Therapists in Chicago, IL

As a trauma-informed therapist, I believe developing trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship is crucial to doing meaningful work together. For this reason, I strive to bring warmth and authenticity to my sessions with the goal of supporting clients in feeling truly seen and heard. In graduate school, I trained in feminist therapy which has informed my belief that clients are experts of their own experience and given me a deep understanding of how identity and oppression relate to one’s mental health. I am particularly interested in working with my clients around trauma, grief/loss, and relationships.

Have you ever felt stuck while in a relationship or confused about who you are or where you want to be in your life? Do parts of you feel lost and insecure while other parts of you are so ready to change and give up old habits? These different parts of us may feel pressure from family, friends, work, school, and society to fit a mold of who we are supposed to be as a person. We may even put the most pressure on ourselves to be in control, strive for perfection, or please others. Yet, deep down we may feel empty, out of control, anxious, or inauthentic. You are not alone.

We specialize in complex trauma/C-PTSD, PTSD, depression/anxiety, relationship issues, dissociative disorders, personality disorders, life transitions/adjustment, anger management, obsessive-compulsive behaviors/OCD, self-esteem/shame, oppositional defiance in children, substance abuse, ADHD (children and adults).

NOW accepting new clients! Has life become overwhelming? Do you often feel defeated or unsure of your purpose? Please know that you are not alone in your experiences. It can be challenging to trust enough to talk about what you are going through. I provide a safe and sacred space to talk about your thoughts and feelings without judgment. My goal is to meet you where you are and support you in becoming the best version of yourself.

Life is difficult enough to navigate with support. Welcome to a space where you can find support, understanding, and guidance on your journey towards healing and personal growth. It takes courage and resilience to confront and address our struggles. I am here to provide a non-judgmental environment where you feel empowered and supported to search within and gain clarity about things that haven't made sense. By taking the first step of seeking help, you have started the journey to a deeper understanding of yourself, healthier coping mechanisms, and ultimately a more fulfilling life. I work with adolescents and adults.

Do you find yourself caught in a cycle of self-criticism, leading to persistent feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness? Do your emotions sometimes overwhelm you, resulting in reactions that feel disproportionate to the situation? Navigating relationships can become even more challenging when affected by family dynamics. Maybe you have been having concerns with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief/ loss, life transitions, career/school stress, self-harm, and relationship challenges. Perhaps you’ve become discouraged by your attempts to help yourself. That’s what I’m here for.

An integrative and holistic approach to change, healing, and future growth. Assessing your own being, needs, and internal control while promoting health in the mind-body-and soul. Therapy can heal relationships in your personal and professional worlds. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, communication skills, grief, infertility, eating disorders, etc., you do not have to struggle alone. As a licensed clinical therapist, I commit to diligently working in collaboration with you to bring about the change you desire. I am an experienced therapist, trained yoga instructor, and reiki practitioner.

The decision to seek therapy can be difficult; however, you are here and that's your first step. Do you find yourself struggling in relationships, dealing with depression, anxiety, grief, or trauma? I want to be available to help you through that. I work with individuals and couples. I have a particular passion for working with women who have experienced infidelity in a relationship. Betrayal trauma comes in forms such as having multiple partners, emotional affairs, lying, and gaslighting. I want you to find healing, rebuild trust in yourself, and become whole again.

I specialize in working with men, especially those who identify as gay, bi or queer. Common issues I work with clients on include relationship/intimacy struggles, isolation, depression, shame, career issues, anger/rage, anxiety, sexual issues, feelings of numbness and addiction. I can assure you a level of comfort and understanding as well as specialized training when dealing with these issues. In addition, I take a sex positive approach and am attuned to the needs of poly, non-monogamous, kink and BDSM clients.

