Sex Therapy in Lakeview East, Chicago, IL

I work with individuals and couples with a variety of emotional and interpersonal concerns. I have a particular interest in working with issues around intimacy, sexuality, and identity. Sexual difficulties and dissatisfaction are surprisingly common. In fact, most of us will experience some sexual difficulties even in the best of relationships and at the best of times. However, misunderstood and unaddressed sexual difficulties can have a domino effect, negatively impacting how you view yourself, your partner, and your relationship. The result often entails unnecessary feelings of disconnection, frustration, anxiety, and shame, not to mention the loss of your sex life!

You are the one that lives your worries, fears, shame, and desires. You are the expert or emerging expert on your own life. Sure, it may not feel that way because this world is confusing and overwhelming (and a bit devastating). My aim is to help you become more aware of your emotions, relationship patterns, and unhelpful thoughts, and become more responsive to your needs, desires, and values in authentic ways. My hope is that we can help you begin to feel more comfortable and confidant with who you are, who you want to be, and how to get there.

Are you struggling in one or more aspects of your relationship with your significant other? Is your sex life not as satisfying as you hoped it to be? Are you facing trauma, loss, disruptive transitions, divorce or cultural adjustments? We will work together to define your goals and maximize your strengths in a process that is collaborative and driven by you. It is my belief that the therapeutic growth occurs in between sessions; therefore, you will be provided with the proper tools to develop insights about non-productive behaviors and patterns of thinking, and improve your daily life.

I am a therapist and life coach whose passion is to help you unblock yourself so that you can build a life that reflects your authentic self. I am thankful to have seven years of experience in the field of Mental Health and Life Coaching. I'm a fully licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializing in areas of PTSD, anxiety, spirituality, self-esteem, and sexuality as well as the expat & digital nomad population. I have worked as a life coach with clients from all over the world, including Australia, Canada, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Singapore, and throughout Europe.

I believe that each client has a story to share, stemming from a diverse and unique background - and seek to hold clients in a safe, nurturing space that is truly their own. My conviction is that it is the relationship between the therapist and the client that is ultimately what heals, and when it works, it is immensely powerful. I am passionate about exploring ways to help clients discover their own resiliency and live more authentically in order to create the mental and emotional space to reach their fullest potential.

Modern relationships are HARD. It’s a struggle to find the right person OR to wonder if your current partner is possibly the wrong person. It’s tough when you feel burned by or totally confused about your path. Maybe you’ve even made choices or overlooked things you now regret. Or, maybe it’s a relationship with a boss or coworkers who undervalue you or play favorites with others. Your work ethic and good ideas have long taken a backseat to putting out fires or just avoiding things way more than you should. You’re past thinking that life’s fair. But, you never thought that things could go THIS wrong or get under your skin THIS much.

I'm a Mental Health Clinician with over 20yrs experience, and also a Certified Sex Therapist. I work with LGBTQ+ and heterosexual people on a variety of relational and mental health issues, as well as sexual and intimacy concerns. I approach my work from a sexual health model and values driven perspective. I work with clients on consensual non-monogamy/polyam, kink, BDSM, as well as sexual health challenges such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, desire discrepancies, etc. I continue to work with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, as well as navigating life!

You may feel your true, joyful self is hidden under layers of depression, anxiety, guilt, or shame. Maybe you’re trying to figure out how to achieve your dreams of living the life you were meant to live. Maybe you’re trying to deal with being alone for the first time, or again. Or maybe you’re trying to manage a relationship that has gotten very tense, or is long distance. You may have had a negative experience with therapy in the past. I'm a solution focused therapist working with an incredible team and if I can't help there'll be someone on my team who can.

You are ready to make a change. You may be saying to yourself, “I don't know ‘what's wrong,’ I just know that I don't feel right,” or you may be having relationship distress and don't know what to do next. I believe that our behaviors are rooted in self-protection and that there are valid reasons that we react the way we do. Let's explore! This is your journey, and I am there to support you. Through collaborative work, we'll create the path to positive change. My work is enhanced by my years as an artist, small business owner, parent, and community member.

