Therapists in Chicago, IL

Self growth and seeking support is not always an easy thing to do. My commitment to you is that I will do my best to create a safe space to explore barriers and patterns in order to utilize your strengths and build a more fulfilling life. Whether you are experiencing a tough life transition, navigating relationships and identities or having difficulty managing emotional stressors, I will do my best to be a source of assistance.

I am dedicated to working alongside clients from marginalized ethnic and cultural backgrounds. More specifically, I specialize in working with queer and trans people who South Asians, immigrants, BIPOC, religious minorities (Muslim, Hindu, Jewish etc.) and in nontraditional relationship structures.

Allowing yourself to be supported is the first step towards becoming your best self. However, without adequate support, overcoming feelings of sadness, overwhelm, disconnection or insecurity can be an exhausting and isolating experience. This is why I understand the importance of finding the right therapist. You may be seeking to feel truly heard and understood without judgment by someone you can trust to help you feel more grounded, confident, and satisfied in your everyday life. As a therapist, my main goal is to create that safe and trusting relationship to guide and empower you towards achieving ultimate personal growth.

Everybody deserves a space to feel safe, seen, heard, and respected. Therapy is a possible place for this to happen and I would love to be a part of that journey. Together, we can work through challenging emotions, feelings, thoughts, and social hurdles that come up. My job is to hold space for you and those challenges so that they can be explored without judgement or fear and to remind you that you are not alone when the journey feels lonely. I service teens and adults that are looking to learn more about themselves, grow into their values, and recognize and cultivate the strength that is already within them.

Your voice is stronger and louder than you believe, and I believe that every being has an untold story waiting to be heard, understood, and held with honor. We are often given the systemic message that our voices do not matter, that our stories will be outlived, or that our mental health (a.k.a. our feels) are not as important as our physical health. That is not your truth, or mine. Therapy can help you find your voice (or whatever medium works for you) so that you may continue to grow stronger, louder, and be more unapologetically YOU.

Dr. Heidi Ramirez is currently a post-doctoral psychologist. She graduated with a doctorate of psychology (Psy.D.) in clinical forensic psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles Campus. Her clinical experience consists of working with underserved populations, specifically with incarcerated adolescents and adult males. She began her training with children and adolescents who were assigned to a trauma-informed charter school in Los Angeles, CA and completed her pre-doctoral internship at a forensic psychological private practice in Tempe, AZ.

To me, therapy is about seeking wholeness; it is a journey of more fully integrating our minds, bodies, & souls. Many of us live trapped in patterns & scripts that weigh us down & that keep us from living full, authentic lives. As a trauma-informed therapist (& former spiritual director), I take into consideration the whole person, noting that past or ongoing traumas, wounds, & injustices shape the way we understand and engage with ourselves and the world. I help clients draw connections between formative past experiences & current ones in order to identify & shift those relational patterns & ongoing struggles.

As an individual, whom has also dismantled her own shame concerning past relational patterns; I wish to ensure that the individuals I interact with feel seen in theirs; without judgement. Along with feeling validated when going through the overwhelming process of grief, that accompanies change/growth. My intent is never to tell you your story, but rather help you find your emotional language to express it at your comfort. Rather than being your voice, I wish to help you find yours. Which may look unique for each person, and incorporate other mediums such as art or music; as opposed to just words.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, whether you come in alone, with a partner, or with your family. Together we explore your therapeutic goals. I firmly believe in the power of relationships to foster resilience and healing. In my work, I strive to cultivate connection and curiosity in an active, direct, and compassionate manner as you explore life's challenges -- deepening your understanding of yourself and learning to connect more meaningfully with others.

You have the answers - my role as your therapist is to collaborate and bring your capacities and experiences to the forefront. My personal identities (i.e. latine and South Asian), along with my education in psychology, religion, and social work, inform my practice through an anti-oppression lens that is affirming of people on the LGBTQIA2S+ spectrum, people of all sizes, genders, racial, and religious identities, parenting and non-parenting people, diverse relationship structures, kinksters, people who have been incarcerated, and people who work(ed) in survival economies (i.e. sex work).

