Women's Issues Therapists in Oak Park, IL

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.

Committing to the work of therapy – reflecting on our inner lives and histories to find balance and to illuminate our life’s purpose and meaning – can be both challenging and gratifying. I strive to provide an accepting, trusting and compassionate atmosphere to support my clients’ work.

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.

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 parenting skills that can strengthen your bond and communication with your child.

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.

I specialize in helping women from adolescence on to navigate the many transitions and challenges we face throughout our lives. Issues surrounding self-esteem and self-worth, anxiety and depression, relationships and friendships, marriage and divorce, fertility and motherhood, postnatal mood disorders, work-life balance, stress management, and grief and loss can all be addressed in a safe, judgement free space, focused on healing and growth. I love helping individuals realize their potential and purpose. I bring a sense of humor to this work as well as the empathy and compassion we all require to thrive.

Would you like to find new patterns of living and loving? Are you or your family struggling to communicate in constructive and loving ways? Have you lost faith and hope that life will ever hold joy and love? Do you struggle with self-criticism and extending compassion to yourself or others? I practice from a systemic, attachment and emotion-focused lens. I am LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity affirming, and am open to working with individuals of all ages, relationships of all configurations, and families of all varieties.

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.

The focus and passion of our practice is multicultural counseling using a social justice lense. We work with people who are dealing with issues around sexual orientation, race, gender identity and neurodiversity. We support you in processing how being you in our society affects how you feel about yourself and ultimately your mental health. We want our clients to learn to appreciate the unique gifts that they bring as they process past experiences and achieve their goals.

The current state of affairs has led many of us to feel a little lost, overwhelmed, frustrated, or worried. As a mother, clinician, entrepreneur and wife I understand balancing the many roles we hold can be especially daunting in the current climate and provide traditional therapy services for IL residents. In addition to traditional therapy, I also provide coaching services, and enjoy working with female identifying entrepreneurs and content creators. Many of my clients are managing high functioning anxiety or ADHD while navigating a super busy life, trying to fit all the pieces together while also engaging in self care.

Are you or your child going through significant life changes? Do you just need support for hands-full, every day challenges? I work with pre-teens, teens and adults in all stages of life. I use a trauma-informed approach and draw from a wealth of personal experience including trauma, grief and loss, major life transitions, and parenting children of varying ages and diverse needs. You are the expert on your lived experience, so I will not strive to fix or solve. My approach is open, gentle, and caring.

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.

My work focuses on our relationship and skills-building to provide relief for the symptoms that brought you into treatment in the first place while also exploring the powerful impact of early life experiences on the way you view the world and yourself in the present. I believe that the relationship developed between us provides the foundation on which to build insight and self-awareness to help you make the changes necessary to reach your unique potential and create the life you want to live. I approach therapy as a collaborative journey that asks both of us to bring our expertise into the room and use it to reach your goals!

Is the grind culture grinding you down? Are you dreading going to work? Do you find yourself hiding from your family and friends? I offer a safe space to focus on you and your needs. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, depression, & coping with stress. Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you have tension in your body causing your muscles to feel tight? You might be struggling with anxiety or depression or stress. Taking the next step can be scary or make you feel vulnerable but I’ll do everything I can to help you feel more comfortable.

Flourish Counseling & Wellness is a group practice providing counseling, advocacy and resources focused on women's and perinatal mental health - from fertility to pregnancy, through postpartum and parenthood. We envision a world where families have the information and support they need to heal, connect and flourish. To support that vision, we have assembled an experienced group of clinicians to serve clients in Chicago, Oak Park, and throughout Illinois. Our team consists of clinical social workers, psychologists, PhDs, marriage/family therapists, certified perinatal mental health clinicians, and a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

I specialize in working with folk who are queer, neurodivergent, and/or going through major life transitions. I recognize that beginning a journey toward greater self-discovery can be daunting. To be successful in this endeavor, it is crucial to feel understood and valued along the way. To this end, I approach the therapeutic relationship in a collaborative way and provide a person-centered, feminist therapeutic relationship characterized by radical validation and unconditional positive regard, focusing on your strengths, helping you to deepen agency and self-awareness, and emphasizing compassion and empathy throughout treatment.

Does it feel like you're running on empty and always fall to the bottom of your to-do list? You have a hard time asking for help. You work so hard to be the best mom, partner, daughter, friend, and professional. You feel the weight of the world on your shoulders and it seems like you can't breathe. You sacrifice your sleep, diet, and overall well-being for everyone else. You wonder how you look in the eyes of your partner, kids, and co-workers and if they can tell something has changed.

I enjoy helping clients identify their unique strengths and gifts and develop the skills to lead a happier and more fulfilling life. Are you having difficulty with personal and/or professional relationships? Maybe you've achieved a great deal professionally or financially but are still dissatisfied with your life? Are you struggling with identity issues? Do you find yourself feeling emotional for no reason? Unsure about the path your life has taken? Perhaps you are struggling with parenting issues and not feeling up to the task. I have helped many clients overcome the above and other issues over the years.