adoptive parents seek therapy?
Prospective parents can benefit from therapy even before an adoption—for example, to voice worries and fears; to reconcile infertility struggles, if relevant; or simply to prepare themselves for parenthood. After the adoption, parents who are struggling to bond with their child; are unsure how to talk about adoption or related issues, such as race; or whose child is dealing with developmental, behavioral, or psychiatric concerns can address these and other issues with the help of an adoption-competent therapist.
Is family therapy appropriate for adoptive families?
Family therapy can be invaluable for strengthening the bond between adoptive parents and children, helping the latter feel more secure in their place in the family. Family therapy can also help adoptive families navigate complex communication issues—for example, parents who feel uncomfortable discussing race with their child, who in turn feels invalidated by their silence, or a child who has questions about his birth parents but avoids asking them out of fear of hurting his adoptive parents’ feelings.
What therapy is not appropriate for adoption issues?
A discredited therapy known as “attachment therapy” (sometimes called “holding therapy” or “rebirthing therapy”) should not be used to treat adopted and foster children, though it was largely designed for this population. Attachment therapy involves restraining, coercing, and punishing the child in order for them to “release” negative emotions and attach to their new caregivers—techniques that are abusive and dangerous and have even proven fatal in some cases.