Therapists in Oak Park, IL

I would love to support you in your effort to face life's challenges and thrive in the midst of them. Clients tell me they appreciate my ability to support their self-acceptance and efforts to change in tandem. I have experience working with people to manage stress, anxiety, depression and OCD symptoms, figure out how to heal and create boundaries, how to live in light of their values, and improve their sense of peace. I am a clinician who has experienced many of these challenges myself, so it's a joy for me to walk alongside you through this work.

Mental Wellness is important. With over 6 years of experience, I have worked with individuals and families in a variety of community, tele-health, and hospital settings. I earned my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University in Chicago, IL . My hopes are to assist you and your family in making changes for the better. The population I work in range from ages 6 to 60.

I provide a gentle, encouraging environment to help clients work on relationship challenges & infidelity, eating disorders & obesity, as well as career & life transitions. I guide individuals through the dating process into healthy relationships. I have specialized clinical experience in helping people recover from addictions of all kinds (food, alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, codependency).

As an individual, couple, and family therapist, I focus on client issues concerning anxiety, body image, identity, processing trauma, life transitions, career change, and relationship stress. My work focuses on understanding the patterns, core beliefs, themes, and cycles that serve as barriers getting in the way of your authentic self and the life you want to live. My approach is curious, creative, culturally-sensitive, and balances reflecting on the past for greater insight with an action-oriented approach that develops practical skills and tools to use outside of session.

I believe that therapy is a healing process. We find the parts of ourselves that need healing to get to who we want to be and how we want to live. I believe that everyone has the ability to create those changes. In therapy, I focus on providing a safe space and joining you in this work, because I believe that much of healing needs to happen in relationship. My approach is relational, person-centered, and trauma-informed. That means I think the therapeutic relationship is a means of healing, that I allow you to lead the process, and that I am aware of how much trauma can impact our lives. I practice from a social justice lens.

Are you going through a life transition and finding it difficult to cope with all the change? Change can be hard. Are you or your child preparing for the next phase of life? Did you just move, graduate, start a new job, or are you having a hard time with social connections? Do you have negative body image or have negative thoughts towards yourself often, maybe even daily? If you need assistance in exploring these answers or other difficult questions/issues in your life, I would be honored to lead you on this journey.

Katarina Berin, LPC, believes that change starts with reciprocity and respect in the therapy relationship. She encourages self-expression, affirmation, feedback, learning, and self-awareness to help clients set goals and make new behaviors possible. Katarina earned a graduate degree in community counseling from Loyola University Chicago. She works with clients age 7 to 76 and, while delighted by all life stages, has a special place in her heart for adolescents and young adults. Katarina helps individuals facing various challenges learn to live with energy, flexibility, and peace.

As a therapist who lives with ADHD, I understand and feel the challenges of life from the point of view of a neurodivergent individual. There are so many difficulties we face every day, and we are not born knowing how to use coping skills and tools to manage them. As a result, the path you’ve been on may be scary, but I want you to know that you are not alone! This is where I come in. I am a trauma-informed therapist that specializes in working with adolescents and adults who experience ADHD, trauma, PTSD, LGBTQIA+, domestic violence, and sexual assault, or are in need of crisis intervention.

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.

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.

Do you ever think to yourself, 'Why does everything feel so difficult'? Work, school, and daily chores feel overwhelming while you watch others seemingly breeze through life. No amount of shame, guilt, or willpower will change you. You are not lazy or careless, you are tired and burnt out. You are existing in a world that hasn't been accommodating to you. By working to accept this and dismantle what you think is 'normal' you can unburden yourself and increase your energy and capacity for joy.

Everyone experiences change in life, and sometimes those transitions are hard to manage alone. Uncomfortable feelings are a signal that it's time for something to change. I can assist you in exploring your options and making choices to put you back on track. My goal is to help you gain confidence and feel more in control. Feelings are normal, but can seem overwhelming without an outlet. Together we can discover ways to improve your comfort with yourself and those you care about, whether you are dealing with a loss or one of the other bumps along life's road.

You are feeling overwhelmed & frustrated by your child's tears, yelling, and fearfulness. You want to experience joy with your child & feel hopeful about the future. But, you're worried about your child's reactions to disappointments & frustration. Even mealtimes, bedtimes, and going to school feel like power struggles. You notice your child seems unhappy or angry, but are not sure what is going on. It's tough to balance everything when your child needs so much and it's affecting your sleep, work and other relationships. You love your child more than anything, but it's just so hard right now.

The client-therapist relationship is the single most important factor in successful therapy. Taking the time to build this rapport is a crucial step when I work with someone. I also believe therapy is a collaborative process. The client must feel empowered to lead their therapy process, while I can support and guide them to meet their goals. Ideal clients include those who genuinely want to identify areas of challenge in their life and make progress. At the end of therapy sessions, my goal is for my clients to feel better than when they walked into the session.

I view therapy as a collaborative process where we work together to disempower the challenges you are facing. Our conversations will help you clarify your hopes and identify the tools needed to overcome the problems you are up against. I bring sensitivity and curiosity to foster a therapeutic space that feels safe and productive. I work with couples to strengthen communication, build trust, heal hurt, and break undesired habits. I support mothers, families and teens. I view this work as a privilege as I share in your experience of moving towards personal and relational fulfillment.

My general approach to therapy is to provide relatability and a strong therapeutic relationship in an environment, where clients feel respected and understood. Developed over 17 years of experience working with adolescents and families with a diversity of backgrounds and situations, I enjoy seeing clients with a range of presenting issues. I have a particular interest in helping clients through life’s many transitions, including relationship and family issues, career changes and supporting young adults (and their parents!) struggling with post high school transition or failure to launch.

Reaching out for help can be difficult. It takes courage, vulnerability and hope to seek support and be open to seeing things from a new perspective. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, and family coping. I work with adolescents, adults, families and couples to help them find greater fulfillment from life and relationships. My therapeutic style is warm, empathetic, culturally sensitive, strength based and client centered. As a former medical social worker, I am experienced in helping families cope through the many emotional and practical challenges a medical diagnosis and treatment can bring.

In my therapy practice, I specialize in creating an empathic and supportive environment. I will work to empower and guide you to develop healthy coping strategies, deeper more satisfying relationships, and the skills and space to process your emotions and move forward. I approach therapy through a humanistic, strength-based, trauma-sensitive lens. With compassion, and humor, I have counseled individuals through a variety of life’s challenges, including but not limited to; grief, relationship struggles, domestic violence/abuse, family trauma, sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and severe mental illness.

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.