Couples Counseling Therapists in Skokie, IL

You deserve pleasure, regardless of what you’ve experienced. I can help you develop confidence in communicating your desires, feelings, and boundaries. You’ll learn to not just survive but thrive after trauma. We’ll work on addressing anxiety and avoidance. Sex therapy can help if you want to work on something and your partner doesn’t. In sex therapy, all partners are welcome. You also can attend regular individual therapy if you want to work on sexual shame, trying to date, or exploring gender or sexuality. Together, we’ll explore your mental health challenges – I will join you in this experience as you navigate troubled waters.

Welcome to the Cozy Couch! You are probably here because you want to improve your relationships with others. Maybe your romantic relationship has a great foundation and love, but communication issues, trust issues or conflict have started to creep up and you lost your sense of peace. Or you don’t fight very often but you have a very hard time creating an emotional connection and being vulnerable with each other. Whatever your goals, I am here to help you gain skills and insight, and to strengthen your relationships. To find out more about my approach, please visit www.cozycouchcounseling.org

My career as a therapist has afforded me opportunities to work with individuals from all walks of life. I immigrated to the United States from Kiev, Ukraine and feel intimately familiar with the challenges faced by all of the groups I mentioned. I am able to work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families and treat a wide variety of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, adjustment difficulties, grief / loss, relationship problems, family conflict, and addiction. I am proud member of Chicagoland’s Ukraine Community and am fluent in the Russian and Ukrainian languages.

I am a highly experienced, culturally sensitive, collaborative therapist that will engage you in your journey of navigating the difficulties and stressors that you may be struggling with.

I firmly believe that every individual is endowed with immense potential and innate strength. My foremost objective is to empower my clients, guide them to recognize their inherent worth, help them find purpose in their lives, and unveil the untapped potential shaping their unique selves. Whether assisting a parent of a traumatized child, supporting a teenager grappling with anxiety, helping a young adult trapped in depression, or aiding a couple seeking reconnection, I believe positive transformation is attainable.

You are unique. Therefore, the struggles you are experiencing are unique as well. A one-size-fits-all approach to therapy will not work for you because no person is alike. Each individual has a unique set of experiences, values, context, goals, and needs. I work to tailor the therapy process to meet the needs of my client. Together, in a judgment-free and supportive environment, we explore what aspects are contributing to your discomfort. My goal, as your therapist, is to understand you within your unique situation to provide individualized care for what matters most to you.

Cathay believes therapy is a collaborative experience and that one size does not fit all. Life is complicated and we are ever-evolving. When therapy is client-centered and there is a good fit between client and therapist, change can happen to help people improve relationships with others and themselves. Cathay is passionate about working with families, especially parents and children, and moms at all stages of motherhood including contemplating motherhood. Cathay uses play, compassion, and humor to help locate and change unhelpful patterns and behaviors.

I often say it is my job to help make life better. Whether you are worrying too much (anxiety), feeling sad (depression), or dealing with trauma, I will do just that: Help make life better. I have experience with children, adolescents, adults and families and have worked in both the school system and in full-time private practice. My style is practical, and focuses a lot on coping mechanisms and strategies. I have had much success working on a variety of issues as noted below. I enjoy assisting in the progress and achievement of attaining goals. My COVID mission has been "always an opening" and now have associates too!

At times in our lives we all have experiences that leave us feeling anxious, depressed, sad, grieving, stressed, worried, uncertain, vulnerable, fearful, frustrated, angry, confused, at a loss. An experienced therapist can help deal with the current issues causing the distress, as well as explore the life experiences that may be contributing to one's current emotional struggles. I work with adults who want to change patterns of thinking, acting, and feeling that contribute to dissatisfaction in daily life. Some of those issues include: Relationships; Grief and Loss; Mood Disorders; Trauma; Parenting; Life Transitions; Self-Esteem.

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.

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.

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 believe in the importance of developing a therapeutic alliance and work collaboratively to help individuals understand the patterns in their behavior and relationships, find empathy and acceptance of themselves, and develop ways to move toward more fulfillment in their lives. I have over 25 years of clinical experience with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, dysfunctional family dynamics, self esteem issues, attachment disorders, difficulty navigating relationships, and grief. I also have a professional working proficiency of and provide therapy in Spanish.

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.

As a clinical social worker with experiences in community mental health clinics, private practice, and public/private schools, I understand that change occurs in the context of a meaningful connection with a therapist. Patients often contact me because they seek an individualized approach instead of a one-size-fits-all. My integrative approach to depth therapy forms the basis to help develop a greater sense of self-worth, perspective, and well-being.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, holistic, non-judgmental and tailored to each client. I work with clients to build awareness of the patterns and behaviors that may be hindering their growth. I use humanistic and relational approaches to connect with clients to help them find their unique purpose and motivation in life. My goal in treatment is to help individuals cope with and process life’s challenges, losses and transitions. Change is inevitable throughout life, and I believe that once accepted, positive growth can occur.

"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.

ABBY MANDELL-KIPNIS, a Licensed Clinical Therapist and an Expert in Hypnosis has devoted her life to making sure YOU achieve your life's goals. Today, YOU can use the POWER OF YOUR MIND to create the best, most healthy, happy life possible. IMAGINE living your life the way YOU truly desire - with unlimited focus, confidence and endless possibilities to reach your goals!

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!