Therapists in Chicago, IL

My practice prioritizes women and femmes. My therapeutic approach is collaborative and relational from both a trauma informed and feminist orientation. I believe that we are all resilient, each of us has unique strengths. I work with my clients to build on these strengths, increase their insight, and develop the trust needed to achieve their goals. I do this by providing a safe space in which you may process your experiences, express your feelings, challenge unhealthy relationship patterns, and develop self-awareness.

What's holding you back? I work with driven professionals to work through obstacles and get you back on track to the life you want. Whether it's a diagnosable disorder like depression, something from your past you'd like to sort out, an addiction or consistent compulsion, or a relational issue, it's my privilege to offer my training and experience in service of your goals. I find a lot of our experience comes down to patterns. Our brains quickly assess a situation, choose from a list of pre-formed thoughts and behaviors, and push "GO."

You may be feeling curious or unclear about how you want to show up in this world. In your past, you may not have had access to a space where you’ve felt valued and empowered to do this exploration work. Yet alone, have someone to guide you through this process of unraveling systemic oppression and societal expectations. In our work, we’ll address those associated fears or anxieties you have related to showing up as all of you. You deserve to move through this journey of discovery with ease, and I am passionate about providing you with that support.

We all encounter periods of disconnection and unhappiness in life. Difficult relationships, unsatisfying careers, and adjusting to life’s transitions can contribute to these feelings. For many, harmful coping mechanisms develop in response to these challenges, exacerbating feelings of despair and loss of control. However, times of suffering can also serve as invitations to let go of limiting beliefs and ineffective coping strategies in order to become the person we aspire to be.

Rachel Zar, PhD, LMFT, CST, is an individual and couples therapist—and an AASECT-certified sex therapist. Rachel knows that sex and relationships can be among the most difficult topics to talk about, so she strives to create a safe, non-judgmental space for these intimate and essential conversations. Her integrative approach is both warm and direct; it’s both creative and based in current therapeutic and medical research. She believes that collaboration is the key to success, so she meets clients where they are and works with them to access their unique strengths and empower them to reach their goals.

Feeling stuck, frustrated, stressed, or in search of meaning? These emotions are universal, but they can hinder us from reaching our goals and living authentically. If you identify with the LGBTQ community, as a gay identifying therapist, I understand you might experience an added layer of stress. I understand the impact of these feelings and believe in hope for a better tomorrow. I specialize in helping clients with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, relational issues, and men's mental health issues.

I'm a Taiwanese/Chinese second-generation immigrant who grew up in the Midwest. Born to first-generation immigrants, I've witnessed the ways my parents’ migration experiences and has worked to understand and break cycles of generational trauma. I've dealt with the forces of assimilation, gendered and racialized identity formation, and the need to establish a sense of belonging within an immigrant family surrounded by predominantly Christian, white communities. I've worked with individuals/couples that are challenged by anxiety, trauma, depression, stress, family/relationship conflicts, racial/sexual identities, LGBTQ+ issues, etc.

I work with people who are experiencing anxiety and distress. Many feel stuck in unsatisfying experiences. We can gently explore these experiences in ways that can loosen their "grip", and bring innate healing resources into play, cultivating a deeper sense of ease and opportunity in everyday experience. The dissolving of these unsatisfying patterns, and the appearance and growth of more satisfying ones, happens in both individual and relationship therapy.

I emphasize diversity, creativity, and inclusion in my practice. I recognize the effects of the larger societal and cultural environment in which identity and relationships around sexual orientation and class are shaped. It is my goal to promote the process of healing by creating a safe and affirming space for clients to cultivate an understanding within themselves that can help unveil the deeper meaning their struggle is pointing towards.

The world can feel very uncertain, discordant, unjust, and sometimes unbearable; in my approach I aim to look with you both internally and externally to find moments of reflection, validation, empowerment, clarity, and care. I use a warm, relational approach to my work with clients. Most importantly I strive to uphold anti-racist, liberatory, and LGBTQIA+ affirming scaffolding in my practice and I am always learning more in this respect. Therapy should feel safe, empowering, collaborative, and be a place where communication is transparent.

