Psychodynamic Therapists in Rockford, IL

I believe everyone has the narrative to their own story and the answer they seek is within; sometimes it just needs a little compassionate digging. Because therapy isn't a life time based resource, I believe in empowering individuals to discover their own inner resource pool and teach new coping techniques to continue to build resilience and self compassion. My approach is race informed, trauma informed, and LGBTQIA+ friendly. The systems built around us exacerbate the amount of trauma we experience and further damage our capacity for recovery.

Welcome! I believe that one of the essential ingredients of change and transformative psychotherapy is the relationship between the individual and the therapist. Feeling understood and comfortable not only helps reduce one's symptoms, encouraging self-acceptance, but also leads toward deeper work which promotes lasting change and a deeper experience of one's unique self.

Recent years have taken a toll on individual mental health as well as relationships. Connection and attachment have become a struggle as we all try to discover this new "normal" we find ourselves in. Stress is a common companion, values are being tested, and many are on a journey for increased self-awareness. My approach is to help you find a sense of security, safety, and direction through a collaborative and strengths based approach. I use a combination of approaches to ensure that I am meeting clients where they are without judgment.

Being human is challenging. Who someone believes they 'should' be is often different than who the feeling parts of them 'want' to be. Conflict between thoughts and emotions can manifest as any number of mental health conditions including chronic anxiety, prolonged grief, post-traumatic stress, and depressed mood. As a psychotherapist, I help people to better understand and cultivate a relationship with the emotional parts of their mind. Our work together will focus less on 'fixing' or 'blocking' distressing emotions and more on learning how to integrate these important aspects of your mind into a more healthy and authentic you.

If you are feeling sad, alone, hopeless, anxious, overwhelmed or a mix of emotions, I am here to help! I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois and an Advanced Practice Social Worker in the State of Wisconsin. I work with individuals, groups, and couples who are having a wide range of emotions or concerns. I enjoy working with a diverse population including young children, adolescents, adults and geriatric individuals. I also provide therapeutic services in the homes of older adults who are homebound and in retirement facilities.

Do you ever wonder is there more to life, more happiness, fulfillment? I have worked with a variety of populations including children and adults that are in crisis in the community, involved with the foster care system of Illinois (DCFS), struggle with self-esteem, confidence and feelings of loneliness. I’m known for cultivating self development, self care and determination; specializing in helping you connect with your fullest potential. As a team we will begin shifting your paradigm, developing a new attitude with new results, you desire.

Does your life, or at least some pieces of it, seem completely overwhelming? Have you felt like you don't have the answers or you're unsure where to go from here? That's where I come in. I work with my clients by meeting them where they are emotionally. We develop and discuss goals and then work toward meeting those goals - together. I want to help you by making things seem more manageable - whether that means relationships, work, family, health related scenarios. I will help you develop individual skills that you can utilize and work with you to grow into the person and/or life that you desire.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by sadness or anxiety? Overwhelmed by family issues? Gripped by job stressors? Are you struggling with a divorce? Having conflicts in your relationship or going through a break-up? Getting triggered by old traumas? The people that I work with want more from life: joy, peace, and satisfaction. I can help you achieve your goals & find a better way of living.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Rockford. I have a Ph.D., in Counseling Psychology from Andrews University, an APA accredited program. I approach mental health and emotional wellness from an insight oriented perspective. I believe that an understanding of one’s early childhood environment is essential to an understanding of one’s functioning in adulthood. It allows clients to gain insight into their anxieties, depression, mood dysregulation, emotional problems, and inner conflicts.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a broad range of experience counseling children, adolescents, and adults. I am committed to assisting individuals, couples, and families in their unique life circumstances. I believe that I can best help others by being a warm, welcoming and sincere person. I treat issues such as depression, anxiety, abuse and trauma. I also work with children and adolescents who are having behavior problems in school. I tend to have an eclectic approach, often using cognitive behavioral and solution focused counseling techniques.

We are hard-wired to thrive. Each of us has within us the capacity to grow, heal, & flourish. Yet, we all face circumstances on our journey that hinder us. We can & will grow given the right conditions of safety, respect, guidance, and understanding. Our approach is to join with our clients on a journey of self-discovery to understand what holds them back, to lean in to their strengths and resources, and to help them create a fulfilling & meaningful life. The team at Forest City Counseling is passionate about partnering with you to help you achieve your goals!

Life isn't easy and we are not born all knowing. Throughout our life span, we face exciting and terrifying situations that impact the way we function every day and how we interact with others. Then, we feel like we are the only ones suffering, and feelings of loneliness emerge. Our first reaction is to hide and portray that we are doing fine. Then we try dealing with the problem on our own. Later, we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed. We start experiencing extreme difficulties just trying to deal with simple daily life tasks. This is where I come in!

I try to establish a good therapeutic relationship with my clients by striving to make them feel understood. I also try to make my clients feel relaxed by providing therapy in a welcoming, comfortable environment.

Feeling a little overwhelmed, stressed, anxious, depressed, and tired, ...? You're not alone. In this day and age we are consumed with incoming information from our environment, but our brains are not equipped with the processing speeds of a computer so we end up feeling overwhelmed and symptomatic. If your goal is to reduce symptoms and find some peace, I can help you to achieve this. I utilize current brain research with evidence-based practices to provide you with knowledge, support and motivation to live a more enjoyable and meaningful life. I am available in person and online to meet your individual needs.

Relationships in Crisis: We Have Several Private Couples/Marriage Workshops & Individual Sessions, in order to Rapidly Accelerate Your Healing & Your Communication Process (Traditional 45 min. sessions Simply Does Not Work). During these 2 to 4 weeks, we will see both of you Together & Individually, as well as Help each of you Learn the Art of Empathy, Sensitivity & Compassion. These Workshops are Informative & Powerful, in order to Accelerate the Healing Process & Stop any further Damage from Occurring. In Addition, Our Success RATE is 85% of Our Couples that have Successfully Completed Our Couples Workshops or Alcohol Treatment.

I am an experienced Therapist with a long-standing reputation for establishing and maintaining a safe and trusting environment where an Individual/Couple/Family and/or Group can give voice to their past and present narratives, identify Strengths and Vulnerabilities and address the Body/Mind Connection. Over the years, Ive found that making the decision to talk about what is heavy on your mind/heart will put you on the path to self-awareness and the opportunity to develop a true relationship with yourself and in turn, with others.

My name is Jeff Zajkowski and for the past 18 years I have dedicated myself to helping individuals with mental health, addiction and substance abuse issues. I utilize multiple treatment techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, DBT, client-centered therapy, rational emotive behavioral therapy and psychoanalytic theory. I also have specific training in rapport building, breakthrough techniques and in pinpointing crucial onset events. I work with adults and adolescents. For your convenience I also use HIPPA compliant video chat for sessions.

My ideal client is one who wants to build a collaborative relationship to work towards their goals. Connection and trust are two of the most important qualities a client and therapist can share. In order to work together, it is important to feel comfortable and as though your needs are being met. I love clients who are motivated for change. I truly enjoy being part of your journey!

I primarily work with teenagers and adults, however have enjoyed working clients of all ages. I have worked with countless clients who were struggling with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, LGBTQIA+ issues, phase of life problems, marital conflict, work issues, anger, and self-esteem to name a few. I find the therapeutic relationship most beneficial when clients are willing to engage during session and implement therapeutic skills and strategies into their daily lives.