Are you struggling with past trauma, depression, or anxiety? Do you have a child in need of a friendly and understanding person to talk to? Are you searching for tools to help you and your partner break the cycle of arguments and miscommunication? Whether you need help with your child, family, relationship, or as an individual, it is my goal to help clients find harmony and peace in themselves and their relationships using current techniques and interventions. My years of experience includes working with couples, children & adolescents, LGBTQ+, addictions, and trauma.

WELCOME! Therapy is a journey of self-awareness, introspection and discovery. Seeking therapy takes courage! Admitting that life or parts of your life are not working the way you would like is a humbling experience. Anyone brave enough to take that step deserves tremendous respect and support. I'm here to provide an open and supportive therapeutic environment where growth and solutions can occur. Areas of focus in my work include Depression, Grief/Bereavement, Post-Traumatic Stress, Anxiety, Relationship and Communication issues and dealing with difficult life transitions.

TELEHEALTH SERVICES are NOW AVAILABLE with all clinicians at Restore Counseling & Recovery. We will work with you to set up the needed software. For over 25 years, I have committed my work to healing the personal and relational damage caused by substance abuse and addiction, emotional disorders, and relational discord. I draw on multiple treatment approaches - particularly systems theory, relapse prevention training, cognitive-affective-behavioral theory, and brief solution-focused theory - in restoring one's dignity and worth.

Since I've received my master's degree I have provided mental health services in the Northern IL and Suburban Chicago as a Licensed Social Worker for over 30 years. I use cognitive/ behavioral therapy to provide, I found most current studies indicate that cognitive/ behavioral therapy is to be most effective for many mood disorders and panic disorders. I listen,interact, and provide you with the proper "tools" and education to help you help yourself to a more efficient, happier lifestyle.

COURT ORDERED EVALUATIONS and RISK ASSESSMENTS: Violence risk & threat assessment 1)Workplace & school violence consultation services 2)Fitness for duty evaluation 3)Psychosexual risk to reoffend. Dr Cushing is also qualified to complete FOID Mental Health Certification Evaluations.. He has considerable training and experience in forensic evaluations and expert witness testimony. Dr. Cushing has worked with prosecutors and defense attorneys in both the state and federal systems. He has been recognized as an expert in courts in the following states: Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and New York.

My focus and passion is to help individuals, couples, and families reach their greatest potential and reclaim their sense of well-being emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I work with individuals to help them overcome and conquer anxiety, depression, loss/grief, chronic stress, relational conflicts, and trauma. I encourage you to come, thrive, and conquer.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS! I love to utilize theories that work best for my individual clients. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and person-centered therapy are the theories that I tend to draw from the most frequent. In order to get the most out of counseling, I believe it is important for the client and I to establish a strong rapport. Before any work can be done, it is most important that the client knows that I am listening and care about what they are talking about in the session.

Kathy believes in a holistic approach combining the mind, body, & spirit to help her clients achieve & maintain balance. Kathy has worked in EAP, conducted seminars on anger & stress management, obtaining balance, & resiliency + managed wellness fairs. Kathy's other clinical experience includes working in probation for court ordered treatment w/ individuals to address mental health concerns, trauma work, substance abuse issues, & work closely w/ diverse populations in a board range of crisis situations. Kathy has also worked in a hospital behavioral health unit, in a psychiatric clinic, & a trauma recovery center.

I specialize in individual counseling, couples counseling, family counseling, case management and leadership development. I offer a highly personalized and collaborative approach for children, adolescents, and adults dealing with a broad range of challenges across the lifespan.Issues such as relationship discord, parenting struggles, depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, and anger can leave you feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, and sometimes even hopeless. Regardless of what you’re facing right now, there is hope.

When we experience difficult times in our lives, it is not uncommon for us to feel like our lives are unraveling. My passion is bringing a helping hand to individuals during this time who experience depression, anxiety, trauma, & relationship problems. Each of us thrive to reach our highest potential, but we all face barriers that can limit us from achieving this. Together we will overcome those barriers and help you create a meaningful and fulfilling life.

