Psychodynamic Therapists in Oak Park, IL

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I am co-owner and have worked extensively as an adolescent, adult, and couples therapist. My style is empathic, warm, and informative. At times, I am direct and challenging with clients in order to facilitate growth and insight. I draw upon relational, systems, and cognitive-behavioral approaches and tailor my treatment to each individual/couple's unique needs. My background/training, helps foster connections with people from various ethinicities, religions, and cultural identifications. I work with common adjustment concerns as well as with serious mental health issues.

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.

Through my work as a therapist, I have seen first-hand how the therapy experience has positively influenced peoples' lives. My specialities include working with those who suffer from depression, anxiety, and/or are experiencing challenging life transisitions or relationship difficulties.

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.

Do you struggle in your relationships with those you care about? Do you find yourself getting really frustrated, even doubting yourself when talking to your family or friends? You may worry about being judged, and find it difficult to trust people. Struggling to cope can lead to feeling anxious, depressed, or even having panic attacks. When we feel overwhelmed, and frequently second guess what we do and say, it makes all of life's challenges so much harder.

Maybe your anxiety is becoming too difficult to manage or perhaps your relationships aren't working? Maybe your relationship with your body and food is not in a great place or you have experienced trauma and are looking for healing? Regardless of the circumstance that brings you into therapy, starting therapy is a courageous step. I firmly believe in the power of therapy to bring about healing and growth. As a therapist, I believe in creating a safe and warm environment where you can come as you are and feel heard and seen. I will help you learn to love yourself more, grow in your confidence, and increase overall wellbeing.

Everyone can use a little help when things get complicated; conflict is a part of everyday life. Therapy is a space to genuinely connect and develop a deeper understanding of yourself, your emotions, your experiences, and your thoughts. Whether you’re looking to work through trauma, relationship concerns, anxiety, or difficult emotions; my goal is to help you reach your highest potential, while helping you work through any barriers or obstacles along the way.

I've been a therapist for over thirty-three years. I'm passionate about helping clients navigate through debilitating mental health illnesses such as anxiety, depression, traumas, grief/ loss, medical conditions, and other personal, relational, cultural, and social and spiritual struggles by providing knowledge and strategies to establish better ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers a range of services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I am co-owner and have worked extensively as a child, adolescent, and family therapist. I believe that effective treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment so that an individualized plan can be mutually developed. My style is warm, supportive, and educational. Parents often come to me when they are having difficulties understanding and responding to their child's behavior. Children enjoy my developmentally appropriate style which helps them gain mastery over their anxiety, impulsivity or depression. I work closely with parents to ensure treatment success.

My approach as a therapist is warm, kind, and relatable. Recognizing that therapy can be a difficult step to make I strive to help you navigate through the problems that are causing stress or pain. Whether you are looking for help for yourself or your child I am dedicated to helping explore what is preventing you in moving forward in life. I work with individuals with a variety of issues ranging from anxiety and depression to parenting issues and childhood behavioral problems.

I am a professional counselor with experience working with adults and adolescents in assisting with managing emotions, and engaging families in treatment to address the needs of their children while providing support and training to parents. I have experience addressing a range needs including depression, anxiety, trauma, mood disorders, grief and loss, attachment, and attention disorders. I utilize a client-centered, empathic approach that assists clients in feeling safe and understood while serving as the catalyst for client growth.

Would you like to feel ease throughout your day? Perhaps you are looking to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, stress or trauma. I am currently accepting new clients for the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a short-term therapy that trains your nervous system to bring calm and connection into your everyday experience. SSP is helpful for folks with anxiety, trauma, chronic pain, sensory integration issues, and more.

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.

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.

*No Current Availability* To seek therapy takes courage and curiosity. The process of therapy gives us the opportunity to explore the impact of the multiple systems with which we are connected- family, work, home, friends, community- in the context of an affirming relationship with the therapist. Through this process, we come to better understand how we have interacted with these systems over time, the strategies we have developed to navigate them successfully, and how these systems have impacted us, contributing to both opportunities and challenges.

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.

Now Accepting new clients (daytime hours 12pm-5pm). As humans, we experience an endless amount of transitions, highs, and lows that cumulatively come to define who we are. In this process, we may find ourselves struggling with anxiety, depression, and fear of the unknown. In an effort to cope with these challenges, we often develop patterns of thinking and behaving that don't serve us or honor our unique strengths and resiliency. In my practice, I work with individuals to create meaning from difficult experiences and to develop coping strategies that allow them to live with a greater sense of peace, personal power, and authenticity.

Hello! Hola! I’m Dr. Vanesa Cervantes, and I’m a Family and Child Psychologist. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and adults. I believe that every person has the potential to thrive and overcome challenges they may be currently facing. My treatment approach is collaborative, by working together we can develop healthy coping skills, strengthen your social and emotional health and empower you to understand and manage your emotions, behaviors, and social relationships. Through our work together you can expect to also learn effective coping strategies to manage life challenges.

As a clinician with 23 years of experience, I offer a body-based treatment approach to wellness. In collaboration with clients, I draw on my extensive training in traditional talk therapy, neurofeedback, biofeedback, mindfulness meditation, yoga and somatic healing to address symptoms and patterns that interfere with living to one's fullest potential.