Family Therapy in Chicago, IL

At Forest Path Therapy, we will walk with you on your journey and support you in your work. We believe that the most important factors in therapy are feeling like you are comfortable talking with your therapist and where you feel heard and understood. We start by learning who you are and what your life looks like. Instead of focusing just on what’s wrong, we pay attention to your whole life - what is working and what you would like to change. We believe therapy works best when we work together to examine the different sides of a problem together and provide support and space for you to decide how to move forward.

Often in times of stress, we don’t even realize how much emotional energy we are using just to get through the day. Whether you’re finding yourself feeling overwhelmed, stressed, in pain, alone, facing difficulties with family members, or experiencing recurring issues in close relationships, being able to talk about it can bring relief and even be life changing. Having a safe, nonjudgmental therapeutic space to address difficult, painful, or overwhelming feelings or problems can equip you to manage the adverse periods that life brings, feel better, and experience more satisfaction in your relationships and within yourself.

I wholeheartedly believe that everyone has the ability to heal from difficult life experiences and move forward to live a fulfilling and joyful life. I specialize in supporting children, adolescents, and adults through the healing process after they have been exposed to traumatic life events such as abuse/neglect, adoption, divorce, grief/loss, attachment difficulties, medical trauma, and other life stressors. I have a passion for working with individuals who have experienced traumas, caregivers experiencing postpartum/parenting difficulties, early childhood populations, and parent-child relationship issues.

To LIVE after Trauma and Grief was the smartest choice I've made Learning to LOVE as a Parent and Single Woman, feels freeing Having LIFE with Relational Purpose is a class all Its own After 35 years of life experience, 7 years of experience in field of mental health, 4 years as a Licensed Therapist, and continuing education as a 5th year doctoral student I have been able to create a program that eases the stigma of seeing a therapist. Through the recognition of new self-awareness, clients will work towards their goals through her directive and active guidance.

As a queer and neurodivergent therapist, I understand that systemic issues and stigmatization make reaching out for support a daunting task. I understand how difficult talking about emotions and past experiences can be. You may be yearning for someone to recognize the experience of being in your skin. My goal is to work with you to develop strategies that align with your unique strengths and challenges. As your therapist, I intend to foster a sense of safety and trust in our sessions, nurturing you into your most authentic self. I am passionate about exploring how our experiences and backgrounds shape our identities.

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.

Welcome! I look forward to working with you. I’m versatile and cater my approach to fit each person’s needs. I embrace differences and similarities. I strive to create a safe and open environment which is very important to develop an effective therapeutic relationship and to initiate the healing process. I’m an engaging person who is very compassionate about helping others win. I will put my best foot forward to help you find your spark. It’s rewarding and fulfilling. I believe that anyone can benefit from therapy. I will help you identify your strengths, needs and desires to work towards establishing a winning atmosphere.

Most people who work with me begin when painful experiences of anxiety and depression interfere with their ability to find enjoyment and satisfaction in relationships and professionally. Psychotherapy with me usually begins with a discussion of the concerns, problems, and distress from which you are suffering and for which you seek relief. The goal of this work is to solve the problems, alleviate the distress, and place the concerns in the context of your personal development. Results of this effort often include increased self-awareness, enhanced self-esteem, recognition of unique strengths and potentials, and more positive feelings.

I believe that therapy extends beyond symptom relief; it entails gaining insight into one's self, patterns, and relationship dynamics. In other words, in order to "feel better," I think it is important to uncover how and why these symptoms developed over time. I aspire to help patients obtain this deeper understanding by fostering a sense of security and connectedness, which will allow me to act as a collaborative guide through this exploration. In therapy, I encourage patients to be active participants in their process so as to develop a sense of empowerment leading to relief from current symptoms as well as sustainable change.

Majority people turn to therapy when they are feeling alone in life and can’t seem to find a way forward. You might have trouble identifying your true needs and wishes in the first place. In therapy, you will find a supportive environment in which you can explore challenges and find your own path to a life of greater fulfillment and wellbeing. This often leads us into the deepest layers of who we are and what we want. It will be my honor to accompany you on this journey, as we work to understand your past and present, and to realize your future dreams.

Dr. Sarah Sanders is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in anxiety, eating disorders, depression, and life transition issues. Dr. Sanders individualizes her treatment approach to the specific needs of each client, often combining dynamic-relational, cognitive-dialectical-behavioral, and systemic-cultural approaches. Her priority is helping you work through your concerns and make changes in your life in a way that feels effective, collaborative, and nonjudgmental.

I've seen, heard and personally experienced the difficulty of finding a therapist when you hold marginalized identities. It's an honor for me to be able to provide a unique space for folks like us! I believe that understanding how our culture, gender, society, family, etc. inform our identities allows people to ditch the concepts or social expectations that don’t fit and pursue the ones that feel truly authentic. Let's show up as we are and get some solid work done!

It can feel extremely discouraging when you look at your partner and feel like the spark or flame that brought you together is now dwindling. We find ourselves in patterns that have become comfortable or too familiar and don't know how to break out of them. Often times we don't know where to begin when creating relationship goals and increasing the connection we once felt with one another. Our therapy space is one where curiosity and authenticity are inherently invited. Together, we make sense of all the moments, interactions, traumas, narratives, and experiences that shaped your relationship and find a new normal.

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.

I am Dr. Sylvia Kobe, and I am a Licensed Clinical psychologist. My associate Dr. Mary-Zitta Muabe and I collaborate to cover a broad counseling spectrum. Together Dr. Muabe and I specialize in marriage, family therapy, and spiritual maturity. We also work with teens, young adults, and individuals battling anxiety, depression, or struggles to cope with every-life issues. We believe in empowering our clients, encouraging them to see that life is all about second chances, and with the right kind of intervention, the best is yet to come.

I believe therapy is a journey of healing, understanding one’s self and creating ways to overcome challenges together. My clinical approach includes being supportive, collaborative, understanding each individual’s unique experience and creating a warm, safe and non-judgmental space. I embrace diversity, authenticity and am committed to being culturally sensitive and sex and gender affirming. I approach therapy from a variety of perspectives to accommodate needs of each individual using psychodynamic, process oriented, feminist, decolonizing therapy, social justice and multicultural models.

It's my belief that you can't help how you feel, but you can help what you do about it. By enhancing your state of mind, and investing in a better relationship with yourself you can make a lasting improvement in your life. Through the development of a professional, safe, empathic and fulfilling relationship with my clients I'm able to provide exceptional counseling services to adults, children, teens & their families dealing with a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, stress, social anxiety, life transitions and adjustment difficulties, self-esteem, work-life balance, grieving, infertility issues, ADHD & others.

Are you tired of the patterns in your life that lead to frustration and hurt? Would you or a loved one like to feel better about yourself and the relationships in your life? Are you seeking a warm, safe, nurturing space for healing and growth? I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who is dedicated to helping my clients thrive. My passion lies in supporting individuals and adolescents through their unique journeys. My experience working in different settings such as community mental health, outpatient and schools has given me insight into people’s different needs.

Are you feeling depressed, anxious or having family issues? You are not alone. Let me help you get back to being you again. I am a Northwestern University trained clinician with over 22 years of experience using proven methodologies to help people begin to live healthier, more satisfying lives. I am the lead counselor and supervisor of my group practice, Simply Counseling, LLC. I also help couples communicate more effectively. Please reach out with any questions and I’m happy to help.