Therapists in Chicago, IL

We are all in a perpetual state of changing and growing throughout our lives; it is my belief that we may as well pay attention and guide our growth in a purposeful way. I truly believe that psychotherapy changes lives by creating opportunities for people to become who they should have been all along. By illuminating and examining your viewpoint in a very genuine and thoughtful manner, new perspectives arise naturally through the psychotherapeutic process. It is our job in therapy to together seize upon a new understanding and incorporate it into who you are becoming.

I am committed to supporting my clients ability to grow and change. As a Humanist, I believe that people are always striving to succeed, but at times are blocked by fears, doubts and loss of clear identity. I see my clients as collaborators in the therapeutic process, and together we create a personal path for healing and growth, that incorporates soundly researched therapeutic techniques.

I would definitely say being a psychologist is my calling. I am very passionate about helping others and making humanity and the world a better place, both personally and professionally. My approach to therapy is to create a safe space in order to help you examine yourself and your path to a meaningful life. I help you identify and build off of your strengths and values and help you with the parts of your personality that may be getting in the way of your having a more fulfilling life and feeling deeply connected in your relationships.

My therapeutic style is positive, encouraging, and holistic. I am here to help you become the best version of yourself. With our time together, we will work on becoming the person you want to become. Collaboratively, we will create a safe environment where we can discuss issues, change, learn, and develop. Working at your pace, we will look at your past, talk about where you are now, and discover where you want to go to achieve your most authentic self.

I became a therapist due to my deeply-rooted empathy for people of all ages experiencing the various challenges of life. I am passionate about supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and parents at all stages of their therapeutic journeys. At the beginning of treatment, I focus on creating a solid therapeutic relationship and meet clients where they’re at so that they feel safe to explore, grow, and find empowerment. I utilize a relational and trauma-informed approach along with a variety of other evidence-based modalities to assist clients in achieving their goals. We can work on creating goals together.

What makes an impact? Is it your will? Your intentions? Your heritage? Your chemistry? My work is collaborative meaning we will discuss your reasons for seeking care and selecting goals.

NOW Accepting New Clients! We are here to support you. Life Aligned Counseling offers individual and couples counseling services. Our team of therapists has experience in a wide variety of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, loss and grief, relationship issues, self-esteem and self-concept, family conflict, stress management, spirituality, significant life transitions, lgbtqia+ concerns, women's issues, men's issues, etc.

Hi there, glad you’re here. If you’re ready, I’m excited to get started on your journey in therapy together. As someone who comes to the work with warmth and empathy, I strive to build a therapeutic relationship with my clients that opens up space for healing and growth. In our time together, I would aim to help you understand how past events and relationships have shaped your way in the world and look to open up new possibilities. By discussing how the past may be impeding our present, I believe we can build towards a future worth looking forward to.

Starting your therapy journey can be anxiety provoking and intimidating. I commend you for taking this important step to show up for yourself. I believe that presenting symptoms are adaptive and protective forms of coping that you have learned over time. We are influenced and impacted by the many contexts in which we live, whether that be familial systems or systems of oppression. Uncovering root causes to symptoms and gently diving deeper into self awareness and understanding of your past and present experiences will be the cornerstone of our time together.

I WANT TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE! Everyone has struggles in life, I'll meet you in that struggle and equip you with internal tools to help you become THE BEST YOU! I want to help you live your best life! My focus is to meet you where you're comfortable - in our partnership I will provide a safe space for you to express yourself freely without judgement while increasing your ability to unburden, and forgive yourself. Our therapeutic encounters will facilitate opportunities for you to offer yourself self-compassion, empathy, and grow your self-awareness en-route to accomplishing your goals.

Sometimes we struggle with unhealthy patterns, feel lost, or less able to cope. We need a safe place to process relationship problems, work on making changes, & grasp tools to deal with life's stressors. We store much of our emotional past within our physical bodies; together, we'll learn to release that energy using all 5 senses to become more present. My therapy style is warm, collaborative, sexuality and gender-affirming. Since 2009, I have helped many people take the steps to turn pain into growth and regain control of their lives.

Sometimes therapy is about working towards your future goals, and sometimes therapy is just about surviving the day. With a commitment to creating a warm, authentic, and welcoming space for everyone, I strive to provide a therapeutic environment where you can safely explore your emotions, experiences, and goals. Meeting you exactly where you are in your life, I am committed to recognizing and illuminating your unique strengths, empowering you to make positive and lasting changes; to illuminate what was once dark, embracing growth and resilience.

NOW accepting new clients! Do you have difficulty overthinking, trouble handling anxiety, or a hard time managing your emotions? I want you to know that these are normal occurrences that every human being has experienced. If you are looking for a therapist who is honest, empathic, and nonjudgmental, then you have come to the right place. I pride myself on giving my clients the support they need to increase balance and happiness in their everyday lives.

I offer collaborative psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, and substance use, using naturalistic research-supported approaches that enhance awareness, access strengths, and build skills. These approaches - which vary according to individual needs and preferences - include mindfulness, depth-oriented counseling, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Existential Psychotherapy. Particular concerns may include worry, panic, obsession, procrastination, grief, esteem, frustration, habits, and/or motivation. The overarching model promotes psychological growth, transcendence of purpose-limiting "world views," and personal empowerment.

Welcome! I'm Macauley, a passionate and dedicated therapist committed to guiding you on your journey towards emotional well-being and personal growth. I believe in the transformative power of therapy, in tandem with mind-body practices, and am here to support you in navigating life's challenges with empathy and understanding. I firmly believe in the interconnectedness of mind and body. Together, we will explore the integration of traditional therapy with yoga, meditation, and somatic practices, unlocking your potential for healing and growth.

Are you hoping for a therapist that can really help you with living a more satisfying life? Are you ready to stop struggling with anxiety? A key element to therapy that all my clients should feel is a comfort and safety in our sessions. I believe that is one of the keys to quality therapy and lasting change. I believe an essential catalyst to therapy is one's willingness to gently pull back the layers of their being to discover who they are at their core. Therapy is a collaborative process and I want to join all my clients as they take steps towards a life that is constantly moving towards emotional and physical well being.

What circumstances shifted you into this specific moment in time...to bring this bio into your awareness? Was it the guilt that has consumed you since morning of how you didn’t show up exactly how you envisioned being the best parent...or that you have become conscious to the burden of unrealistic expectations upon self and have decided to courageously dive into the depths of your shadows? Perhaps you have questions about self you never have had before and feeling like no one can relate. All you would like is for someone to hold space while you allow emotions like sadness or anger to flow and feel you are able to cry without shame!

I utilize a growth-oriented approach to empower people to problem solve and make changes to pursue the life they envision. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) strategies are used in my practice, with an emphasis on the use of trauma-sensitive mindfulness, to equip people with the skills needed to overcome life’s stressors and challenges. In dialectics, we acknowledge the opposing sides of each experience and work together to synthesize the two. I prioritize developing a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship that will meet you where you are at in your journey, and will come alongside you to cultivate your strengths.

Do you feel overwhelmed and drained from challenges you have experienced in your life? Do find yourself feeling sad and guilty about things that have happened to you? Feelings similar to this can often lead to overthinking about decisions and relationships and as a result feeling misunderstood and unhappy. As your therapist, I will provide a safe and supportive space while we navigate the difficulties you are facing. I’ll provide you a place where you can express yourself authentically and talk through challenging moments with care while honoring your unique strengths and identities.