Parenting Therapists in North Center, Chicago, IL

Therapy is a unique opportunity to focus on yourself and begin down the path to a healthy, more fulfilling life. Working collaboratively with a therapist can help you to explore patterns, relationships and ways of functioning that no longer serve your best interest. This exploration can lead to the strength and confidence necessary to make changes and regain focus in your life. Therapy is an emotionally safe place that will allow you to heal as you address difficult issues, gain clarity, and become reacquainted with your authentic self.

My expertise lies in helping people of all ages, from children to seniors, who are struggling with issues such as life transitions, anxiety and depression, relationship problems, family conflict, problematic behavior patterns, coping with divorce, death, and other types of loss, parenting challenges, and childhood trauma. My goal is to help my clients better understand their own feelings and behaviors so as to reduce emotional suffering and make positive changes in life.

I use an individualized, strengths-based approach to ensure both child and parent feel understood and working towards common goals. My experience in both intensive and long-term services make me well-equipped to help with any range of behavioral needs, incl. ADHD, anxiety, depression, disruptive behaviors, and other social/emotional needs. My focus is on the building of lagging skills and emotional development to decrease behavioral challenges and increase self esteem. I offer individual sessions with children and parent consultation services. I have also served as a mental health expert for the Inner Heroes Universe series!

Perhaps you are here because you are finding that your life is not feeling as fullfilled as you would like it to be. You may also be experiencing conflicts or loss in family, career, and personal areas of your life. I can offer you an opportunity to gain a better understanding of what is happening that prevents you from reaching your goals. Together we can discover new ways to acheive what you are looking for out of life. My approach is compassionate and empathic, yet focused and direct, in order to help you meet your needs.

I am the co-founder of Psychotherapy Associates of Chicago and am one of the most experienced clinicians on PAC's team, having nearly 25 years of practice in the field.

Becoming the person, parent, partner, and professional you want to be can leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, sad, and alone. In a world where there's too much to do and too little time, finding space for yourself can seem impossible. You deserve the same level of care that you generously offer to every other aspect of your life. I provide a nurturing space where you can safely explore and understand your challenges. Whether you're managing anxiety or depression, breaking free from cycles of trauma, struggling with work-life balance, establishing boundaries, or exploring your identity, you don’t have to do it alone.

Parenting is complex! As a caretaker, parent, or parent to be, you experience a range of emotions that can feel overwhelming. Parenting can magnify unresolved childhood wounds that need to be explored and nurtured. Parenting is an amazingly joyful experience that can sometimes be plagued by self-doubt, guilt, stress, and burn out. This can have a great effect on a person's emotional well-being, relationships, and family system. As a caretaker, you deserve a dedicated time and space to process these complexities and receive therapeutic support.

With more than 20 years of experience, I have learned to empower my clients with the proper tools to survive the upheaval, heal & then thrive. I believe the mind, body and spirit are all connected & the key to a healthy life is BALANCE. Each person has the ability to achieve this & by utilizing the body and spirit through different modalities, it is facilitated even faster. I provide a safe, nurturing & compassionate environment that promotes healing & growth through different expressions besides just talking including hypnotherapy, yoga & meditation, when appropriate . I work on focus,awareness and energy together with each client to help create a healthier balance.

As the parent of a struggling child or teen, you may wonder what you can do to help them feel better. I’m here to provide you and your family the support and guidance that will help you gain a deeper understanding of your child, and feel more connected to them. I am passionate and experienced in helping children, teenagers, and their families overcome life's challenges. I have seen many children and teens struggle to express or articulate their emotions. That’s what I am here for. I find playful ways to help children express their inner world while guiding parents to also be curious to what is under their behavior.

I believe one of the bravest things you can do is ask for help. Reaching out to a therapist can be scary and I am here to support that journey. During my years of experience working with children, teens, families, and adults, I have developed a strengths based and individualized approach in therapy. Whether you or your child are struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD or behavioral concerns, we can find a brighter path forward together, focused on empowerment and skill building. My approaches include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), play therapy, and more.

As a licensed clinical psychologist grounded in the power of relationships and neuropsychology, my mission is to promote healthy development, healing, and emotional & relational wellbeing. I provide therapy and assessment from a dynamic, inclusive, and empowering stance that supports a genuine experience of connection along with learning, healing, and resilience building. I am also an experienced clinical supervisor who is devoted to supporting the clinical and leadership development of rising therapists and psychologists.

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.

No matter what challenges you may be experiencing, you are valid in seeking support. Being a child, teenager, young adult, or parent is hard. Every stage brings new obstacles, relationships, hopes, and fears. I am here to hold a space for you, your child, and your family to explore and process whatever you need. You can count on me to provide an environment that encourages honesty, vulnerability, and resiliency. I am passionate about supporting my clients in their pursuit of growth and connection.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked with children, adolescents, and families for over 15 years. I have extensive experience working with a variety of emotional and behavioral concerns (i.e., adjustment issues, anxiety, depression, mood problems, low self-esteem, peer issues, identity development, parent-child conflicts, attention problems, oppositional behaviors, and behavior management). I also work with young adults, focusing on stress management, life transitions, difficulties with romantic and peer relationships, family conflict, and struggles with identity that often occur in early adulthood.

If you are looking for an experienced therapist who is compassionate, insightful, positive, supportive, humorous and directive, then contact me. In addition to teaching coping skills and parenting skills, I help clients to better understand themselves and to fully accept themselves so that true joy can be found. I specialize in eating disorders, substance abuse, behavioral disorders and am a trauma informed therapist. I see ages 7 upward for either individual or family counseling. These sessions can be remote or in-person at either the Ravenswood neighborhood office in Chicago or at another location in Lincolnwood, IL.

Congratulations on taking such a meaningful step in your effort towards well being and peace. Working together, I will help you effectively discern what might be stopping you from a most satisfying and meaningful life. You may be facing the challenges of anxiety or depression, and I look forward to assisting you in addressing that painful experience. I work with people struggling with life's adjustments, including receiving a medical diagnosis, a change such as a death of a loved one or separation in a relationship, adjustment to parenting, and professional changes.

I want to help you live purpose led, pleasure-full life. I work with individuals and couples on all manner of relationships. In my couples work, I help partners rediscover intimate connection, learn more effective and compassionate ways of communicating, and rebuild trust. Often, I work with couples on co-parenting, life transitions, and mismatched desire. With individuals I support all of your relationships, whether you’re wanting to find love, deepen friendships, or understand your family. I also help individuals with managing anxiety, spiritual/religious trauma, and healing body image.

Missy is passionate about psychotherapy with children, adolescents, families, as well as adults. In working with adults, she helps them create meaning in their lives. With an eye toward life transitions and contextual factors, Missy empowers clients to face their current challenges with true agency. In working with children, I provide evidenced based skills in addressing mood, adjustment, anxiety disorders, and learning disabilities. I focus on a collaborative process in providing clients with prevention and intervention towards their present stressors.

I'm here to listen, and I'm here to help. My approach to therapy is rooted in empathy and collaboration with my clients. My goal is to create a supportive space where you can share your experiences and feel safe and understood.