Therapists in Oak Park, IL

Allie Wills is a relational, person-centered, and trauma-informed therapist for adults and adolescents. She works from an intersectional, social justice perspective. In therapy, she focuses on providing a safe space and joining you to help you explore who you want to be and how you want to live. She is compassionate, non-judgmental, and collaborative.

I am truly grateful when a client allows me the opportunity to play a role in the journey of their lives. I believe therapy requires a combination of compassion, humor, honesty, and stability. I recognize the importance of providing a space to safely process through life struggles and work towards change. Sometimes at the start of therapy, the goals are unclear, or there is limited awareness and understanding into the areas that may need additional support. I will work alongside with you on your journey to help you get there. This will be done through a collaborative, warm, and supportive approach.

You have decided it's time for a change and therapy is a great tool to get you there. We can work on finding your inner strength and ultimately achieve your goals to improve your quality of life. We'll work together to enhance your/your teen's strengths to help you overcome the challenges you are currently experiencing as well as helping you develop tools for your future. I believe therapy is a collaborative process in change and will be dedicated in walking through your journey with you.

In my work, the first goal is to create a safe and supportive environment that allows for greater understanding of the concerns, symptoms, and struggles that bring you to treatment. Change is possible with the willingness to explore one's inner life and contend with the conflicts inhibiting you from a greater sense of freedom. Psychotherapy/psychoanalysis is a demanding endeavor but the benefits are immeasurable!

As a parent, you want your child to be happy and successful. You want a calm, peaceful home where everyone feels safe and comfortable. If your child is sad, irritable, withdrawn, isolating, not sleeping, complaining of stomachaches or headaches, not getting the grades you know they can achieve or they just don't seem like themselves, our team of child and adolescent therapists will do everything in their power to help your child get back on track and feel better. Our therapists are easy to relate to and they get good results.

When difficult emotions or experiences interfere with our ability to enjoy life, it can be hard to figure out what to do. You might feel stuck in patterns of thoughts or behaviors that are making it hard for you to fully engage in life. I can help you move through this challenging time and emerge feeling happier, stronger and more like yourself. Together we will discover the tools and skills you have within you to support healing, growth, and change in your life. You and I will uncover a happier and more peaceful you.

My overall goal is to facilitate personal insight to help you achieve the inner peace and balance you need to be the person you want to be. I have a genuine interest in providing a safe and confidential space free of judgment to assist individuals and families cope with life's stressors. At a pace based on your needs, we will work together to develop strategies and skills built on your strengths, personality, and experience to help you be the person you want to be. The treatment I provide is unique to each client.

Begin Within Therapy was established in 2015. We believe within every person lies a meaningful story. We are a group of therapists who are all attachment-focused and trauma-informed and ready to understand your story. We offer a variety of therapy options to help you meet your goals, that include options outside of traditional talk therapy, as well as more traditional therapy modalities. Please give us a call to speak with our director and determine which therapist would be the best fit for you.

I am a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University in Chicago in 2017. Along with my counseling education and skills, I had a successful first career working as a special education and traditional elementary teacher, reading specialist, and literacy staff developer. Recently, I worked in higher education as a doctorate level college professor for 18 years, at a community college teaching developmental and traditional English classes.

My primary interest as a psychologist lies in understanding the factors that will allow you to take better care of yourself and to enjoy positive and constructive relationships. My deeply respectful approach to psychotherapy will allow you to make good choices and feel good about them. This kind of therapy allows you to achieve more successful and enjoyable relationships with partners, friends, and professional contacts. I specialize in adult and adolescent psychotherapy for depression, anxiety, trauma, and issues of spirituality and social and cultural identity. I approach each therapy relationship individually, customizing the treatment to meet your specific needs.