Therapists in Western Springs, IL

I am passionate about helping people move from pain, tension, and chaos into integration, wholeness, and freedom. I work with teens and adults to help them make sense of their experiences of pain, release the burdens that have been weighing them down, and find more joy. I am particularly passionate about working within the Internal Family Systems (IFS) and AEDP models.

As you scroll through all these listings you know you’re looking for something—and it probably isn’t just someone to help you sort things out or someone who practices a certain way or works with a particular kind of person—there’s definitely something else. But what is this elusive “something”? I’m convinced it’s a feeling of connection or rather the potential for connecting, finding a fit in other words, or as the academics term it, rapport. Which interestingly is by all accounts the single best predictor for success in therapy: how well people relate to their therapists.

Using a mix of attachment theory, strategic therapy, and experiential approaches, you can be sure I will keep you engaged and motivated to show up to sessions where you will participate in more than just talk therapy. I obtained my master's degree in marriage and family therapy from Wheaton College and describe myself as a "systems thinker." I welcome the opportunity to meet with families, couples, or adult individuals. I also have a special interest in working with couples navigating ADHD, families with older children, and individuals struggling with codependency.

During life's challenging moments, most of us benefit from the support of a non judgmental guide. People have told me they feel safe with me. Whether you are dealing with work/school stress, struggling with anxiety or depression, coping with parenting, experiencing loss, or are looking for support with a relationship, I can help you to better understand stuck areas in your life. I see individuals, couples, adolescents and families. I have an interactive, supportive, and open approach. When working with individuals, we will work together to gain greater self understanding and discover workable solutions.

I help people learn to forgive themselves for not being 'perfect' through eclectic evidence based modalities while also incorporating psychoeducation and lived experience – learning to give yourself the grace you deserve as well as increasing the ease with which you healthily cope with the stressors of life; To learn to create space for yourself and gain a sense of self acceptance and self actualization. I engage with you conversationally to create movement and change towards a healthy outcome through a relational and supportive approach. You are doing your best to navigate through a contradictory world.

Taking the first step takes a lot of courage. Wherever you are on your journey to a more authentic, healthy you, I can help. My warm, caring approach combines compassion, trust, and strength-based practices to provide a safe, judgment-free environment for individuals and families to learn and grow. Together, we can set short/long term goals, identify negative thought and behavior patterns, develop a variety of coping skills, and gain new insight with each session. I provide services to children, adolescents, and adults. I also offer group sessions. My areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, mood disorders etc.

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!

People work with me to deeply understand themselves, create more meaningful connections with others, and learn new ways of coping with their pain and life's challenges. Many patients see me because they are dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD and the effects of trauma, and relationship challenges. But often, those are broad terms for more subtle issues—maybe you feel dissatisfied, stuck, confused, distant, lonely, uncertain, lost, or have difficult feelings about yourself or others. Whatever your specific concern, you are seeking therapy because you are looking for growth, change, and more freedom in your life.