Person-Centered Therapists in Old Irving Park, Chicago, IL

My name is Aillen (Lynn) Ford. I am a licensed clinical social worker who utilizes a variety of evidence-based strategies to provide you with the tools you require to address your treatment goals. I have over a decade of experience working with people of all ages. My focus has recently been on 18-65 years old with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, ADHD, and communication issues in regard to relationships and parenting. My focus has recently been on 18-65 years old with anxiety, depression, adjustment disorder, ADHD, and communication issues in regard to relationships and parenting.

When you live with trauma or emotional pain—or just plain feel lost—it can be difficult to manage your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Together, we can sort out what is and is not working for you so you can feel in control and step into your authentic self. You can find a sense of balance and peace as we navigate the patterns you have fallen into and develop opportunities for healing and a new way of being in the world. As a therapist fluent in American Sign Language, I work extensively with the Deaf community. I am passionate about working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in a way that respects their culture.

As a biracial human, I understand the juggling process between developing identity while also finding a sense of belonging within communities. Doing this on top of just simply learning how to be an adult and manage emotions can be a difficult juggling process! I prioritize the awareness of various factors like multiculturalism, oppression, trauma, and neurodiversity when working on deepening your understanding of yourself and reintegrating the connection between your mind, body, and spirit. Due to these factors, I bring my genuine personality to help build trust in the therapeutic relationship.

My goal as a therapist is to create a safe space where clients who have been traumatized and marginalized are allowed to share their stories and feelings. My therapy office is a judgment free zone where you will receive validation, support, and practical ways to manage difficult thoughts and experiences. I have had success counseling survivors of complex trauma, girls and women of all ages, and those that have felt marginalized and invalidated by their experience in the world. I am real and love to use humor in session when appropriate!

You feel overwhelmed, overworked, and the stress makes it hard to focus or even breath sometimes. Being an entrepreneur, small business owner, fellow creative, self-starter, or go-getter, you value being a risk-taker and know what you want for yourself and your family, but you just get overwhelmed with navigating the moving pieces and getting into habits of taking care of others before yourself. You are questioning "am I going to make it?" or "can I do this?" and part of you is having a dance party saying "hell yeah!" and another part is pointing a judging finger or exhausted from comparison fatigue. Lets make a change!

Jonah’s approach to therapy is founded on the principle of self-compassion. He firmly believes that building a foundation of self-love and understanding is the first step toward healing and growth. Jonah uses humanistic, cognitive behavioral, and dialectical behavioral therapies to help individuals in fostering self-acceptance, developing coping skills, and building resilience. Jonah helps people to identify their unique strengths to address the ongoing challenges they face.

I specialize in trauma, anxiety, panic disorders, depression, PTSD and cPTSD. I help my clients work through stress, conflicts, difficult relationships, abuse, manipulation, chronic feelings of “stuck,” life transitions (divorce, break - ups, career changes, immigration/move), and chronic illness.

You have felt unseen and unheard. But you know deep down that you are worthy. I know that you are. The challenges in life you once were able to navigate with ease are now more daunting than ever. You have turned to avoidance, substances, shopping, you name it! But none of these are helping. What you need now is someone to empathize with you. Someone who gets it, to see you and support you while you examine those unpleasant feelings and sensations.

My goal is to meet you where you are on your journey to wellness, and take you where you want to be. I create opportunities to express your narrative in a safe space, in a manner that is conducive to your well-being. I provide an inclusive judgment-free space regardless of background or identification. I help individuals gain insight into their own decisions, patterns of outcomes. I enjoy working with individuals who are experiencing a life transition or difficulty adjusting to change. Current clients describe my approach as warm, validating, and intentional.

Life has a funny way of doing the exact opposite of what you’d hope—and when it does, it feels anything but funny. It may feel closer to being stuck, out of control, or somewhere in between. Above all else it feels bleak, and I’m not here to tell you it isn’t. But I can tell you the good news: no matter what you'r bringing to therapy, you carry the coolest, most beautiful parts of being human within you already. I work with individuals and couples to help them reconnect to their true selves so they can shine—in good times and bad.

As an art therapist in training, I provide a non-judgmental and creative place to connect to your innate wholeness and humanity. You are deserving of support and encouragement as you navigate the many challenges and interferences with your sense of belonging within a society that often tells you otherwise. My passion is providing support that helps you realign with the truths and wisdom already within yourself.

Maybe you have tried traditional talk therapy, yoga, or self-help apps but you haven't found that sense relief from stress, anxiety, depression or grief. Grounded in the use of mindfulness and the creative arts therapies - art, movement, music, and drama - we believe the steps towards clarity, growth, and empowerment are about much more than talking. We are constantly thinking, feeling, sensing, expressing, interpreting, and responding to daily experiences. Your sessions will holistically explore all of these parts of your experience while gaining new skills to cope with stress, trauma, relationships, loss, or a new life change.

Are you feeling depressed, anxious, and/or stressed in your life? Are you looking to find inner peace and strength within yourself? If this sounds like you, I would like to help guide you on that journey of relieving your worries and making positive changes in your life.

Warm wishes and kudos to you for reaching out in this time of such uncertainty. I know all too well how uncertainty in the future and loss of control can contribute to anxiety and feelings of defeat. I have over 10-yrs of experience supporting individuals and couples in the midst of crisis and loss of control. While each circumstance is unique and will vary, please be assured that you are not, and do not have to navigate this alone. Whether it’s loss of purpose, lack of direction or feeling an overall loss of control, I will partner with you to identify your goals and reach fulfillment while gaining a sense of relief along the way.

When the dark clouds come, keep going. - Charlie Mackesy

My name is Elle Kirby, and I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the Chicago area. I am passionate about working with adults and adolescents to help reduce stress, gain resilience, and improve quality of life in a holistic manner. I am also a certified yoga teacher and specialize in managing the mind-body connection. We start where you are! Therapy can be an intimidating process to begin; I strive to create an open, warm, and inviting space to help strengthen the therapeutic relationship. With time, we can shift to a solution-based focus on goals.

Hi there, I'm Stacey Monroe, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of clinical experience. Over the years, I've worked with diverse populations in multiple settings, including medical social work, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), community mental health, homeless services, and private practice. As a unique individual, you deserve an approach that is tailored to your needs. While I take an eclectic approach to therapy, I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you develop tools for success.

My name is Marissa Krager, I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed School Social Worker (PEL) in the state of Illinois. I like to look at my clients as a whole, (environment, support, interests, strengths, weaknesses) not just individually. I go by my client’s pace, assessing how you are working in counseling and understanding what you're able to process/handle in those moments, never adding pressure. Specializing in trauma, anxiety, depression, and general counseling.

In my work, I focus on equipping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families with the insight, knowledge, tools, and skills to live healthy and balanced lives. Often, my clients already have the personal strengths and relationship skills that they will need to live a healthier life, and my work involves simply helping them uncover and utilize these strengths. I aim to empower clients to advocate for themselves within the contexts in which they live. I strive to provide therapy that is culturally and contextually informed and that integrates psychological research and theory to provide the best and most appropriate care.