Aetna Therapists in Oak Park, IL

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 am a fully licensed therapist offering remote mental health services to adults at Hope Psychological Services, PLLC, located in the heart of Oak Park. From my comprehensive clinical training and professional experience, I have acquired the skills to work with individuals presenting with symptoms of complex trauma/PTSD, domestic and sexual violence, childhood abuse, dissociative disorders, mood disorders, anxiety, stress, grief/loss, body dysmorphia, relationship issues, and work stress. Additionally, I hold 5 certifications in the areas of: trauma, domestic violence, sexual violence, grief, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Living with a chronic medical illness can be challenging. Depression, anxiety, fears, loss of identity, and doubt are all common, and physicians are continuing to acknowledge that how we feel mentally affects our physical symptoms. Navigating the medical system, treatments, and socializing are also stressful. We are dedicated to helping both children (5 and up) and adults navigate managing a chronic medical illness with all of the social and emotional parts that may not be addressed in your medical visits. Our team includes: Dr. Tiffany Taft, Dr. Emily Edlynn, Dr. Lori Burda, Colleen Muchowski, LCSW, and Emily Hahn, MSW.

We all have words in our heart that are difficult to speak. Therapy is a great opportunity to bring voice to those words and make sense of their meaning so we can have a greater understanding of who we are and our place in this world. I view therapy as a unique opportunity to know and understand yourself in more profound and meaningful ways so as to allow true clarity, purpose, and healing in everyday life. We will move at a pace that feels comfortable to you, and, ultimately, we will work together to bridge your inner emotional life to past and current experiences to then provide a renewed and hopeful understanding of yourself.

Here at GTWC, we care about your relationships. We strive to help you heal yourself and your relationships through honest assessment, courageous communication, self-improvement, and authentic connection. What sets us apart is our focus on relational problems, social justice considerations, and the mind/body connection. Our therapists are trained in liberation psychology and provide therapy in a compassionate, culturally humble, personalized way. We always prioritize the relationship with our clients, in combination with skillful interventions that strive to meet your goals. We are kink, poly, LGBTQIA+, and sex worker affirming.

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

With approximately 10 years of experience working in the social work field with adolescents and adults, I bring an array of therapeutic skills to sessions. In working with individual clients, I focus on creating an environment in which they feel at ease and respected. I have a strength for working with adolescents and their families on improving communication and supporting youth with their need to develop distress tolerance and consequential decision-making skills. In addition, I enjoy assisting adults with managing distress, establishing boundaries, and exploring future planning and goal setting.

My specialty is providing therapeutic services to children and adults. I utilize a client centered approach to join with my clients in the therapeutic process and offer gentle, non-judgmental support through the journey of therapy. I meet you where you are.

I strive to be authentic, genuine and transparent with all of my families. If you feel lost or have become frustrated with your child, I'm here to listen and help. Together, lets figure out a solution that works for both you and your family. Speaking of transparency, I'm a kid at heart. I play Mario Kart, 90% of the pictures on my phone are of my dog and still get a little bummed out when I lose at UNO. I tell you this upfront because I expect us to be open and honest with each other throughout this process. In addition to working with young children and adolescents, I also work with adults who are diagnosed on the spectrum.

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.

Welcome, I specialize in working with anxiety, anger management, depression, couple counseling, and negotiating life transitions. (marriage, divorce, loss, career change) I have a directive, practical approach that balances understanding, with support, guidance and direction. I believe that in order for therapy to be meaningful, it is important to work together and create an individualized approach that is a unique match for your concerns and style. Many people who have felt little or no progress in therapy before, have made positive changes with my active, engaged approach.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is committed to partnering with clients to identify strategies that can help them work through life’s difficulties. I understand the complex relationship between thinking and emotions, as well as the impact it can have on mood. I treat issues of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and (sexual) trauma, substance use/abuse, grief/ loss and complex family dynamics. I have many years of experience of working with diverse populations and assisting them with developing and reaching their goals. I identify as a social work first focusing on life issues to mitigate mental health issues.

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.

Higher Ground Wellness Group’s mission is to provide a safe therapeutic space for all people, particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Our vision is to end stigma in BIPOC communities regarding seeking mental health services, by increasing awareness and access to mental health resources. It is a courageous choice to seek therapy and with over 50 years of combined experience, Higher Ground Wellness Group is committed to providing extensive, high quality therapeutic services for individuals, couples, families in a safe and non-judgmental environment that reinforces emotional, physical, and mental wellness.

Through more than 20 years of experience, I have worked extensively with individuals, couples and multi-generational families providing treatment for a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. I grew up in a large & humble home; learning and understanding the complexities of dealing with different types of personalities, sometimes in difficult circumstances at an early age. My goal is to see clients do amazing work in treatment by strengthening their coping skills, removing limiting beliefs, resolving conflicts, and lifestyle changes through a positive way of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

I use a person-centered approach to understand the holistic reality of my clients so they feel understood and accepted wherever they are in their lives. I believe we all have the innate capability to heal ourselves. Therefore my main role as your therapist will be to help you discover what you truly want from life and what obstacles, both internal and external, are getting in the way of you experiencing freedom and happiness. As a clinician, I have been privileged to journey with my clients through their lives and have seen many overcome substantial obstacles and make significant breakthroughs using therapy as a tool.

I specialize in the assessment and treatment of behavior problems in children and adolescents, as well as depression and anxiety in individuals of all ages. I also specialize in the treatment of relationship problems and the psychological management of acute and chronic medical disorders, particularly cardiovascular disorders and encopresis. I help people gain insights into their difficulties and teach them skills that will facilitate the resolution of their difficulties. When requested, I confer with attending physicians and, in the case of minors, with their teachers and/or school social workers. I am on the medical staff of Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

Dr. Brietzke specializes in the neuropsychological evaluation of a wide range of disorders of the brain including head injuries, ADHD, learning difficulties, emotional problems and memory disorders. The neuropsychological testing offered by Dr. Brietzke provides a more specific understanding of brain functioning than psychological, psychiatric or school-based testing does, resulting in more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment. He also integrates the cutting-edge neuroimaging and brainmapping tools with traditional neuropsychological tests. This allows for unprecedented levels of understanding of an individual's underlying brain processes and opens up many new treatment options.