Therapists in Illinois

Eroticism is adult play: ideally it is expansive, vibrant, joyful, and stress-free. Living in a sex-shaming society damages our ability to have a loving, easy relationship to our erotic, sensual, and sexual identities. That damage can lead to conflict and disconnection with ourselves and our intimate others. Our relational health is a necessary ingredient in our overall life satisfaction. Most of us long for our intimate relationships to be a safe haven from the stress, overwhelm, and chaos of our lives. When that isn’t the case, it can lead us to feel lost, uneasy, and wondering how to find our way back to a feeling of security.

Welcome! I have a background in community organizing, a master's degree in couple and family therapy, and am currently pursuing a PhD in couple and family therapy, along with a certificate in sex therapy. I work with individuals, families, couples, and other relationship structures. I believe you are the expert of your own story and experiences, and we'll work together to understand how the many parts of your story play a role in your life now. When working with relationships, we'll work towards creating clearer and more positive communication, understanding, and insight for each partner and/or family member.

You spend a substantial amount of time pretending to have it all figured out, but inside you struggle with feeling flawed, unusual, or broken, and you imagine that no one around you can really understand what this feels like. It might look like despising the body that you exist in and feeling like your only option is to change it. It might look like feeling like your insecurities are crushing you, and impacting how you interact with others. It might look like struggling after hearing your partner had an affair, not knowing how you will emotionally recover. You want a therapist who can hold your hand and remind you of your own light.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Sex Therapist, I provide clients with a supportive, safe space for free self-expression. Through active listening, empathy, and evidence-based techniques, I establish trust and explore behavioral patterns. I facilitate reflection, challenge negative thoughts, and offer resources for personal growth. Together, we embark on a transformative journey towards healing, self-discovery, and a fulfilling life.

I am a trauma-informed, social justice-based Relationship and Family Therapist specializing in sex therapy. I have contributed to the sexual health field for a decade through research, advocacy, and education. This culminated in a sex therapy certificate at Adler University which allows me to systemically work with a variety of sexual identities. I have experience working with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and TGNC individuals and partnerships, including kink, polyamory, or CNM. Rekindling sexual intimacy, pre-orgasmic individuals, those healing through trauma, and those redefining their relationship outlook are also passions.

I'm a multicultural, LGBTQIA+ affirming, sex-positive therapist. I have worked with clients to address issues of desire discrepancy, lack of emotional and physical intimacy, difficulties with orgasm, erectile dysfunction, anxiety, mood dysregulation, substance use disorder, chronic pain, somatic symptoms, and trauma-related disorders.

You may be experiencing a period of mental unrest and uncertainty. When you have the space and willingness to reflect on past traumas and experiences to understand their impact on your current circumstances, you gain a new awareness that often leads to powerful insights. As a licensed clinical psychologist who understands the need for inner healing first, it is my goal to support you in identifying core sources of pain, confusion, fear, and stress in order to get to the root cause of the issue. By working with you to form a deeper sense of clarity, I am able to guide you in taking the next steps along your journey of healing.

I am a Bilingual (Spanish) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Sex Therapist who is committed to working with individuals, couples, and families. As part of my specialties and professional interests, I work with adults and couples experiencing relationship and intimacy issues, sexual difficulties/dysfunctions, pre-marital counseling, infidelity, anxiety, depression, trauma, anger management, and compulsive and addictive disorders.

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read my biography. I received my MS in Human Services/Community Counseling. I have over 20 years experience in MH and have been successful in working with individuals, couples and families. I have a particular clinical area of strength working with First Responders. I am also trained in EMDR level I & II, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Sex Therapy. I can also provide short-term counseling. My clinical approach is evidence based treatment as I am trained to work with various populations. We offer sessions in Libertyville, Gurnee and via telehealth.

The therapeutic relationship is a safe place to explore, examine, and assess where you are today versus where you want to be in future. Together, we will identify the challenges that keep you from living a more satisfying life and develop concrete plans and skills to address these obstacles. My approach is always collaborative, in which you are the expert of your own experience and strengths. I work with couples and adults with a variety of issues such as sexual dysfunction, anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, personality disorders, and PTSD.

Are you and your partner(s) at a place where you realize that your communication, sex life, and emotional safety are at a breaking point and you need more help? As a sex and couple therapist, I believe that all problems are relational- one of you is not "the problem"- your patterns of relating to one another that have become twisted with hurt and resentment over time are the problem. My style of conducting therapy is validating, structured, goal-oriented, observational and direct, with an element of coaching through in-session interventions and homework to complete outside of our meetings.

Beginning your therapeutic journey can be both intimidating and empowering. My goal is to empower you to harness your own capacity to heal from trauma and hardship, and to cultivate insight and growth. I will provide you with a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space and effective strategies to help you find your best self, within yourself. I believe in the unique power of connection - with oneself, with others, and with the world - and I want to help you lean into it. With unconditional compassion and empathy, I will walk alongside you in your journey to reclaim your confidence, joy and most authentic life.

I believe in creating a welcoming therapeutic space that is both person-centered and affirming. Therapy is a place for you and I work together to identify challenges and develop more effective ways of addressing those challenges. My services are always tailored to the individual and I work to maintain a collaborative and strengths-based environment where trust and safety are a top priority. Ultimately, I hope that our work together helps you feel comfortable and confident as you navigate the world.

You may feel your true, joyful self is hidden under layers of depression, anxiety, guilt, or shame. Maybe you’re trying to figure out how to achieve your dreams of living the life you were meant to live. Maybe you’re trying to deal with being alone for the first time, or again. Or maybe you’re trying to manage a relationship that has gotten very tense, or is long distance. You may have had a negative experience with therapy in the past. I'm a solution focused therapist working with an incredible team and if I can't help there'll be someone on my team who can.

Daniella values collaboration and empowers clients to direct their therapeutic journey. She brings her patience, compassion, and intuition to connect and build trusting relationships with clients. Daniella is passionate about co-creating a safe therapeutic space that feels authentic to each individual client. With a systemic and client-centered approach to therapy, she helps clients gain clarity and confidence in themselves.

The decision to seek therapy can be difficult; however, you are here, and that's your first step. Do you struggle with sexual issues, gender identity, depression, or anxiety? I want to be able to help you go through that. My job is to provide a safe environment where we may learn and grow while promoting empowerment. I work with individuals and couples. I am sex worker affirming and kink/BDSM aware. I am an Afro-Cuban/Dominican male-identified therapist working with the BIPOC transgender and LGBTQ community, helping with racial trauma, religious trauma, sex therapy, and LGBTQ Couples. My goal is to provide a healing space.

Sometimes we may be giving our all to something, hoping for a different result. When it doesn’t happen, these feelings can make us feel stuck and even overwhelmed. My role as a therapist is to give my clients the tools to achieve different ways of feeling and to start living in congruence with their authentic self.

As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Trauma Professional, and Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional, with 10 years of experience, I have worked with youth & adults to help them overcome obstacles sustained through life’s challenges, including trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, identity concerns, behavior issues, relationship problems, and family conflicts. Whether a first therapeutic experience or continued services for you, I focus on building healthy and trusting therapeutic relationships and provide an empowering experience in therapy for individuals of different ethnicities, age and sex.

Lyzanne is a trauma-informed therapist who enjoys helping her clients experience healing, growth, and connection in their lives. Lyzanne welcomes the exploration of sexuality, gender identity, transitions, and non-heteronormative relationships. In her clinical experience, Lyzanne has worked with presenting concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, sexual concerns, family of origin issues, and life transitions. Her work is greatly influenced by her work with communities focused on sexual violence recovery, racial justice, and LGBTQ equality.