You are not alone dealing with anxiety, depression, loss, anger, trauma, or relationship difficulties. I understand the pain and complications of these issues and have successfully helped individuals, like yourself, find peace and happiness for over 20 years. In a relaxed, supportive environment, I will help you explore and process difficult feelings and challenge underlying counterproductive thoughts and behaviors. You will achieve a greater sense of relief and awareness, and develop tools that foster better continued health. I will also help you acquire a more balanced lifestyle achieved through exercise, diet, sleep hygiene, work/life balance and maintaining healthy relationships.

Moving intentionally in the direction of change isn't always as straight-forward as we would like. You, your child, or your family may be facing a period of difficulty and struggling with coping, connection, and the way forward. My role is to assist by walking alongside you and guiding you and your family in seeing things that may be too overwhelming to face alone. Together, we will work on making sense of what happened, is happening, help you find clarity, and (re)build a sense of internal agency and purpose as well as relational cohesion and safety.

It's okay to talk about it. Life brings unexpected and difficult challenges that leave us feeling lost and unsure. Grief, trauma, relationship struggles, life transition, work-related issues, addiction, existential or spiritual doubts, and persistent feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy. These experiences can be demoralizing and defeating but also provide an immense opportunity for change and growth.

If you're struggling with relationship issues, life transitions, or if you're facing a big life decision, I can help! We'll work together to help you face these challenges head on. I have advanced training in the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship concerns. My approach is strengths-based and designed to help my clients identify and remove barriers keeping them from living their best lives possible.

At different points in life we can find ourselves "stuck," feeling anxious, overwhelmed, defeated, exhausted, depressed, or feeling disconnected from ourselves or others. Sometimes something just feels "off." Therapy is an opportunity to make positive changes in one's life and relationships. By gaining an understanding of our needs, motives, and fears, we can move out of an "auto-pilot" mode and into an active role in our lives. I work alongside clients to help them develop awareness of their options, identify self-defeating patterns, and help remove the obstacles creating distress. Together we shed light on what has been neglected.

Becoming a counselor is one of the greatest joys of my life. It is an incredible honor to walk alongside each and every one of my clients as they let me into their stories. I believe our stories are powerful and shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. It can take courage to walk into the counseling room and talk about your pain, struggles, and hurt. It is my hope you leave our space feeling known, empowered, and like you are working toward holistic healing and growth. It has been my joy to work with both individuals and couples, equipping them with tools and being an ally with them on their journeys.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist who believes healthy relationships are the stepping stones to healing, processing, and understanding not only each other but also ourselves. While utilizing Gottman, emotion-focused, strategic, and experiential approaches, I seek to create a space for clients to feel safe in their therapeutic process. I also provide a space for couples to reconnect, rebuild, and redefine their relationship at each stage of their lives. I acknowledge each client’s experiences as their own while providing a systemic perspective to assist them in their process to self-discovery.

Do you feel caught in a web of worry, sadness, or uncertainty? I understand those feelings. I also understand the healing that comes from being heard, validated, and supported. There is hope and positive change is possible with the right support and coping skills. I will help you get to the root cause of your problems, overcome your challenges, and shift into the person you want to be.

Hi! I'm Blake D. Osborne, L.C.S.W. I am mainly doing Telehealth but can meet in person when necessary in the Skokie/Glenview area. I have over twenty-five years experience. I enjoy what I do! I am easy-going, flexible, accepting and down-to-earth. I use research-supported methods. Specialties: Kids and Teens, including ADHD, anger, anxiety, behavioral issues, depression, homework, learning issues, OCD, panic, social skills, toileting. Adults: Mood issues, relationship problems, work issues, and grief. My goal: to make progress simply and efficiently. You should see some change in five-ten sessions.

Cheri DeMoss is founder & director of Empowering OptionsTM Counseling Innovations. For the past 29 years, Cheri's approach is distinctive in its effectiveness. She provides key information; clear insights & innovative techniques to use immediately. By teaming new information with fresh ways to look at long-standing beliefs, reactions, & behavior patterns you can create the changes you want. Whether you want to improve your relationship, alleviate depression, or be more pro-active in your life - the things we struggle with come from not having relevant knowledge that we can turn into action.