Are you feeling lost? Confused? Facing difficulties in your relationships or in understanding yourself? I know that therapy can help. Together we will work to unearth the problems that have been causing difficulties in your relationships or ability to navigate challenges. I can help you to think through problems, discover solutions, and deepen your relationships with others and yourself. I seek to empower and understand you, knowing that you come to therapy with numerous strengths to draw on.

I'm fascinated by relationships. At the end of the day, the connection you have to the people you love is what truly matters. As a therapist, my style is direct, warm and solution-focused. I strive to create an authentic connection with my clients so they have a positive and rewarding counseling experience.

(Las sesiones de terapia individual y parejas estan disponibles en espanol) I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with ten years of experience working with individuals and families who have had direct and indirect experiences with domestic violence and family separation. I am also an attorney with over seven years of litigation experience in family courts both representing parents and children.

I work with individuals and couples with a wide variety of problems including relationship difficulties, life transitions, depression, anxiety, and loss. I place great importance on creating a safe and non-judgmental environment in which my clients can freely explore their thoughts and feelings. My clients report that they appreciate the feedback I give them and the opportunity to consider their problems from another point of view. I have found that when I feel I have a good understanding of my client that they also feel understood and supported by me, leading to productive conversations, identifying how to change old patterns and achieve personal growth.

Are you struggling with emotions, relationships, behaviors, or life circumstances that are interfering with living the life you dream of, or once had? For over 20 years, I have compassionately and effectively helped individuals and couples alleviate distress and increase self-understanding and life satisfaction. Your therapy will be tailored specifically for you as we collaborate to understand your concerns and strengths as well as plan for improving your life and relationships. My work with you will be respectful, empathic, and interactive.

With over 10 years of experience working in residential, inpatient and outpatient settings as well as community treatment centers, I have been able to address issues relating to chronic mental disorders, mood, trauma, and substance dependency. I am trained at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Northwestern University where I specialized in using an integrative approach of both Psychodynamic therapy and Client-centered perspectives to counseling. My therapeutic style is warm, compassionate and interactive, as I use a strength-based model to help individuals and couples gain awareness of the roles and the dynamics at play.

My clients are hard-working and desire a better quality of life. They are willing to be challenged, trying new techniques to move forward. I use information about normal developmental transitions to move people when they are stuck. The focus is on identity and spirituality as themes I weave into my work. This does not mean organized religion, rather concepts such as connections, acceptance, peace, and letting go. If you choose to combine religion and spiritualuity, for your own growth, that is your choice.

Starting therapy is a turning point and I'm ready to help you take the next step in your life. Your relationship with your therapist matters a lot, and I'm committed to helping you feel safe, understood and connected as we begin our work together. I'm a caring and engaged therapist working with women, children and families. I have years of experience as a teacher, counselor and doula. I look forward to helping you find an increased sense of happiness and fulfillment as a result of the work that we do together.

I believe that healing can occur within the context of a trusted relationship. I work with adults and families to help people better understand the things that are getting in the way of living a full, productive, and satisfying life. That could be a child’s struggle with emotional regulation, a parent’s difficulty setting limits or understanding their child’s behavior, an adult who struggles to develop and sustain intimate relationships, or a teenager who feels overwhelmed by all that is on their plate.

Does your weight interfere with your ability to feel good about yourself? Does your eating feel out of control or a constant source of anxiety? Have you tried diets, only to end up feeling like a failure? No matter where you are in your relationship with food, I can help you calm the vicious cycle of binging and dieting, allowing your body to return to a healthy and natural weight for you. Problems with eating affect every aspect of our lives, from relationships, to physical activity, and most importantly, to the seemingly simple act of enjoying one's own company.

Choosing to pursue therapy is a difficult decision but one that can offer great benefit. I work primarily with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and problems in their interpersonal relationships. Often clients I work with report feeling "stuck" in their lives. My approach is practical and present-focused yet grounded in the an understanding of the ways our past experiences may have contributed to our present difficulties. I help patients explore and work through what gets in the way of them leading a meaningful, satisfying life.

