Therapists in Crystal Lake, IL

If you are reading this you have taken your first step toward positive change! For some, the thought of therapy can be intimidating. However, finding the "right fit" in a client/therapist relationship is essential to sharing your feelings and overcoming your fears. In a safe, positive environment you can accomplish your goals and move towards a better, happier life. I promote an atmosphere of exceptance, no matter what you are experiencing....anxiety, depression, stress over life transitions, fear or shame, sharing traumatic events, or relationship issues. You deserve the best life possible!

I am devoted to establishing a strong rapport with clients while recognizing counseling as a collaborative process. I believe it’s important that clients feel safe when sharing their innermost thoughts, feelings, and concerns. I have provided counseling services in a variety of different settings including community mental health and private practice. I am experienced in working with children, adolescents, and young adults with difficulties including self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, and ADHD symptoms.

I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience helping people cope with family and social issues. I work with many concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, ADHD, stress management, school-related matters, and career challenges. The modalities I use include Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Family Systems Therapy, and Strength-based Therapy. I believe in providing a safe space for clients to be vulnerable and explore solutions to complex concerns and issues.

My ideal clients are not perfect. My ideal clients are humans with challenges and strengths of all kinds. My ideal clients are those in need of softness and compassion as well as tough love and confrontation. I can best support adolescent and adult clients that live with depression, anxiety, PTSD, postpartum issues, identity/purpose challenges, and grief. My clients want to feel freedom from suffering. My clients want to learn how to navigate communication and relationships. My clients want to feel joy, to have hope, and to appreciate and love themselves.

I'm here as a compassionate guide, offering support and encouragement as you embrace your innate strengths, fostering growth, and navigating life's intricacies with resilience and self-compassion. We often believe we are broken, unlovable, or inadequate; I provide a safe space to share and deconstruct those beliefs. I specialize in supporting individuals navigating personality/mood disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, substance use, life transitions, military issues/transitions, and LGBTQIA+ issues.

Reaching out for help in our most vulnerable moments can be overwhelming and scary. Sometimes our self talk convinces us that we should figure it out on our own, or that our problems aren’t as bad as they could be - and we find ourselves hesitant to make that next step. I will meet your bravery and vulnerability with compassion, curiosity, feeling, and a bit of humor. I want to center what matters to you, develop skills and abilities, and help you rediscover a fullness in being alive and in your body. My areas of experience include working with individuals of the LBGTQ+, and navigating barriers to receiving gender affirming care.

I believe that most people go through something difficult in their lives and need help moving through the resulting pain that they feel. My goal is to make you feel safe, comfortable, and connected to me while we do our work together. I am a trauma informed therapist who works with a variety of clients and client issues. My work includes anxiety, depression, complex trauma, substance use, parenting, and life transitions in adolescents and adults. I am person-centered and believe that sessions should be focused on the needs of the client.

You are capable of so much. We all are. When life becomes overwhelming, you may be challenged with feelings of anxiety, depression, grief, lack of motivation and so much more. Talking to a therapist can help you get through these challenging times. I am a licensed therapist with a background in art therapy and counseling. My goal as your therapist is to provide you with a safe space in order to work together through whatever may be causing you emotional difficulties. I have experience working with children, young adults, families and teenagers.

Looking for a therapist can be challenging, especially if it's your first time seeing a therapist. My goal is to create a safe, comfortable place for you to address the concerns you have about your mental health. I have helped many people achieve their goals, to not only manage their mental health symptoms, but to live a happier life.

Every person on this planet is an individual with their own unique experiences and responses. This means that you are the ultimate authority on your life. If you're currently feeling like life isn't quite going your way, I'm here to help you explore solutions so you can embrace YOUR best version of life. Whether it involves improving relationships, boosting self-esteem, tackling feelings of depression or anxiety, addressing substance use, or overcoming any other obstacles holding you back from being your best self, I'm here to assist.

My clinical focus is on individuals struggling with depression, stress/anxiety, OCD, substance abuse, adjustment to life transitions, relationship distress, and parenting support. I believe that it is important to understand what brings each person into therapy, and tailor therapy to each individual's unique needs and goals. I offer sessions via telehealth/video and in person in our Woodstock location, so that you can participate in therapy from where you are most comfortable.

We all need help dealing with life sometimes, and over the past few years our ability to cope with life stressors has become more important than ever as we navigate life during the pandemic. Maybe you find yourself just going through the motions and not living the way that you'd like. Maybe you've looked around and realized that you're struggling to maintain healthy boundaries with others. Or, maybe you just want to figure out where you fit in the world. Whatever you're struggling with, we can collaborate and figure out the best way to get you to where you'd like to be.

I work with individuals from ages 5 to adult who are struggling with both a mental health issue such as depression, anxiety, life changes or grief and/or an additional diagnosis of autism or other intellectual disability. I also help parents, caregivers, and others who love someone with an intellectual disability. Being the person with these diagnoses or someone who cares for them can feel isolating and confusing. While certain behavioral therapies can be useful for certain individuals, they are not always the correct fit for others. I can offer alternative ways to change undesirable behaviors for all ages.

Life is hard but harder when we deny that fact. We get "stuck", unmotivated, we give up. My practice is "real", it's comfortable and down to earth. It is a safe place free from judgement or criticism. You will be heard and validated and in that there will be growth and change You will find freedom from whatever is keeping you from being the person you want to be, from whatever is keeping you from experiencing the fullness of life. It's all about you. Let's get you out of your head and into living. If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” -Maya Angelo

I am aware that beginning your search for a therapist, can be quite overwhelming. If you are ready for real change in your life and are tired of being stuck in the same routine, same fears, or same unhelpful thought patterns, then we will work very well together. I specialize in working with individuals struggling with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and life transitions. I use EMDR to help people who have experienced a trauma. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). My style is direct, down to earth and focuses on a collaborative approach.

Jessica Connell, LPC, received her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Grace College in 2020. She has expertise in trauma focused therapy and has completed post graduate work and training in EMDR trauma informed therapy. Jessica has experience working in private practice and in mental health/addiction residential treatment settings. Jessica is a graduate of Grace College with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has additional specialized training in EMDR therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.

Are you struggling with adapting to change? Are you trying to cope with feelings of fear and anxiety? If so, I can offer you a safe, comfortable environment in which we can work together to help you explore the challenges which are keeping you from being your best self. I enjoy helping clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship issues, ADHD, life transition challenges and adjustment issues. I am currently offering Telehealth video sessions and would love to hear from you.

I believe every person has the ability to heal, grow and change in the capacity that they desire. Whether you want to improve your communication skills, alleviate mental health symptoms, manage your emotions, or work on other areas of your life— therapy isn’t one size fits all. While my interpersonal approach is rooted in evidence based practices, it is tailored to fit your individual goals. Together, we can collaborate on the fundamental aspects of therapeutic work such as root causes of emotional struggles, providing necessary tools for understanding one’s innate traits + nervous system, and building healthier relationships.

“Healing takes time and asking for help is a courageous step” (Mariska Hargitay). You don’t have to heal alone, engaging in therapy for you and your child is the first step in helping you both heal. Therapy can be a tool used to help you and your child learn skills to make the world feel safer and happier. Please allow me to help you and your child live a more peaceful and calm life. I specialize in working with children and teens who have ASD, sensory processing issues, behavioral issues, anxiety, and ADHD. I also involve parents in the therapy process, as parents play a vital role in helping their children grow.