Sexual Addiction Therapists in Illinois

Healing can be both incredibly painful and incredibly liberating. Handling trauma and life's challenges alone can be overwhelming, fostering feelings of isolation. I am dedicated to reminding my clients that they are not alone in their therapeutic pursuit. No one should have to heal alone. My focus is on helping those who have experienced trauma, sexual abuse, religious trauma, and identify as LGBTQ, providing them with a compassionate space to be heard. You are worthy of healing and self-compassion

I specialize in working with people around issues of shame that result from addictions, co-dependency, trauma, adoption related issues and more.

We all possess the ability for healing, growth, and self-development. Sometimes our efforts toward improvement need helpful nudges. As a therapist, I hope to join you on your journey in the here and now, walking alongside you, the challenges you face, and the growth you hope to experience. Of course, self-healing can be done alone, yet sometimes a therapist can be a helpful addition.

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.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who has also a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor(CADC) and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology(MCP). Much of my training has been centered in client-centered theory and I also have specialized training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). In addition to being traditionally trained, I also incorporate​ a holistic, integrated approach toward psychotherapy which includes aspects of mindfulness and Eastern philosophy, providing individual, family and couples therapy as well as intervention work.

I would be delighted to explore life's journey with you, discovering ways to create comfort and stillness, overcome challenges, and gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. I hold a genuine appreciation for evidence-based treatment approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT). Through my experience in supporting individuals at the IOP/PHP levels of care, I have observed how CBT and DBT offer valuable insights and skills for navigating life's complexities. Consequently, these modalities will serve as the primary guiding frameworks in our collaborative efforts.

I am now accepting new clients! As a therapist, I specialize in addiction and trauma therapy, employing trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). With empathy and expertise, I address depression, anxiety, and related issues, tailoring treatment to individual needs. Experienced with adolescents and middle-aged adults, I welcome clients at various life stages.

The clients who are the best fit for my clinical approach tend to be people who want to build a stronger sense of self, learn how to center their own needs and set boundaries, and are open to inner child healing. The clients I work with want to change their relationship with themselves to be more compassionate and nurturing. They are recovering people pleasers, people who want to learn how to be more assertive, often have unresolved trauma, and are ready to break cycles in order to establish new patterns. They seek support from me to discuss dating, relationships, sex, childhood traumas, identity, and healing from abuse and neglect.

Whether you're struggling with a difficult situation, or would like to invest in improving a relationship, taking the first steps to find a counselor can be daunting. We all have struggles and need help from time to time. It's important to find a competent counselor that you can trust. I consider it a privilege to be a counselor, to be invited into my client's stories, and to walk along-side them in the midst of the challenges they are facing.

Today you are one step closer to a new you where you feel empowered and on a positive path to growth and well-being. We believe that we all desire to be healthy, healed, and whole, but life can get in the way. At times, events can overwhelm us with happiness and hope or sorrow and hopelessness or just lead us to want to numb our feelings in any way we can find. Life can be beautifully messy and sometimes we just need some help to sort it all out. We can work together to better understand and resolve challenges in your life.

You are a whole person who deserves to be seen, supported, and given access to the tools that can help you thrive through whatever you are going through. I am both sex and religion positive and enjoy working with people who are struggling, or have strengths that they’d like to access, in either area. My main passions include men’s mental health, relationships, and intimacy and I believe that the greatest change in all of these things comes from working on it with others— working with couples and families is the way I most enjoy tackling issues!

Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with and trust can be difficult. Painful life experiences, past trauma and current situations can cause you to feel stuck, depressed and anxious. You may have noticed changes in your relationships, work, mood or self esteem. I will collaborate with you to gain self awareness, insight and self acceptance. I will encourage, challenge and empower you to make changes. I will guide you in making informed decisions about how to deal with issues we identify together. My clients comment on my ability to create a warm, welcoming, non-judgemental space and my ability to establish an easy rapport.

My interest includes cross-cultural issues with couples, individual therapy, and group therapy. I have extensive experience working with adults who are coping with trauma, domestic violence, struggle with depression, anxiety and addiction. My earlier work focused on immigrants and refugees who have experienced trauma. The therapeutic relationship gives clients a chance to safely explore new effective coping mechanisms to improve the quality of their lives. I have significant clinical experience working with the Latino and Native American communities.Clients have the power to infuse new meaning into their lives and experience fulfillment

Feeling like things in your life will never change? Let's start change together. Approaching any kind of change alone feels daunting. Whether struggling with addiction and the family disruption that accompanies loving those who struggle, anxiety, depression, or intimacy and sexual health - I am here to navigate change alongside you. My therapeutic approach is client-centered and tailored to you as an individual. I provide a non-judgmental, relaxed space that is centered around making you feel a sense of warmth and safety. My goal is to provide a space for you to fully express and explore your emotions.

Are you struggling in your personal life or relationships? Counseling is the first step to becoming healthy and fulfilled. I have 30+ years of experience walking alongside people of all ages, including couples and families, to help them on their journey of personal growth. We will work cooperatively together to reach your goals through proven therapeutic interventions, including stress management, anger management, communication skills, emotion regulation, relaxation techniques, cognitive/behavioral therapy, & EMDR. Let's get started working toward your goals.

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.

I'm Sharonda and I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). My expertise is in providing culturally competent therapy to teens and adults dealing with substance use, anger/stress management, anxiety, depression, grief & loss, individuals involved in the criminal justice system, and those who have been victims of gun violence, as well as other traumas. I do my best to understand the needs of my clients and develop a plan together that utilizes the strengths of the individual that can help them achieve their goals.

Navigating psychological distress can disrupt our ability to lead productive, prosperous lives. Whether you're grappling with grief, managing a chronic health condition, experiencing relationship or parenting challenges, questioning faith and spirituality, or facing issues related to sexuality and intimacy, finding relief is paramount.

I believe that as we evolve and grow, our connections with ourselves, others and the world around us can become deeper and more fulfilling. However, when we are under stress, in a relationship crisis, or feel anxious or depressed, our connections to our loved ones and to ourselves are limited. We may be unable to communicate, feel angry, lack energy and feel overwhelmed. In order to relieve life's pressures, it is important to slow down, and become more self-aware--reconnecting with ourselves once again. Counseling fosters trust, and is a process that promotes growth and change.