Pacific Islander Therapists in Sugar Grove, IL

How We Treat One Another Matters: For better and for worse, across our whole lives, we operate in relationships. Our views of our "self" and how we relate to others develop from how we have been treated in relationships. Our capacities to love, to learn, to become our best, all emerge optimally within healthy relationships. Likewise, wounds of heart and soul emerge from ways we have been treated and/or choices we have made which have hurt us, sometimes very deeply. Persons who have experienced relational trauma and/or overwhelming life stressors are ideal candidates for clinical services at Gateway.

Hello! My name is Michelle Wong (she/hers) and I’m a provisionally licensed therapist at Innovative Counseling Partners PLLC in Oak Park. I received my training and Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University. My approach to the therapeutic process is integrative and I create a non-judgmental, safe, fruitful, healthy, and fun relationship. I value empathic understanding, compassion, diversity, and creativity.

I am currently accepting clients for in-person and telehealth! As a queer, Filipino-American, I have special interest and experience working with BIPOC, First-Generation Americans, and LGBTQIA+ living with trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship distress, or difficult life transitions. It takes great strength and vulnerability to ask for help and to let someone in on our journey when we’re not sure they’ll understand us. I value the importance of the relationship between therapist and client. Your experiences deserve to be honored with care, empathy, and understanding and YOU deserve to feel heard, safe, and accepted.

The clients who are the best fit for my clinical approach tend to be people who want to build a stronger sense of self, learn how to center their own needs and set boundaries, and are open to inner child healing. The clients I work with want to change their relationship with themselves to be more compassionate and nurturing. They are recovering people pleasers, people who want to learn how to be more assertive, often have unresolved trauma, and are ready to break cycles in order to establish new patterns. They seek support from me to discuss dating, relationships, sex, childhood traumas, identity, and healing from abuse and neglect.

Hi! My name is Sandy and I am Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) providing counseling to teenagers (12+) and adults in Illinois. My past clinical experience includes working with adolescents and adults, and veterans, especially those with past trauma and/or those who struggle with anxiety and depression. I also am passionate about working with immigrants, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ community members and multicultural populations. I especially believe in providing support for these populations as they are often systematically underserved and overlooked in behavioral health and healthcare.

If you identify as LGBTQIA+, femme, and/ or a person of color you may be facing obstacles or concerns in your life that are heavy on your mind. The weight of your worries may be leaving you feeling sad, frustrated, afraid or even angry. It may feel bigger than what you have time for right now, causing you to hold back when you want to say something. It may be more and more difficult to disclose any of these feelings to anyone without falling apart. It’s okay to feel sadness, frustration or anger and it is okay to take time to talk about it. You can learn to allow room for all of your feelings.

Clients I work with often feel in-between jobs, relationships, cultures, or identities. This “in-between” feeling can show up as depression, anxiety, or difficulties with relationships and indecisiveness. I believe that peace and stability comes from finding comfort in the “in-between” and not forcing yourself out. I offer space for individuals to learn more about themselves and how they show up in the many roles in their lives so they can be more themselves in all parts of their lives. (I meet with virtually with clients residing in California and Illinois).

Do you need an affordable psychological evaluation for your immigration case? We understand these services can be expensive and that is why we offer affordable fees. We specialize in conducting Immigration Evaluations for Hardship Waiver, VAWA, U Visa, T Visa, Cancellation, and N-648 cases. Our evaluations are completed in a timely fashion by a bilingual (Chinese)Licensed Therapist. We also work with clients who speak other languages, including Spanish, Russian, French, Arabic, Cambodian, Urdu, Telugu, Gujarati, Vietnamese, Kirundi, and Farsi through professional interpreters.

Vanessa is a dedicated therapist in Chicago, holding a master's degree in Clinical Psychology and licensures as a Board Certified Dance Movement (BC-DMT) Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and is completing her doctorate in Expressive Arts Therapy. Vanessa radiates warmth and spunk. It’s not unusual for her clients to experience an array of emotions: crying, laughter, sadness, and hope; all within a single session.

"The longest journey that a man must take in his lifetime is the 18 inches from his head to his heart." This is the basis of Head/Heart Therapy. Utilizing various therapeutic methods, each client is treated as a unique individual to facilitate healing. Head/Heart Therapy is a private therapy practice where clients can experience non-judgmental, open, and authentic therapy. We value working with unique people from diverse backgrounds, life styles, and points of view.

Hello! I am a graduate from The Family Institute at Northwestern University with a wide range of experience helping late adolescents and adults navigate job stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, grief/loss, trauma, LGBTQIA+ identities, relationship concerns and the many other challenges we may face in life.

Asking for help is hard and takes a lot of strength to do. Asking for help also shows just enough self worth to better one’s self. My clients primarily attend counseling to seek emotional support, guidance in their healing process, and regain their self worth and confidence. They also are working towards self empowerment and growth towards emotional stability. Clients also learn to change the negative beliefs and narratives created from past childhood or relationship abuse and trauma. I have also seen clients who find their faith as a foundation of their healing and I am trained in Immanuel Prayer by request.

Welcome! The decision to begin therapy is a difficult but commendable process. Often times, there is a lot of fear and anxiety linked with this journey. It takes courage to sit in the client seat. My goal is to create a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients. People come from all walks of life and, sometimes, all we need is a listening ear to validate what we are experiencing. Whether it is your first time seeking counseling or you are resuming again after a break, pat yourself on the back for your effort!

I believe that self-care is a worthwhile investment that could end unnecessary suffering and improve the quality of your life. People may hesitate to participate in therapy services. You are welcome to address any questions or concerns that you have before you share personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings. I look forward to providing the help and support you need to finish your treatment program so that you can move on with your life!

When reaching out can feel intimidating and difficult, the therapists at Authentic Growth Wellness Group will provide you with an approachable and comfortable experience. We get how hard it can be to begin and engage in this endeavor, and, therefore, we possess a deep empathy and enriched understanding from which we can professionally, ethically, and effectively support our clients initiate and engage in a trajectory of healing from which they will courageously grow.

Do you feel that aspects of your life are out of control and unmanageable? Maybe you are noticing a pattern of avoiding people or places you once loved, or a sudden change in appetite, energy, or drive. Or maybe you know something is “off” and can’t quite put your finger on what is missing. The first step to change and healing is sometimes an overwhelming task. It takes a lot of courage to say, “it’s time to do something differently”.

I have extensive experience with clients who have experienced trauma. I also enjoying working with clients who have emotional obstacles in the way of reaching personal goals.I have had years of experience in working with clients with chronic illness such as cancer, diabetes or other medical issues, both children and adults. I have also worked with clients experiencing anxiety or depression. I use multiple treatment modalities depending on the client need.I prefer in office visits but I can do teletherapy if needed.

My ideal client is someone who is willing to be helped, someone who is accepting of change, and someone who is open to ideas/conversations and is looking to be heard. The issues my ideal client presents with are varied and can include anxiety, depression, self-esteem, stress, or relationships. As for their goals, the goal would be to become a better human being that is balanced and at peace with those around them - to become a better friend, a better partner, or a better person for their family. My ideal client wants to become the best version of themselves, or they want to learn how to love and accept themselves as they are.