Blue Cross Therapists in Skokie, IL

I believe in the profound power of resiliency and that we all have the capacity to heal, to recover, and to thrive after we endure painful experiences, loss, and trauma. I am committed to the co-creation of a safe and trusting relationship that can support healing connection and an understanding of how to re-engage in relationships with new awareness. Whether you have experienced some recent stressors or are working to heal from bigger losses and trauma, I can support you in navigating what comes next.

We start developing as parents way before our first is born and even before we become pregnant. We start developing as parents when we play with our dolls or play house and imagine the family we will have, the parents we are going to be. Sometimes our dreams do not become a reality. Whether you were diagnosed with infertility, experienced pregnancy loss, postpartum blues, depression, anxiety, or are struggling to connect with your baby. From conception to graduation, these processes are often emotionally charged and can take a toll on your life. Therapy can often provide the space and support necessary to regroup and recover.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, Night Eating Syndrome, Traumatic Stress, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I am particularly interested in the relationship between traumatic stress and eating pathology as well as trauma and sleep. I also specialize in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, DBT PE, Exposure and Response Prevention, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and EMDR. I am an Assistant Professor at the Northwestern University Medical School in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences.

Life is challenging and you may have worries, sadness, grief, a feeling of frustration in your work or a lack of connection to others. Therapy may seem daunting but it doesn't have to be. It is that very special place where you look at yourself with courage, compassion, and curiosity, without judgment or blame. It is the place to grow, change, to be seen and not alone. You already have the strengths and gifts to draw on, to deal with any challenge or concern, you just need to take the time and effort to do this for yourself.

I am a licensed professional counselor providing individual and family therapy in Polish and English language. I like to establish an open communication and trust with my clients, so we can better understand each other. Through an effective communication, I can help my clients develop guidelines for making accurate life decisions. I like working with children to help them achieve their full potential in life. I use variety of psychological testing to better understand my client's behavior, skills, thoughts, and personality. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behavioral therapy program.

Dr. Ellison sees adult patients (16+) for comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations and has expertise not only in adults with concerns about changes in memory and/or thinking, but also in assessing younger adults for ruling out potentially undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ADHD, ASD). Dr. Ellison also has some openings for virtual private-pay cognitive rehabilitation, utilizing each patient’s unique strengths to improve and remediate cognitive and as well as daily functioning, aiming to promote overall wellness and independence.

I work from a "empathy above all" perspective and am extremely individualized in my approach with regards to client needs. Therapy is not "one size fits all," and neither is recovery; recovery from trauma, substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder, toxic relationships, disordered eating, and more. These are only a few examples of the issues I am qualified to work with.

The world can be a frightening, difficult place, and we all need a safe place where we can feel seen, valued, and appreciated for who we are. My practice is primarily informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with a client centered base. I believe that a strong, supportive therapeutic relationship is the cornerstone of all change. I have and still do work with a wide range of clients from diverse backgrounds and with diverse presenting concerns.

Do you feel unfulfilled, in a rut, anxious, depressed or just frustrated that your not living your life to your full potential? Do you feel dissatisfied with your relationships or with your job or career? Do you feel that there is more to life and that you wish you could get more focused and motivated and have more meaning and purpose in your life? I have helped many people with these types of struggles and challenges and I feel that I can be of help to you as well.

Being a human is hard! But you don’t have to manage it all by yourself. The beauty of therapy is having someone who can help you carry your load, and maybe even lighten it. I enjoy working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and of all ages. I have extensive experience helping children, adolescents, and adults navigate challenges related to ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, OCD, anxiety, depression, romantic and family relationships, stress, attachment, self-regulation, and adjustment to life changes.

Many people come to me saying that they don't recognize themselves anymore or that they are not living the life they want to be living. They might feel plagued with negative thoughts, fear, anxiety and overall feel stuck because the things they were using to cope in the past are not helping them now. If you have been feeling this way, you are not alone! I have spent my career working in clinical leadership and providing care for clients struggling with eating disorders, PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression & body image concerns. I believe in providing empathy + evidenced-based treatments and the power of healing in community.

