Therapists in Oak Park, IL

Through more than 20 years of experience, I have worked extensively with individuals, couples and multi-generational families providing treatment for a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior. I grew up in a large & humble home; learning and understanding the complexities of dealing with different types of personalities, sometimes in difficult circumstances at an early age. My goal is to see clients do amazing work in treatment by strengthening their coping skills, removing limiting beliefs, resolving conflicts, and lifestyle changes through a positive way of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. In therapy, I work to create an empathic, open, and collaborative atmosphere to treat issues such as trauma, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Identity development, grief and loss, relationship problems, and domestic violence and abuse are other concerns that I help people address through therapy. I practice primarily from a psychodynamic approach and also use cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and interpersonal therapy to enrich the therapeutic process.

ONLINE COUNSELING AVAILABLE! Get counseling without going out. I specialized in remote online counseling. I have immediate openings for daytime, evening, and weekend appointments. My passion is working with individuals relating to grief and other life transitions; which include, employment exit strategies, career decisions while identifying gifts and talents, finding your life calling and coaching through life altering events. I am a excellent couples counselor and whether you are preparing for marriage or married, I can help you become better communicators and partners for life.

Many spend their lives worried something is wrong with them, often unaware this stems from unresolved negative experiences. Experiences can shape our thoughts, actions, self-perception, emotions and even influence the health of our bodies and how we feel in our bodies. Patterns often form to avoid/are used to get by with the undesirable feelings leaving us stuck and anxious. Through collaborative mind/body-focused methods, we confront past traumas and stressors along with unhealthy patterns of coping, fostering healing that integrates psychological and physiological aspects. Cultivating a deeper understanding of self & well-being.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I am co-owner and have worked extensively as an adolescent, adult, and couples therapist. My style is empathic, warm, and informative. At times, I am direct and challenging with clients in order to facilitate growth and insight. I draw upon relational, systems, and cognitive-behavioral approaches and tailor my treatment to each individual/couple's unique needs. My background/training, helps foster connections with people from various ethinicities, religions, and cultural identifications. I work with common adjustment concerns as well as with serious mental health issues.

Everyone goes through times of struggle and needs someone to listen, reflect and help them move forward. We specialize in working with persons who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. Trauma can lead to many life issues & symptoms that we can help you manage & alleviate. Using trauma-informed attachment focused psychotherapy we provide parents with therapeutic skills to help their children heal. I have worked with families, kids, & adults for 25 of years who have various mental illnesses and emotional challenges. Everyone deserves happiness & we can help you through the healing process to restore your mind, body & spirit.

In moments of stress or discord, everyone copes the best they have available to them. As a trauma informed and DBT focused therapist, I believe in the power shame reduction can have in peoples lives, alongside building concrete skills, and unlearning narratives that no longer serve us. I often see clients who may feel at odds with themselves and want to adapt or grow their ability to handle distress. Although change can be uncomfortable, I work alongside clients to rediscover personal strengths and help find a "core" or "root" that may have felt lost or distant. I commend you for stepping into vulnerability.

Does anxiety, frustration, anger, self-doubt, or feelings of sadness prevent you from getting what you want out of life? Are you dissatisfied with your relationships or feel overwhelmed with problems? Therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental, supportive, and confidential space to talk about your feelings and receive professional feedback to help you sort out your problems.

(She/Her/Hers) Over the years, I have built a practice devoted to improving the lives of people from a wide variety of backgrounds, struggling with a number of different issues. More recently, I have shifted my focus from clinical practice to the training of pre-licensed and early career therapists. I very much enjoy mentoring as it gives me the opportunity to share all that I have learned in my two decades of providing psychotherapy.

Elena Vassallo has twenty-eight years of experience helping people with anxiety, depression, grief, phase of life transitions, low self-esteem, feelings of meaninglessness, relationship issues and more.

Danielle's overall work experience is in behavior medicine mainly addresses the health and mental health care needs of adults and children, often times involving substance abuse through a holistic approach, (or with the use of psychotropic medication when needed). I am also skilled in identifying maladaptive behaviors, which may inhibit a patient achieving optimal physical health, and implementing brief, focused interventions in decreasing or eradicating such behavior. In addition, I also use social and psychological evaluation techniques to promote physical health and wellness to underserved populations.

At The Juniper Center you will find LGBTQ centered care. We are owned and directed by a therapist and a member of our community. Your name, your pronouns, your identity belong to you. Helping you heal belongs with us. You don't want to have to hide any of who you are. Whether your gender does not match your body, your identity does not match your gender, you love someone born the same sex as you or you love someone who is working their way through these issues, we are here to help. Perhaps you are a parent wanting to understand your child, or to help your child find a positive way through confusing issues.

Adult life is complex, full of many responsibilities and accompanying stressors. Difficulties balancing work and home, communicating with others, tensions between relationships and personal goals and achievements. These complex feelings can lead to anxiety, depression, and feeling overwhelmed. I work with adults in all career settings and relationships, as well as with young adults transitioning from adolescence to college and navigating steep life changes. Together we will examine your early life experiences for insight into who you are and to shape your personal values toward realizing contentment.

I am a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor. I earned my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University in Chicago in 2017. Along with my counseling education and skills, I had a successful first career working as a special education and traditional elementary teacher, reading specialist, and literacy staff developer. Recently, I worked in higher education as a doctorate level college professor for 18 years, at a community college teaching developmental and traditional English classes.

I believe we are most content when we are most in alignment with our true selves. Discontent, then, is more of a disconnect with who we truly are. It is a pain that can take on many forms (e.g. stress, sadness, loneliness, anxiety, anger, grief, exhaustion) and serves the purpose of bringing to our awareness, aspects of our self that need to be attended to rather than ignored. I believe the foundation of a helping relationship lies in fostering a safe space in which a person can show up as they are in the presence of someone who holds them in positive regard while highlighting their strengths and exploring together areas of growth.