I love my work. I feel honored to be able to connect with people and get to know them - their hopes and dreams and what really moves them as well as the problems they bring. I specialize in helping people communicate in ways that work better than they'd imagined they could. I also specialize in cross-cultural issues and extended families, relationship issues and child raising issues. I'm familiar with recovery issues - dealing with all forms of addiction. We can do remote connection using video Conference via Zoom or FaceTime..

I believe in the importance of each individual and in honoring your story, and it is my sole purpose to have clients feel valued and understood, within a trusting, open minded relationship. I operate from a strengths based perspective, offering hope and healing to individuals and families. Testimonial:: "My oldest son and I have worked with Karyn for about three years. She has truly been the light at the end of a very difficult and dark tunnel. Our family will forever be very grateful for her help! Karyn is truly gifted at what she does."

Our world has gone through tremendous changes in a very short time. We’ve been forced to adapt to a new way of living with changes in employment, online schooling, increased isolation and a reduction in enjoyable activities. Many people are experiencing anxiety, depression, increased conflicts in partner relationships and increased stress in parenting. These stressors also make it more difficult to cope with any other trauma past or present. You don’t have to go through this alone. I offer a safe, calm, compassionate space where you can express yourself freely without judgment. I approach counseling as partnering with my clients.

Struggling from time to time with life's stresses is something we all have in common. I'm easy to talk to, practical, down to earth, and really good at what I do. I people just like you discover meaningful and lasting solutions to emotional, behavioral, and relational struggles. I'm here when you need someone to turn to for individual, family, or couples counseling. My areas of expertise include Emotional Struggles, Anxiety & Depression, Couples & Family, Improving Relationships and Communication, Life Transitions, Family of origin issues, Crisis/Trauma, Addictions, Co-dependency, Decision Making, and more.

Feeling disconnected? Are you tired of the same old conflicts and arguments? Do you feel unsupported, misunderstood or unloved? Has infidelity or another major issue threatened your bond? I can help you restore the connection; rebuild trust; renew fun, safety and intimacy; and teach you the relationship skills that can make your love last a lifetime. I specialize in marriage-friendly counseling, couples therapy and the Imago Couples Dialogue. Your relationship is worth saving and I provide the best and most effective ways to help you get there.

I believe that life is a journey with moments including lessons, hardships, and celebrations. All can lead us towards personal growth- especially with some help along the way. We are all equipped with the ability to make choices that redefine our lives and, in the process, find peace in the midst of suffering. We not defined by our weaknesses, strengths, past traumas, choices, or diagnosis. Rather, we are all equipped with the inner strength to change our destiny. Together, we can work together to help achieve your goals so we can live a richer life and learn to play in the rain.

Exploring strategies for life change is a fascinating endeavor. I partner with clients to help them create significant transformations, i.e. help change their point of view about problematic concerns, change behaviors that need to be increased or decreased and change longstanding destructive patterns to new life enhancing choices. I rely heavily on scientific findings to facilitate human change. There are varieties of effective traditional and modern psychological treatments such or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Cognitive behavioral therapy is the gold standard for anxiety, depressions, phobias and fears.

*Weekday afternoon appts. available* I believe people want to be healthy and live a fulfilling life. At times the ways we attempt to pursue our ideal lives keep us stuck in anxiety, depression, conflict or other issues. This year has been particularly challenging, we have encountered many unforeseen obstacles. In therapy I support individuals, families and romantic partners to identify ways to pursue the lives they want and deserve to live. I generally see clients over 10 years old, however will consider younger clients on a case by case basis. I am particularly passionate about working with LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones.

Quarantine, Lock Down, and Pandemic have all become big words lately! Our routines, habits, and jobs have changed significantly. You may be feeling afraid, anxious, or depressed. Maybe you've become overwhelmed by the ongoing social isolation. Or maybe you're feeling pressured by the constant interaction with family members. Whatever you may be feeling, your Mental Health is important now more than ever. Do you have the necessary skills to keep your Mental Health in a healthy place?

We are hard-wired to thrive. Each of us has within us the capacity to grow, heal, & flourish. Yet, we all face circumstances on our journey that hinder us. We can & will grow given the right conditions of safety, respect, guidance, and understanding. Our approach is to join with our clients on a journey of self-discovery to understand what holds them back, to lean in to their strengths and resources, and to help them create a fulfilling & meaningful life. The team at Forest City Counseling is passionate about partnering with you to help you achieve your goals!