Therapists in Riverwoods, IL

I am a warm, flexible, thoughtful and experienced licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and psychoanalyst located just north Chicago's Loop. I establish supportive and comfortable therapeutic relationships with individuals and couples. Sessions are customized to the unique needs, goals, and strengths of each client. Typical challenges include the following: depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, work difficulties, grief or loss, relationship issues or patterns, substance or alcohol abuse, divorce, parenting, stress management, painful emotional symptoms, personality disorders, and renewing hope.

I feel honored when a client allows me access to a part of them usually kept hidden. The relationship has the potential to be truly special. I enjoy my work with individuals and couples. While I specialize in Marital/Couples therapy and ADHD, I also work well with many types of concerns including: Depression, Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem, Family Conflict, Work or School problems, Stress Management and Anger Management.

My patient-focused therapeutic approach is designed to promote positive outcomes for patients who are facing some of life's toughest challenges, and guide them to use their inner strength to become more confident and ultimately meet their goals. All of this is accomplished in an empathic way, while I listen and offer feedback. As they grow, my patients become happier and more successful in their lives.

Hello! I've joined Affiliates In Counseling so I can continue my work using emotionally focused strategies to work with adults & teens who suffer from anxiety, depression and stress, as well as those experiencing grief, life changes, job loss and isolation, in both the northern suburbs and in Chicago. As a couples & family counselor, I've had great success utilizing these same emotional tools to strengthen and enhance more effective and long-term communication skills, helping to build more fulfilling relationships. Finally, I had the honor working directly in both the post-deployment veteran and LGBTQ communities during my training.

I work with people who want to overcome personal obstacles that seem to recur again and again. While it is sometimes possible to face such issues alone, you may reach the point where another set of eyes and ears is necessary. Difficulties such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trust, and anger issues, can be more complex than they first appear. Together, we will pay close attention to the way you experience yourself and others. Over time, you may begin to see and do things differently and with a greater sense of freedom and authenticity.

I have been in private practice for over 20 years and have treated thousands of clients including individuals, families, children and adults. People often come in seeking relief from a range of struggles including depression, anxiety, ADHD, and family conflicts. Through my work with many families I began to also address issues of parenting and family dynamics as well as children and adolescents facing a variety of disorders, self-esteem issues, and acting out behaviors. Over the span of my career I have also treated substance abuse, bipolar, psychotic and personality disorders.

I'm here to guide you when you are ready. I value a truly collaborative approach that allows you to take ownership of your treatment. I believe in the importance of creating a therapeutic space where you can show up as your authentic selves and be open.

I strive to provide a warm, judgment-free environment where patients can explore their mental health goals and discover their inner strengths. I aim to meet patients where they are, offering compassionate support throughout their counseling journey. In sessions, I collaborate with patients to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to their values and needs. I have experience helping individuals manage conditions like depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, low self-esteem, major life changes, and compulsive gambling.

We all experience emotional and physical difficulties from time to time. Often we are able to deal with these life experiences ourselves. Sometimes, however, it is not possible for us to resolve these challenges alone. In these situations professional help is appropriate. Until fifty years ago anyone experiencing psychological and/or physical stress was treated individually. Family therapy grew out of a simple but profound idea: People in crisis can often be best understood and treated within their own famiies. As a certified family therapist, as well as a certified psychoanalyst, I have the education necessary to see both famiies and individuals.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life and all of its moving parts? Are your emotions weighing you down and keeping you from reaching your full potential? I am here to be the support you need to make long lasting change. Together, we can make sense of your struggles and put the past to rest, so you can take charge over the rest of your life. I specialize in working with adolescents and adults struggling with anxiety, depression, and substance use related issues.

I help people wishing to improve the quality of their lives by focusing on their interpersonal needs and how they gratify or frustrate their most important priorities. My training provides me with a strong foundation in helping to guide individuals, couples and families to identify the obstacles hindering their feelings of satisfaction and to apply the most effective therapeutic interventions. I have served 38 years on the faculty of Northwestern University Medical School and I have had the opportunities to serve as an expert consultant to many companies, attorneys, public safety agencies, and as an expert witness.

I support adults navigating through anxiety, depression, burnout, relationship challenges, and various personal issues. My approach is centered on fostering clarity and personal growth. While I maintain a relaxed and easygoing demeanor, I'm not afraid to respectfully challenge my clients when circumstances call for it. In our sessions, we'll delve into different aspects of your life to uncover patterns that may be impeding your progress towards your goals.

Has life given you unexpected curveballs that cause stress or sadness? If so, you are in the right place! Please allow me the privilege of collaborating to achieve optimal wellness and life satisfaction. I utilize a litany of tools to identify “hang ups,” and provide a gentle, caring, and authentic environment to develop a game plan that supports progress and capitalizes on strengths. I believe that everyone can thrive better with support and connection. I encourage introspection and self-awareness to better connect peacefully with yourself and the world. I presently provide virtual sessions for state of Illinois residents.

I work with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and families who struggle with issues of anxiety, depression, confidence, and interpersonal relationships. The number one aspect of successful treatment is a strong/trusting relationship. I connect with clients through sports metaphors, movies, real life scenarios, and getting to understand their interests. Everyone has a story so I believe it is important to include family during phases of treatment, to best understand the client's story. In addition, I believe the family is a necessary part of the therapy team, therefore family members are included in phases of treatment to ultimately help my client reach their goals.

Sculpting meaning from our lives can be challenging especially during difficult times. I am a licensed clinical Psychologist who provides evidence-based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and am a Linehan Board Certified clinician with an expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I have an expertise treating a wide range of mental disorders with a specific focus on problems of emotional dysregulation including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and personality disorders.

Most of my work is assessment and therapy. I love working with children and their families where the family dynamics may be creating some stress within the family system. I enjoy the process of getting children and families engaged in therapy and working together to identify the values of the children and their families. Clients who are looking to strengthen their family bonds and develop their family unit are some of my favorite things to work on. Much of my interest and experience has been around bullying and trauma, and I greatly enjoy being a part of the growth my clients make while addressing these issues.

At Heart Light, we believe that personal growth is a natural psychological process that fundamentally belongs to you, not to us. Some mental health professionals seem to imagine themselves as mental and emotional surgeons, whose goal is to identify problems and then fix them for you. We envision ourselves as more akin to doctors that deliver babies. We are ready to intervene as and when needed, but our primary role is to facilitate a natural process that belongs, first and foremost, to you. Our goal is to guide and encourage your growth by helping you to empower yourself.

Is your anxiety preventing you (or your child) from being who you (or they) want to be? Wish you or your child could just get over it? If it was only that simple. Sometimes we just need someone who can give us the tools to not be crippled with anxiety. Anxiety is a necessary part of life, but shouldn't interfere. You're not looking for someone to just talk to on an ongoing basis; that's what your friends and family are for (and you don't need to pay them!) I'm going to help you get in and out of my office feeling "cured" as quickly as we can so that you can save money and be who you want to be.

Dr Stuart Pinkwater, PsyD, is an exceptional choice for Older Adults seeking counseling or psychotherapy. With a wealth of experience Dr P demonstrates a profound understanding of the unique challenges and dynamics that accompany aging. Using Telehealth services (Face Time and Zoom) and accepting both Medicare and BlueCross allows Dr P to offer his service at a convenient time, you never have to leave your home and a most reasonable rate.