Psychodynamic Therapists in Oak Park, IL

I’ve learned that reaching out for help isn’t always easy and believe that we all deserve a nonjudgmental, accepting, and safe space that is exclusive to our needs. I believe that our past experiences, traumas, and family dynamics can shape the way we view ourselves and the world. Whether it is the pressure of school, work, or our own personal life dynamics, we are constantly trying to balance all of our moving pieces. My goal is to help you navigate those moving pieces that can often be overwhelming and/or isolating.

Hello. You are probably reading this as a result of an issue that has been on your mind and are hoping to find some peace or come to a resolution. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a personable, down-to-earth approach willing to partner with you through your current struggle. I support a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic environment to discuss the thoughts and feelings that may be troubling for you. I have helped individuals, couples, and families with a vast array of mental health issues using a psychodynamic , cognitive behavioral, or a family systems approach.

The road to healing and self-discovery is a lot like building your dream house –– you know how you want it to look and feel but have no idea where to start or how to build it on your own. My approach to counseling is holistic, strengths-based, and person-centered. I view therapy as an opportunity to practice authenticity and receive unconditional acceptance. I prioritize exploring your unique challenges, history, and values to help you set goals, treat yourself with compassion, and make change that is meaningful to you.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. In therapy, I work to create an empathic, open, and collaborative atmosphere to treat issues such as trauma, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Identity development, grief and loss, relationship problems, and domestic violence and abuse are other concerns that I help people address through therapy. I practice primarily from a psychodynamic approach and also use cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and interpersonal therapy to enrich the therapeutic process.

I am a psychotherapist and owner of VMA Psychotherapy practice. We believe that the most important trait in connecting with a therapist is comfort. As a whole, the clinicians at VMA Psychotherapy share the common mindset of developing authentic connections, utilizing innovative approaches, and asking the questions of what is each individual seeking in their lives and how can they get there. The foundations at VMA Psychotherapy involve psychodynamic theory, art/creativity and the development of one's own life philosophy. The pathway through adolescence and adulthood is much easier with a guide to offer support along the way.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I believe that we all must weather challenges throughout life, and sometimes we need assistance to endure and make sense of these trials in a way that helps us to grow into the best versions of ourselves. My goal as a therapist is to assist children, adolescents, adults, and familes through these times by helping them achieve better understandings of personal choices, strengths, and resilience. In this way, clients come to see themselves as individuals that are capable of change in order to live fulfilling lives.

I work best with clients who are troubled by anxiety, depression, relationship issues, losses or trauma, and life transition issues. I provide individual and family therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. I use a variety of treatment techniques including cognitive, psychodynamic , and client-centered therapies as well as behavior management strategies. My research on coping with traumatic life events has prepared me well to work with clients who have experienced trauma and crisis. A life crisis can be debilitating at first, but can lead to a search for meaning and dramatic new growth. It is exciting for me to accompany clients in this process!

My therapeutic approach creates an environment in sessions where clients are able to transcend their challenges by finding new strengths they did not realize they had, and by rediscovering those strengths that may have been forgotten. By redefining your sense of self, you develop insights and skills that enable you to reclaim who you are. As I partner with you on this transformative journey, you will identify the patterns of thought and behaviors that often interfere with more positive outcome. The best client comes to treatment realizing the rewards that come with putting forth effort to obtain desired results.

Hannah approaches therapy as a dance between the client and the therapist, where she allows the client to lead her on their journey. Hannah creates a space of both comfort and depth that allows clients to explore the inner workings of their minds as well as their day-to-day lives and relationships. With attention to both past and present aspects of her client’s experiences, Hannah holds the space for both exploration and solution-seeking.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. In therapy, I tend to take a collaborative, egalitarian approach to treatment. I am open and nonjudgmental, and I take special time to tailor treatment approaches to fit each individual therapeutic relationship. I practice from a predominately existential-phenomenological framework where individual needs, meaning-making, and pursuit of happiness are emphasized. I also incorporate elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and attachment theory as needed.

My primary goal in working with clients is to provide a compassionate, accepting, mindful space to create an opportunity for clients to work towards the person they would like to be. I support individuals and families who are chronically distressed with a commitment to honesty and compassion. I am experienced with depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, adjustment difficulties, family conflict, and trauma. My training is in psychodynamic and family systems therapy, and I utilize modern approaches as well to individualize treatment to client's needs.

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.

We all feel overwhelmed and stressed at times and need a place to sort through our thoughts and feelings. I aim to provide a calm and safe space for you to process and explore what your are experiencing. I am a warm and compassionate therapist using an eclectic approach, that is tailored to each individual. Focusing on your strengths, we can work together to reach your goals. I believe, I am best suited to provide either talk therapy or art therapy to individual adults.

Life can be challenging, sometimes we don't know what is causing us to be uncomfortable; we just know that we are. Regardless of the reason, therapy can help you process feelings that cause pain or discomfort. I provide a safe space to identify the strengths that have brought you to this point in your life and help you learn how to use those strengths to work through some of the challenges. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, feelings of low self-worth or just trying to help everyday life feel a little easier.

I have many years of experience in mental health and addiction settings, and have a strong interest in working with professional and young adult populations struggling with depression, stress, grief, life transitions, anxiety, addiction and recovery. My training has been in helping individuals recover from difficult relationships, enhancing coping skills, prioritizing self-care, and the promotion of positive communication skills. I am also interested in how art and creativity can help individuals access their strength and resiliency in the face of life’s challenges.

I love to work collaboratively to explore one’s personal experiences and identity to help facilitate healing and self-growth. I have experience working with clients who have struggled with a wide range of mental health disorders including PTSD, substance use, and positive identity formulation. In addition to art therapy interventions, I use other counseling techniques in an eclectic approach, integrating mindfulness, CBT, DBT, and psychodynamic theory. As an art therapist, I also identify as an artist. This provides my clients many opportunities to learn more about themselves while also learning art skills.

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor who works from a client-centered, multicultural, strength based, trauma-informed, and psychodynamic perspective. I view the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative process in which your experience is both acknowledged and valued. I believe that past experiences influence people’s lives in various ways, from how people see themselves, relate to others, and view the environment around them. I approach each client with honesty, creativity, and empathy. My role in therapy is to help people find the tools to live their lives successfully.

Treatment is about promoting change, and this change must come from within. I ask a great deal from clients when I ask them to change; this journey requires both the client and myself to work collaboratively and deeply. While my therapeutic approach is greatly influenced by psychoanalysis and relational therapy, I also employ aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, specifically, the principle of radical genuineness to build rapport with my clients. I aim to provide my clients the space to explore underlying feelings, thought processes and behaviors, and the support needed to engage with the therapy process.