Experience CHANGE and RESOLUTION. You're not alone in your struggles.My purpose is to support you through crisis, and facilitate positive CHANGES in your life. In a warm, safe and empowering environment,I will help you gain a greater awareness of your choices,better understanding of present circumstances, and transform anxiety, frustration and anger into forward movement and action. My vast experience in providing relief from emotional pain and fear, healing wounds of trauma and loss, reducing stress, and mending love and family relationships will help you achieve an overall sense of well-being, balance and direction.

When we live our lives in a state of constant fight-or-flight, we can go into survival mode. Worries, phobias, panic attacks, trauma, obsessive thoughts, avoidant behavior, and/or repetitive/compulsive behaviors can make us feel hopeless and helpless. We can find ourselves overthinking, overanalyzing, and feeling powerless. If you're feeling like life hasn't been moving in a positive direction, find yourself in a state of hypervigilence due to trauma and/or frozen by fears and uncertainty, you CAN find your way out - sometimes we just need some extra support to do so.

I believe that therapy can be a rewarding experience for everyone. As a practitioner, I work closely with my clients, using a strengths-based approach, to help create change and achieve their personal and professional goals. By engaging in the therapeutic process, my clients are able to identify problem areas in their lives and relationships, increase their ability to communicate effectively, find new ways of relating to themselves and others, as well as develop positive strategies for successful conflict resolution.

Each and every person is born with unique strengths and vast potential to achieve. Oftentimes, though, life's challenges get in the way. It may be external stressors, traumatic experiences or our own dysfunctional thoughts and patterns of behavior that make it difficult to live a satisfying and fulfilling life. Entering into a therapeutic relationship of acceptance and trust can serve as a turning point for achieving growth and change.

Sometimes, people are overwhelmed by the thought of changing feelings, behaviors, and patterns that may have long histories or that have resisted previous efforts. I firmly believe therapy offers solid reasons to have hope, as one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is the time and space for healing and growth. It also offers a valuable way of understanding the dynamics of change, wherein small, gradual strides assume their genuine and crucial importance. Additionally, setbacks are recognized as a natural and manageable part of the change process rather than a denial of it.

"Experience CHANGE and RESOLUTION. You're not alone in your struggles.My purpose is to support you through crisis, and facilitate positive CHANGES in your life. In a warm, safe and empowering environment,I will help you gain a greater awareness of your choices,better understanding of present circumstances, and transform anxiety, frustration and anger into forward movement and action. My vast experience in providing relief from emotional pain and fear, healing wounds of trauma and loss, reducing stress, and mending love and family relationships will help you achieve an overall sense of well-being, balance and direction.

When it comes to mental health treatment, our approach is simple and unique: our accomplished team of physicians and therapists work together to diagnose and treat your body, mind and spirit as a whole. We are one of the few practices combining traditional treatment with evidence-based alternative therapies, all under one roof. We are privileged to have changed the lives of many families in Chicago's North Shore, as well as out-of-state and foreign visitors. Our "whole body" approach to treating mental health conditions is supported by clinical studies. These include but are not limited to: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), diet and exercise, spiritual/social evaluation, yoga and art therapy. Many still focus only on the brain, treating symptoms, not causes. In many cases they over-prescribe medications. While our physicians do prescribe medications as needed, what sets us apart is our commitment to explore all options. We search for root causes and provide the most appropriate treatment, not merely the most convenient one. When we do prescribe, we go the extra mile to customize a plan that minimizes side effects. You and your family deserve the best in healthcare!

I am a trauma-informed, Licensed Social Worker who takes a flexible, strengths-based, and solution focused approach with clients. I work to build rapport and establish a genuine connection to make sessions as comfortable and casual as possible. With a special interest in working with teens and young adults, I pull therapeutic techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.