LGBTQ+ Affirming Therapists in Peoria, IL

My name is Regina Bridges. Ever since I can remember, I have enjoyed listening to and supporting others. My goal is to help people of all ages and backgrounds feel heard and empowered. I find it a privilege to be part of the process of growth for each client I am able to serve. I approach therapy through a holistic and person centered lens focusing on the whole person where they are the expert and author of their own story.

It's not easy to talk to a stranger about the things that make us feel most vulnerable. It's difficult to hope that things could be better or to believe that we could be loved or accepted once we are fully known. I work with my clients in an atmosphere of respect, believing the best things for you that you cannot see right now, working together towards the goals that you courageously speak out loud. After 15 years in practice, I have seen so many people find freedom from the fears and symptoms that hold them back and it brings me great joy and honor to walk beside them as they heal.

Body-image concerns, eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties impact our ability to grasp the life we long for. Simple pleasures such as enjoying time with friends, celebrating a special moment with a family member, going out for dinner, hanging out with peers, or feeling connected to our partner can be a daunting or impossible prospect. Stepping into therapy can feel just as daunting, but it can be the beginning of grasping the life you deserve. I have worked with adolescents, teens, adults, and couples to heal trauma, improve relationships with food and body image, and strengthen relationships.

Twists and turns are part of life, but having an impartial voice that lends a new perspective can make navigating them easier. We all have our own struggles, experiences, and obstacles. We also have our own strengths, talents, and resources. Realizing how to utilize your unique strengths to discover ways to overcome obstacles is my passion. We all have our differences and it is those differences that give us strength as individuals, couples, families, and communities.

My style of therapy includes mindfulness, resilience, and helping clients find the strength that resides in all of us. I can and will be at times very blunt and to the point but I do know that this is your life being discussed not mine. I have an inclusive feminist background and am comfortable working with all genders.

It is my belief that all too often in life, we are dealt situations and circumstances we don't prepare for. We might feel as though we have no support or the proper care we deserve. I feel that therapy can be beneficial in ways that help us understand ourselves in a more positive and healthy way. I encourage putting our mental and physical well-being first, so that we are able to confront the challenges of everyday a little bit easier. I enjoy helping others find strength within themselves, and using this to lead a productive and beneficial lifestyle.

Do you feel that you are “not connecting” with life? Are you experiencing depression or anxiety? Do the same patterns keep happening over and over in your life? Are you ready to transform your life, by addressing root causes, and move more quickly than traditional therapy? Would you like to create the inner freedom in your life that will allow you to create the life you desire, and fulfill your calling? Would you like to decrease stress, and enhance your wellness on a body/mind/spirit level? Change is possible to overcome anxiety, depression, and trauma. I will work with you to help clear patterns that are holding you back.

Do you feel lost, confused, and totally disgruntled as the world feels like it is passing you by but you’re holding all of the strings together. Getting to this point has taken a lot of you, maybe even feeling like its taken all of you. You have used so much courage, perseverance, and resilience to get to this point. This is the place where it stops. This is where you find what you have been looking for: the support, the encouragement, the ear to listen, the shoulder to cry. This is the space where you feel safe to be able to be the most vulnerable that you have ever been.

Life can feel out of control at times, and it can be difficult to slow down and pay attention to ourselves or make desired changes. We might feel like we are trying to survive what life throws at us, rather than living to the fullest. Maybe we find that certain patterns in our lives are creating problems or old coping strategies aren't working anymore. Perhaps after years of avoiding our emotions, they have become too painful and overwhelm us. I strive to create a collaborative, safe, and non-judgmental space to explore what you are going through with compassion and curiosity.

My approach to therapy is holistic and collaborative. With a listening ear, my commitment to you is to use the knowledge, insight, perspective and tools I have learned as a professional therapist to partner with you to gain greater self-awareness, manage stress more effectively and be empowered to find positive paths forward. It is my goal to help people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations succeed in achieving their desired goals. I understand the importance of finding connection with your therapist. When seeking help, one often feels vulnerable. I will provide a safe space as we process struggles towards resolution.

Immediate appointments available! Are you struggling with anxiety or depression? Are you trying to overcome adversity or traumatic experiences? You have just taken the first step in the process of reaching your full potential. Not sure where to go from here? That's okay. I'm here to help. I am committed to walking with you in that journey by building a safe, nonjudgmental environment and helping you to find the answers within you.

"Surviving keeps you from living." Often times we are faced with a part of us that refuses to pause and work through those feelings or issues that can be causing discomfort. Instead, it tells us to press on and keep going. The idea that in order to function we must suppress our feelings or emotions tends to have longterm negative effects. If you are tired of just surviving, waking up and pushing through, then it is time for you to learn how to fully live in your truth.

Whether you are seeking support to heal depression, anxiety, the challenges of ADHD or traumatic experiences I am here to help you make change. Living with the disruptions that come with persistent symptoms like sadness, anxiousness, intrusive thoughts or an overactive mind can derail your ability to experience a sense of well being. You deserve someone who will listen to you, understand where you are coming from and give you effective tools to make the change you want happen.

It was Irvin Yalom who said something to the effect that "psychotherapy is like a dress rehearsal for life". With this said, it is my intention to not only offer you support in therapy but to also help you generalize the skills you learn in therapy and apply them in your outside life and relationships. I specialize in anger and anxiety management for adults and adolescents. I hold an Anger Management Certification. I also enjoy working with highly intelligent adults and teens who have a difficult time adjusting and adapting socially. This includes working with individuals on the high functioning end of the Autism scale.

Life is hard at times and can leave us feeling hurt, confused or even hopeless, but I do not believe that any situation is hopeless. As a therapist, and as a person, I believe in the healing process that can occur through having an unbiased person who is willing to sit and listen to our needs. My goal is to be that listening ear for you and help you learn how to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviors, identify how to draw on your strengths to make positive changes and understand that you have the power to overcome any issue.

I strive to touch the lives of the people I serve in a way that leaves them feeling valued, respected, and better able to face their personal challenges and struggles. I work from a strength based perspective. This simply means I encourage people to reconnect with their inner strengths and passions learning to engage strengths and values more effectively. Basically, it is often a matter of identifying what is already working for an individual or family and doing more of it. Through our strengths, we have the best potential to overcome our challenges.

Dr. Barker is a licensed clinical psychologist who practices and provides therapy to ethnically and socioeconomically diverse couples. Furthermore, he offers general psychological services to facilitate treatment for various marital issues, including depression, anxiety, stress management, conflict management, interpersonal difficulties, childhood trauma, and men’s issues. To further aid with treatment, he asks poignant questions to understand the underlying concerns and collaboratively works with the client to develop a plan of action.

These introduction statements are usually cheesy and kinda dumb. So, I'll cut to the chase. I am a therapist here in Peoria. I see teenagers (14+) and adults. I utilize a type of therapy called Internal Family Systems with most of my patients. This is considered "parts" work (like the movie "Inside Out"). I also am trained to utilize Exposure and Response Prevention as I was trained through BTTI with the International OCD Foundation. I'm not just a therapist, I'm also a client! (I, too, have OCD. Yay.) Lastly, I utilize Sandplay therapy, a nonverbal cousin to art therapy which can be healing for those with trauma.

I believe every person holds the answers to their own inner well-being. My goal is to aid each person in that journey, helping them find their own power, happiness, resiliency, and inner strength.