As a queer transgender therapist, I believe there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to living our lives. The same goes for therapy - there isn't a "right way" to do it. In my practice, I am committed to helping individuals tap into their personal strengths and uncover a path that is meaningful and fulfilling. I trust that my clients are the experts on their own lives and have the skills and tools they need to navigate their problems. However, I'm here to provide support and guidance when they need it.

You want a therapist who is more than just a good listener. Therapy should be a supportive but challenging and dynamic space that opens up new ways of relating to the world. I aim to build a relationship based on trust and honesty to help you develop new skills and uncover opportunities for agency and growth. Clients appreciate the frankness, humor, and authenticity I bring to the therapy space. I see value in deep exploration, but will balance it with attention to opportunities for action you can take now in your daily life. I see clients not as people who are "sick", but rather "stuck." I want to help you get unstuck.

I have experience working with individual adults and partnerships in areas such as anxiety, depression, sex & intimate wellness, relationship conflict, sexual assault, life transitions, and self esteem. One of my primary areas of expertise is working with members of the LGBTQ+ community in areas of positive sexual and/ or gender identity, coming out, transitioning, and sexual health. However, I work with people of all identities and backgrounds. I foster a therapeutic space that is identity-affirming, sex-positive, and polyamorous- and kink-affirming.

I believe in your innate capacity for change and growth. With warmth and empathy, I'll guide you in understanding patterns that may hinder your life. I offer tailored support for sexual concerns and relationship issues. Together, we'll address challenges and empower your journey to a more fulfilling life. Your potential for transformation starts here. Contact me to begin.

When her initial pursuit of a career in evangelical ministry was disrupted by a mental health crisis, Casey was forced to reckon with the harmful impact of purity culture and systemic homophobia on her sense of self. After coming out as queer at a college that expressly forbid “homosexual behavior,” Casey made it her mission to disrupt misinformation and barriers to authenticity by pursuing her masters in counseling with a specialization in sexual and gender diversity, and ultimately received her Sexual Health Certificate from University of Michigan.

In a time where the world is shifting toward isolation, I will guide you in new ways to help form closer relationships to yourself and to others no matter your orientation or relationship style. Whether you are challenged by self-esteem, emotional connection, body image, anxiety, sexuality, conflict management, (re)building intimacy, differing sexual desires, arousal concerns, or navigating the world of dating; huge transformations await you! I'll support and guide your efforts to become more aware of intruding patterns to embrace more understanding and meaning in your life and help you become closer to the people you love.

There are numerous reasons why an individual makes a decision to seek therapy. From my perspective, the key factor in being able to examine your individual reasons is based upon the relationship between yourself and your therapist. I offer a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment in order to explore your individual needs with a commitment to placing the highest priority on your care. We will work collaboratively to identify and address your concerns in order to foster meaningful change in your life. My clinical experience has included working not only with individuals but couples, families and groups.

The ideal client is seeking out reassurance and support in times of calm as well as crisis. The goal is to help clients with the issues facing them every day to treat the entire person, not just the pinpointed issue. A therapist is only as strong as the relationship with each client. Each client is unique, collaboratively we find an approach to therapy that fits to your specific needs and goals then we re-evaluate to bring about the best self. Whether it be LGBTQIA+ issues, sex/intimacy, relationships, depression, anxiety, OCD, substance use, kink and/or other issues, you aren't alone. Together we can get you where you want to go.

I am passionate about working with children & adolescents managing anxiety & depression; adults who are stressed or who have experienced trauma; OCD and ERP; and working with individuals or those involved in improving their relationships (couples or polycule therapy). I am proud to be an affirming clinician, supporting clients who identify as LGBTQIA+ & those from marginalized backgrounds. Working closely with parents as individuals or as part of a family system is also a specialty of mine. I understand the stress, pressure, love, & energy ever-present in parenting, & strive to help folx find methods, support, & balance.

Allison Sheade is a feminist psychodynamic, relational, trauma-focused LCPC in Chicago. Her style is warm, empathic, collaborative, and direct. Allison has an active style, and clients enjoy knowing that she will offer insights, interpretations, and feedback that are effective, helpful, and supportive. Allison has worked in community mental health, at the Women's Center at Northwestern University, and in outpatient settings. Allison works with diverse populations and operates from a multicultural perspective, valuing differences of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender and sexuality (+ poly & kink), ableness, and world-view.