"Across all therapeutic modalities I aim to maintain a safe space, which allows both therapist and client to collaborate and engage in natural conversation. I believe it is through these interactions where a relationship can be developed and certain insights come to light."

"Growth and change are a natural part of living, yet they can be difficult to manage. Stillness and repetition are also natural and difficult at times. Maybe you seek to feel more alive, or respond differently to the unexpected. Maybe you seek to be more still. Or maybe you just have a sense that something is not right. Therapy is a relationship that allows exploration, curiosity, and relief. Together, we will find a creative way through the obstacles you face. I look forward to working with you as life unfolds in new and wonderful ways."

"Loving someone who abuses alcohol is beyond painful. Even when it seems like things are getting better, you're always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Trust has been compromised. It might be hard to remember the last time like you felt emotionally safe at home. When your partner goes right back to drinking, you find yourself begging, pleading, and arguing with your partner to save the relationship. Is it any wonder that you feel angry and sad? You want to be helpful, but it feels like you've become an enforcer rather than a partner."

"Life is a journey with many challenges, and people often become stuck, whether in a way of feeling (sad, anxious, in pain) or a way of being (job, relationship, lifestyle). Such distress and confusion can make it hard to move forward. A therapist who genuinely understands and accepts you can help relieve that distress and mobilize your strengths to move forward in a meaningful direction. As a psychologist, I am skilled in helping you free yourself from being stuck to find the meaning, fulfillment and joy that also can be part of life's journey."

"Your quality of life can improve. It is possible to find happiness and meaning in life. Therapy can be a useful tool to do this and more. Together, you and I can transform the challenges and problems in your life, into a unique opportunity for growth and change. I can help you find your inner voice, build your inner strength, and help you live a life of happiness, purpose, and fulfillment. It is possible to become that person you have always wanted to be, that person who you have always known is inside of you. Let's do this together."

"My name is Manya, and I am trained in psychodynamic, psychoanalytic psychotherapy. My approach is to form a relationship with each person I see, taking special care to note any patterns in a person's history or present that may be holding them back or causing unnecessary pain or conflict. I take great care to notice how the past is informing the present and to provide the insight needed to develop and maintain healthy relationships, behaviors and feelings."

"Sharing one's thoughts and feelings with a complete stranger can seem awkward and bizarre. My goal early on in therapy is to make the experience feel as comfortable as possible by creating a space without judgement and aiming to understand you as a whole person, rather than simply a set of symptoms or a diagnosis. I believe that we all have the capacity to overcome life's many obstacles and live closer to our fullest potential. Although therapy is ultimately very serious, I use humor whenever possible so it doesn't feel like you're talking to a robot."

"Raised within the natural splendor of Colorado, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Yoga Instructor, Lori Allen, seeks to create therapeutic alliances that reflect the inherent beauty of nature, fluidity of life, and the joy of the self. She currently also is working to add more yoga classes to our studios at Wicker Park! Lori brings years of teaching and clinical practice in a pediatric medical setting to her work with individuals, groups and families of diverse ethnic, spiritual and economic backgrounds."

"I use a collaborative model, where sessions feel like two people having a conversation in my living room, versus a stereotypical doctor/patient interaction. I don't view your issues as coming from an abnormal psychopathology, but instead as a reaction to living in a stressful, complex, and contradictory world. I seek to understand your issues in the context of your unique experience rather than viewing you as having something wrong or being broken. My focus is on what you need from me....I take my lead from you."

"In an increasingly challenging world, how does one stay grounded and navigate inner and outer conflict? I strive to help clients tap into their inner resources to cultivate psychological balance and well-being to address these challenges. I'm interested in working with mood, anxiety and body image issues as well as developmental trauma. I collaborate with clients to address life transitions, existential issues or guide those who are feeling stuck in old patterns and beliefs. I believe that growth and healing occur when individuals are empowered to integrate the psychological, social, emotional, creative and physical aspects of self."

"Making the decision to enter therapy can be freightening and may weigh heavily on us yet it can make all the difference when we feel stuck, conflicted, or alone. If you have something in mind that you would like to see change, we can work collaboratively to address emotional barriers, past experiences, stressors, or relationship patterns that may be exacerbating your concern. I believe that a safe, warm, validating, culturally competent, and empathic therapeutic relationship is the foundation for change."

"I believe that we all share a basic desire and need to be seen and heard, and that the experience of therapy offers us compassion, understanding, and courage - the foundation upon which change can be made."

"Working with women is my passion; and, specifically those women who are struggling with anxiety. It doesn't have to rule your life and, in fact, you can actually rewire your brain. "We give power to that which we give attention!""

"Many of us struggle and feel overwhelmed at some point in our lives, and at these times it is easy to lose sight of our strengths. As a psychologist, I help clients reconnect with their resilience and work toward self-acceptance and lasting change. In therapy, I empower clients with a caring, respectful style coupled with knowledge of evidence-based approaches. I provide therapy to adolescent and adult individuals, as well as couples. My areas of specialization include treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, self-injury, trauma, grief and loss, and couples' issues."

""Enter into children's play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet."~Virginia Axline~ My greatest passion and area of specialty is in working with children, of all ages, who are experiencing significant distress in their lives, including: death and loss, parental separation/divorce, impaired self-esteem/confidence, excessive shyness, childhood depression, fears/phobias and more severe trauma such as violence or abuse."

"I offer a safe place to explore the current issues that are bringing you into therapy. I believe the therapy process works best when it is collaborative, non-judgmental, and empathetic. No matter whether your struggles are newer or longer lasting I aim to fully understand your issues and join you in the process for healing and recovery. It is my goal that you will feel heard, understood, valued, and empowered in order to improve your life, health, and strengthen your relationships."

"Anxiety and depression impact your work, relationships, and personal goals. But with support, it is completely possible to feel better and manage these often-debilitating symptoms. I specialize in assisting adults with anxiety/depression to manage their symptoms and reduce the impact they have on their lives. This includes women who suffer from cyclical anxiety, depression, or anger in relation to their menstrual cycles (aka PMS/PMDD.)"

"Dr. Jason LaHood, PsyD, graduated in 2009 from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He also holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Dr. LaHood is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in existential and psychodynamic psychotherapy, with integration of cognitive-behavioral techniques as needed. He sees children, adolescents and adults, and supervises graduate and postgraduate trainees who see clients on a sliding scale. Dr. LaHood has extensive experience working with child, adolescent and young adult acting out behaviors, anxiety and depression. Dr. LaHood also works with adult clients dealing with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, chronic work stress, relationship discord (including couples therapy), and complex trauma and/or bereavement (i.e. friends/family members surviving the suicide of a loved one, survivors of an accident, bereavement due to death of friend/family, survivors of sexual and/or physical assault, survivors of natural disaster). Dr. LaHood has experience in working with clients suffering with Functional Neurological Symptoms Disorder (i.e. Conversion Disorder)."

"I am a licensed clinical therapist in Illinois with 10 years of experience providing therapy services. My goal for when we first meet is provide a safe and comfortable space to explore what has been causing distress in your life. In our sessions we will work together to determine the root of the issue, assess what has or has not been working, and collaborate on how to move past whatever is holding you back."