I am a compassionate trauma-informed therapist that primarily works with individuals struggling with trauma/PTSD, ADHD, neurodivergent issues, relationship issues, chronic pain, physical disability, partner violence, substance abuse, anxiety, stress, depression, cultural identity, cultural/intergenerational conflicts, family conflicts, and other issues. As a daughter of South Asian immigrants, I have always been interested in working with traditionally overlooked communities. I have worked with individuals with dual diagnosis, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and LGBTQIA individuals.

Flourish Counseling & Wellness is a group practice providing counseling, advocacy and resources focused on women's and perinatal mental health - from fertility to pregnancy, through postpartum and parenthood. We envision a world where families have the information and support they need to heal, connect and flourish. To support that vision, we have assembled an experienced group of clinicians to serve clients in Chicago, Oak Park, and throughout Illinois. Our team consists of clinical social workers, psychologists, PhDs, marriage/family therapists, certified perinatal mental health clinicians, and a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Our past can impact how we navigate the present. In my opinion, understanding our experiences can lead to healing and transformation. My priority is creating an open and safe space where you can freely explore those vulnerabilities. This is a space where you can vent, laugh, and make greater meaning out of your experiences. I use a strength-based approach to empower you to be your most authentic self. This approach can include times of humor and times when I challenge you. I believe the therapeutic relationship is integral to exploring uncomfortable emotions and relationship dynamics.

Finding a therapist that meets your needs and makes you feel comfortable makes all the difference in the therapeutic process. It’s one of the most important factors that impact treatment and recovery. Therapy is a journey that should be shared with someone you’re comfortable with and trust. Working with me you will find a sympathetic and genuine therapist. I partner with my clients and gently challenge them in a safe and nonjudgmental environment. I encourage them to explore their thoughts, feelings, and fears in order to understand the obstacles they are experiencing and help them make the changes that are necessary to improve life

Therapy is a collaborative process and I work with clients to create a safe and supportive environment so they can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. My approach to counseling is rooted in person-centered therapy, which emphasizes the client's experiences, perspective and needs. I believe that clients are the experts on their own lives. I work with each client to identify their own goals and develop a plan for achieving them. I am committed to helping clients identify and address the underlying factors contributing to their mental struggles and supporting them in developing healthy coping strategies.

I believe that we all have an innate wisdom and capacity to know the solutions to our problems but we may not be aware of our potential. My goal is to empower you to build upon your inner resources and that's how I chose the name of my practice; Self Empowerment Center. I seek to understand your personal, cultural and spiritual beliefs. Through this holistic approach, I tailor treatments based upon your unique needs. Therapy process is like an organized sport which has players and a coach. Players make the moves, working hard (you) and the coach (me) is guiding and directing.

Do you want to overcome depression or anxiety and feel confident? Are you struggling with relationships? Do you find yourself getting angry quickly? Sometimes life transitions get difficult to manage. I have been helping people with these problems for 20 years and we can work collaboratively and holistically. We will focus on physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of your personality. We will figure out your best qualities and strengths, your personal resources and virtues to realize your true potential that will help you heal.

I believe that therapy can be a rewarding experience for everyone. As a practitioner, I work closely with my clients, using a strengths-based approach, to help create change and achieve their personal and professional goals. By engaging in the therapeutic process, my clients are able to identify problem areas in their lives and relationships, increase their ability to communicate effectively, find new ways of relating to themselves and others, as well as develop positive strategies for successful conflict resolution.

My name is Binta, and I am a black Muslim therapist. As the daughter of Senegalese immigrants, I understand the challenges that come with being a first- and second-generation American, particularly when it comes to navigating the waters of gender identity, sexuality, class, and religion. Regardless of your identities, the center of my work lies in the co-creation of a collaborative therapeutic relationship with each client to support and empower each of them to grow and realize their potential. Through a trauma-informed and values-based lens, I believe that therapy can be a powerful tool in the face of life’s challenges.