I work with couples and individuals using a mindfulness based, here-and-now, approach that invites all aspects of you into therapy. I welcome individuals of all ages asking “What do I want to do with my life?”. In my work with couples, I help partners build deeper connections, foster better communication, and work towards a more fulfilling relationship. Whether you are in the midst of a new crisis, coping with ongoing issues, or looking for a place to do some deep personal exploration our work together will support you and your needs.

At Centro Castillo for Personal and Family Wellbeing, our therapists strongly believe that we understand a person as part of their culture and family upbringing. Together we will discover what motivates you and use this knowledge to increase self-awareness in how you feel, think and act. With this insight, the ultimate goal is make the best decisions that will leave you feeling better and live a happier life. With 14 therapist in 3 offices throughout the city (Lakeview, Pilsen, and near Oak Park) we look forward to helping you and your family.

I am committed to coaching you towards a more fullfilling life. Counseling can help you embrace happiness, manage stress, boost joy in relationships, increase motivation, and unleash creativity. I tailor my approach to your unique goals, using cognitive, behavioral, and other motivational strategies. We will focus on your strengths and amplify them. I will coach you to implement the tools from positive psychology to help you thrive. Through the use of imagination and the discovery of new skills, we will identify solutions and reclaim a sense of control. I will demonstrate my personal values of kindness, courtesy, and mutual respect throughout counseling.

My ideal client is someone that is looking for a warm and inviting space that is free of judgement and prepared to be open about their struggles. They may have issues with relationships (familial, friendships or love), difficulty balancing obligations, challenges with stress or anxiety, self-esteem issues or depressive tendencies. They may be struggling with relationship, thought and/or behavioral patterns that may have once been functional but are no longer serving them. My goal for all of my clients is to help guide them to let go of old "stuff" and give them tools to create a more positive "next chapter" in their lives.

I have provided individual, couples, and family therapy to adults and adolescents for over 18 years. I have experience working with individuals and families from varied ethnic/cultural/sexual orientation backgrounds. My therapeutic orientation includes cognitive behavioral, strengths-based and person-centered approaches. I am a strong believer in "one size does not fit all" and adapt my approach based on client's needs and belief systems. I am supportive but can be directive when the clinical need arises. Currently, I only see clients on Wednesdays. I conduct therapy in Spanish as well.

Your mind is a priceless treasure uniquely created to seek meaning. The drive to lead a productive, joyful, and life-affirming existence, with insight into the motivation of self and others, compels us to overcome challenging concerns with purposeful energy and skillful action. Seeking therapy is brave, and you deserve a warm, collaborative, and supportive therapist, committed to helping you achieve your goals. Skilled in analysis of complex patterns of emotion, thought and behavior, I bring a comprehensive, non-judgmental approach to the art and science of shaping human behavior. For an appointment, call, email, or click Website.

Specializing in Trauma, Child Abuse, Couples in Crisis and those Considering Divorce. My purpose as a counselor is to assist you in working through the road blocks that exist internally and externally, which prevent the realization of goals in your life and the lives of those you love. I am able to work effectively with individuals, families, and couples as well as adolescent and child issues evidenced by my broad experience working with trauma, severe mental illness, substance abuse, and at risk families.

During the lifespan people can experience suffering or emotional pain. Some are in need of relief from the manifestations, or even symptoms, of emotional pain. Others are curious to understand the source(s) of the suffering. Exploring emotional pain and its origins can lead to knowing oneself more deeply (including talents and other positive qualities). Some considering therapy are seeking to enhance their abilities to relate to significant people in their life. Any of these are good reasons to consult a well-trained and experienced therapist. I am available for such consultation, which can lead to a collaborative plan tailored to you in order to explore and ease any of the above impedances to leading a more satisfying and meaningful life.

I have a breadth and depth of clinical experience primarily doing psychotherapy in private practice, inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings, family counseling and substance abuse treatment. My clients come to work on issues such as bipolar / depression, anxiety and panic, identity, low self-esteem, dating and relationship issues, traumatization, and aging and health issues. All are welcome, whether it be due to recent personal struggles or deep-rooted issues.