Each person I have the honor of working with allows me into their life in a unique way that I value and consistently strive to gain greater humility from. I think that being Seen & Heard without judgement, and feeling truly cared for, is essential for therapy to be healing. That is why I prioritize the establishment of a safe, affirming, and honestly inclusive space for exploring the psyche through the lens in which you view your sense of Self and lived experiences. From here, it is my intention to walk alongside you on a journey of continually discovering what being authentic in this expression of self means to you.

My primary focus is to empower individuals on their therapeutic journeys by utilizing artistic practices and expression. Life isn’t one size fits all so it’s only fair that your therapy ought not be. My approach is integrative and includes elements of trauma and culturally informed practices, IFS, EMDR, DBT, feminist/Queer relational, psychodynamic, and client centered modalities. As a practicing interdisciplinary artist l utilize a variety of approaches to art making in my personal practice. Embodying a creative approach to healing that centers both empowerment and agency is at the center of my clinical practice.

What's your definition of birthright? As we grow, family, culture, and society can assign meaning that does not serve our best interest but theirs. Devastatingly, we're often taught to point the finger back at ourselves when things go wrong. But I believe we heal and thrive when we nurture healthy intrinsic (fundamental to who we are) connection to ourselves and others. This work creates a safety net allowing us to build self-esteem and adapt without losing our personal power. Pursuing the arts with a former career as a performer, choreographer, and artistic director, I strongly relate to "fitting-in while trying to stand-out".

The decision to begin therapy, or start with a new therapist, can be intimidating. I look forward to joining with you in support as we work towards health and wellness. As an experienced clinician, we will work together to find the approach to therapy that best fits your needs and goals. I will to create a warm and accepting environment to explore feelings, thoughts, and experiences, while building a collaborative and trusting relationship. We will focus on your strengths, empower you to develop goals, and work on making decisions to support your goals.

As a relational therapist, I focus on supporting and witnessing clients in finding healing, connection, conflict resolution, and repair to ultimately build a life and relationships that honor their values and imagination. Therapy is an opportunity for liberation from dominant social narratives that don’t work for us as individuals or in our relationships, and I recognize the intergenerational and ongoing trauma of struggling against those dominant narratives. All relationships can benefit from this lens – whether they're romantic, platonic, brand new, long-term, with others, or with parts of yourself.

We are our biggest project to work on. If you are feeling ready to explore your emotions and thought processes, reach out via the email button on the side panel (or visit my professional website by clicking "visit website".. I specialize in generalized anxiety, depression, and relational dynamic issues. Do you feel ready to take the deep dive into the self?

Carl Jung once said: "Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes." Coming to therapy is an act of courage in itself and a testament to awakening your heart as a compass. Working together in a safe environment of acceptance and empathic dialogue, we will navigate struggles, develop healthy coping skills, and outline strategies that create hope and healing in the short term and generate meaningful, lasting change in the long term.

Whatever has brought you to seek help at this time, you are taking a courageous step forward. In our initial meetings, I will hold an open space for you to begin to tell your unique story of your self, relationships, family, culture, strengths and struggles. You can expect me to listen deeply to begin to learn about you and your reasons for seeking therapy. We all have some aspects about ourselves that we don’t fully understand or may not have words for yet. Psychotherapy can create a place where you can discover some of these unspoken thoughts and feelings, and in turn, powerful transformation can occur.

I work alongside clients to help them develop a more balanced, integrated, and grounded sense of self. I believe that through therapy, people can gain more in-depth awareness of their emotional experience, their thoughts and behaviors, and how one’s past may inform one’s present. This awareness can help create space for self-acceptance and self-compassion, and cultivate personal growth and desired change. I find that my approach to therapy tends to be a good fit for people who are looking to gain insight and understanding about themselves, not just looking for skills to manage symptoms or "quick fixes."