Somatic Therapists in Chicago, IL

I approach therapy believing that we need more than talk therapy to unlock our wellness and healing. We need to tune into our body! I use a combination of modalities to guide our work, namely tenets of somatic trauma healing and psychodynamic psychology. Together, we’ll work to deepen your understanding of self and the world around you by exploring your body as a shape, molded by a lifetime of your lived experiences. We’ll honor all parts of who you are, knowing that the "best" and "worst" versions of you both deserve dignity and care.

Sometimes it feels like life is just working against us. You may feel overwhelmed, lost, stressed, numb, or disconnected from the people and things in your life that you care about the most—including yourself. Together, we will strengthen and expand your capacity to be with, and work through, the challenges that come your way, while building self-compassion, mindfulness, and a sense of connection to your truest, most whole self. As we explore your experiences and current coping strategies, you can gain meaningful insight, discover which approaches are no longer serving you, and unlock the ability to make more intentional choices.

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.

Clients often find me when they feel that traditional talk therapy doesn't seem to be enough - when they have gained lots of valuable insight into the "why" behind their experience, but the physiological symptoms persist. Intellectualy understanding our past traumas is different from healing, integrating, and organizing our past (and present) traumatic experiences. Clients who come to me are often engaged in an ongoing battle with their own nervous system responses, and often feel stuck in adaptive patterns without knowing how to break free.

Life pulls us in all different directions. Sometimes the direction is exciting and sometimes it's overwhelming. I'd be honored to help you walk through the parts of life that feel like too much. I specialize in working with people dealing with trauma, chronic illness, grief, and people who care for others. I work with a trauma informed approach and somatic approach to help you reach your goals.

My therapeutic approach is client-centered, strengths-based, creative and collaborative, one in which I often incorporate meditation and somatic work, informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory. I seek to create a therapeutic environment where you will feel heard, validated and understood. We live in a society where we often feel we should weather stress alone but sometimes having someone truly hear you and see you makes all the difference.

I'm licensed as a clinical social worker and certified as a psychologically sensitive, trauma-informed yoga teacher through Chicago Room to Breathe. Additionally, I am currently going through the Somatic Attachment Therapy certification program through The Embody Lab. I specialize in anxiety, depression, self-esteem, life transitions, relationship difficulties, and complex trauma recovery. I'm an attuned therapist with the intention of meeting clients where they are.

In my experience, therapy is a collaborative process, and healing means growing into a more affirming, resilient, and accountable experience of life. In the process of living, you may have created and held onto ineffective relationship patterns or symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma in order to protect yourself and survive. Together, we’ll identify and understand the contexts in which these patterns developed in body, mind, and spirit in order to create the acceptance and self-compassion that can support deep healing and more fulfilling relationships with self and others.

I believe that we all have the right to find safety, empowerment, and acceptance in our own lives and in the relationships we value. My work begins with genuine curiosity, and continues toward leading clients into creating their own meanings from lived experiences. Working together, we can build up self-advocacy and allow for self-love to flow through so that you may choose how to begin creating practices of care and support.

I believe relationships are fundamental building blocks of life. I strive to foster a non-judgmental, authentic, environment that honors the connection each individual has to the self, and the world in which they exist. My approach is collaborative, and focuses on client's fundamental inner strengths to promote growth and cultivate change. I lean into curiosity, humor, and compassion when working with my clients, and you can expect my techniques to be rooted in mind-body connection.

Feeling stuck, anxious, or unsure how to make positive changes in your life? I'm a queer, nonbinary therapist focused on intersectionality and identity. I empower individuals, especially LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and those navigating gender/sexuality, using a client-centered, strength-based approach. My eclectic modalities include acceptance, mindfulness, somatic, and harm-reduction methods. I bring a relational, compassionate, and humorous approach. Each person is an expert in their own lived experience. Let's create a therapeutic experience that leaves you centered, heard, and fulfilled.

I’m Rita and I’m glad you’re here! I specialize in working with young adults (18-35 years old), that identify as artists, creatives, healers and therapists to uncover their motivations, passions, and internal voices. I have advanced training in and specialize in PTSD, Developmental Trauma, and Attachment. Trauma can create global effects on the mind and body, and I work hard, alongside my clients, to remove trauma blocks from their path, in order to clear the way towards the bold lives that they have dreamed for themselves. I utilize EMDR and Somatic Experiencing to help my clients work somatically to heal trauma stored in the body.

My passion for the Collective Liberation of all LGBTQIA+ identifying folks through vulnerability, self reflection, and community connection help inform my approach. Are you a member of the QTBIPoC population seeking a space to process everything that is happening all at once? Are you invested in Revolution and Liberation, struggling with self connection and maintenance? Do you want a therapist that honors where you’re at while also helping you work towards your favorite self? Collaboration, Challenge and Compassion are things I provide to help guide you towards a more grounded life.

I am committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for clients to grow in self-awareness, curiosity, responsibility and authenticity. I use a variety of client-centered treatment modalities in my work depending on the individual client's needs, including Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Somatic Experiencing. I believe in the mind-body connection and work to incorporate the body's knowledge in treating a variety of presenting concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and life transitions.

Thank you for taking this first step in finding me here. You may be experiencing life challenges, relationship issues, and/or work stressors. You’re ready to break these patterns and gain clarity. I specialize my approach to what you need at the moment, whether that’s developing healthy boundaries, communication skills, or connecting with a deeper purpose. I welcome a wide variety of client concerns, with a specialization in healing the root cause of mental health issues utilizing talk therapy, somatic releasing work, and breathing exercises.

You have a critical inner voice saying you aren’t good enough, you’re an imposter, or you’re a burden to those you care about. Your mental health is impacting your physical health, you have trouble sleeping, and you find it difficult to manage your thoughts, emotions, and stress levels. You also have difficulty navigating relationship(s) (especially family ones) and you want to have healthier relationships where you can speak honestly about your feelings and needs, feel less guilt, and find peace of mind. You also want to understand your emotional triggers and find healthy ways to soothe yourself.

I am a pre-licensed mental health counselor with experience in community-based mental health and crisis intervention. I believe in the transformative nature of community, and I value exploring the intersections of identity and the ways they interact with your life and lived experiences. My goal is to encourage the strengthening of your voice and to better understand how various systems impact how we show up. You already have the answers within you, and my role is to collaborate with you in the recalling of them.

Are you finding yourself caught in repetitive cycles or feeling trapped? I offer a guiding hand in healing the parts of ourselves that seem complex to navigate. Unraveling our past and present can be daunting, stirring up various emotions and impacting our mental well-being. As much as we aspire to evolve into a more empowered version of ourselves, it can sometimes feel like a puzzle, leading to frustration and even overwhelm. During these times, a dedicated, safe space becomes essential for our well-being to release and process our feelings and experiences, allowing us to expand our perspective and choose differently.

Searching for a therapist can be overwhelming, even more so when you are going through life challenges and have limited energy to spare. Therapy can provide a space for healing, clarity, and growth, and the relationship between therapist and client has been found to be the most important ingredient in that process. I approach my work with flexibility, compassion, and a deep respect for self-determination. I firmly believe you are the expert in your experience.