Emotionally Focused Therapists in Oak Park, IL

Angry, anxious, confused, or depressed because of relationship problems? Feel your partner never listens to you? Keep having the same old fights over and over? Imago Relationship Therapy is very helpful in restoring connection, safety, and romance. As a Certified Imago Therapist I enable each partner to be heard and understood so the needs of each can be met. Usually couples experience some immediate relief from the pain of alienation and begin to rediscover the love that brought them together. If your spouse won't come for counseling, come alone! I also do individual therapy, including EMDR for trauma resolution..

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or hopeless? When we’re experiencing low points in our mental health, roadblocks in relationships, or distress in the roles we’ve taken on in life it can help to have someone to sit with us and untangle it all. My hope is to support you in those moments and that you leave each session feeling a little more capable, connected, and seen. I’d love to help you get to a stable emotional place when you’re in crisis, understand yourself and those around you better, and go toward the life that you desire- despite all its challenges!

In a word, my approach to therapy is relational. I am at my best when I am centered, curious and genuinely engaged in my client's experience... exploring, nuancing and understanding their unique perspective and the struggles they are facing. I believe in the importance of finding the right "fit" between client and therapist and it is for that reason that I strive to be authentic and fully engaged in every session. My training, areas of specialization and personal style are well suited for those who might be seeking to go deeper in their understanding of themselves and their relationships.

I know what it’s like to deeply love someone and yet not bring your best self to the relationship. I learned how to have a healthy relationship through facing my fears of vulnerability and failure and taking responsibility for my actions in my relationship. I seek to help couples who are highly committed to one another and are facing a crisis or struggling to connect. When there is crisis or stress, we often rely on unhelpful habits and ways of communicating that wear on our relationships. Let’s work on that love connection that you are both are wanting.

Are you looking to make a change in your life but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? I support my clients through navigating the journey of personal growth and transformation, which can often feel confusing, difficult, and scary. As your therapist, I work to understand your struggles and strengths, so that we may walk step-by-step through your discomfort and toward your goals.

Does every day feel like Groundhog's Day--like you are struggling with the same issues you always did? Do you feel like you're not "good enough" or that you're not living-up to your full potential? Does it seem like your past is preventing you from enjoying your present? YOU ARE NOT ALONE! At some point, we all experience these feelings. I believe that we are all capable of growth and transformation. Through a positive client-therapist relationship, we will identify and examine patterns so that you break self-defeating behaviors, create healthier relationships, heal from past trauma, and enhance personal growth.

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.

Challenges in life are unavoidable, but I believe that with the right therapist in the right environment, people can move in a positive direction. My philosophy is to empower my clients and help them discover the tools they need to move them forward in a productive, beneficial way.

From everyday struggles and family stresses to traumatic experiences, our ways of coping are constantly challenged. In my practice I support individuals in the development of their resilience to enable them to solve difficult problems and begin to thrive. With 20 years of experience my depth of empathy and skills provide the foundation for a safe, colaborative relationship. I understand that isolation debilitates and shakes people in times of distress and that connection with others is crucial to healing. I see my role as helping people discover the value of connections and supporting them as they move through the process.

Our providers have Master’s degree in counseling and social work. Our experience has been in the area of mental health both inpatient and outpatient spanning over the past 30 years providing individual psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, couples and families as well as EAP counseling support. Many of our providers have also enjoyed doing group therapy for Stress management, adult partial hospitalization program, co-facilitating parents group, case management, crisis stabilization, and in-home counseling.

I truly enjoy meeting new people and building a trusting therapeutic relationship. To me, therapy is a celebration of your strengths, passions and unique qualities. I would love to collaborate with you to help improve your understanding of yourself, relationships with others and develop skills to help you cope with stress, anxiety and sadness. I always listen supportively to you in session and can help you process past experiences that have been difficult for you. I am particularly interested in using mindfulness based therapies, yoga-informed therapy as well as creative interventions with kids and families.

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.

Warmth, compassion, and curiosity are values that drive me as a therapist and a person. I use humor and empathy often, as I believe both laughter and difficult emotions are important parts of the human experience of healing. You won't hear me dispensing answers or advice, but I will continue to invite you into a process of self-discovery and curiosity. That way you will be able make decisions that align with the core of who you are. I do therapy with both a relational and big picture lens, as well as utilizing strategies from Internal Family Systems Theory.

I help individuals and couples develop clear strategies to reduce feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness. Those coping with marital or relationship difficulties, career transitions and parenting issues find my gentle directness helpful in improving the quality of their lives. In a calm, neutral environment, I offer clients the opportunity to understand themselves in a manner that leads to more satisfying family, marital and work relationships. I utilize family systems and cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals and couples improve their communication skills and navigate the uncertain waters of change.

Even our closest and most valuable relationships are, at times, fraught with tension and confusion. I've spent my career helping people navigate their way through those times. With more than a decade of experience, I can help untangle and strengthen all types of relationships, including friendships, family marriages, and partnerships, both personal and professional.

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.