Therapists in Chicago, IL

We have immediate in-person and virtual openings! Our clients mainly struggle with depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, grief, OCD, autism, eating disorders, and ADHD. They want and need to feel and function better and we work with them to achieve their goals. We see clients of all ages, developmental stages, identities, and backgrounds and tailor our treatment modalities to fit our client's needs. All of our clients are matched with a clinician who will best fit you needs and personality. Our goal is to help you and your loved ones reach your mental health goals and live your best life. Come see how much better you can feel!

I understand that life has ups and downs which looks different to everyone and pain is something we all experience. I approach therapy with a strengths based approach and believe that even when people are struggling that have many strength that helped get them where they are today. I believe that you are the expert of your own life and my role is to support you non-judgmentally while helping you work towards the goals you choose. I am currently offering telehealth session and limited in-person sessions.

Whether this is your first time seeking therapy or have prior experience, looking for the right fit in a therapist can be a difficult and vulnerable journey. I have extensive experience with providing therapy to individuals with depression, anxiety, non-suicidal self-injury, self-esteem issues, eating disorders, body image concerns, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and ideation, psychosis, personality disorders, LGBTQIA+ issues, interpersonal issues, and trauma/PTSD/complex PTSD. I enjoy working with individuals who desire to learn effective coping strategies to reach their goals!

Are you or your teen struggling with navigating your identity? Have you experienced trauma, bullying, communication issues, self-harm, or suicidal ideation? Has your gender and/or sexuality impacted your mental health and you are wanting to learn how to embrace your most authentic self? Knowing how to navigate your own identity, or knowing how to support your child as they discover parts of who they are, can be a scary process. In order to embrace authenticity we need safety, security, and an ability to communicate. We will work together on finding healing, cultivating healthy communication, and creating a sense of safety.

Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and hold a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University. I believe everyone deserves to live a life worth living and it's my role to help clients achieve that goal. I believe in a very collaborative relationship with clients to help build an open and honest relationship. I will work very hard to provide you with a nonjudgmental space to allow for safe self-expression while processing and gaining an understanding of behaviors, thought patterns, and core beliefs.

I believe that long- lasting, meaningful growth thrives in self-compassion, honoring shame, and creating purpose. Inherited and experienced trauma can remain in the body and inform our choices, so one of my goals is to offer a guiding hand in disentangling negative core beliefs from the body and sense of self. My therapeutic practice is filtered through a strengths-based and feminist lens, and as a queer therapist, I aim to foster an LGBTQIA+ affirming space, challenge racist systems, encourage body empowerment at every size, and promote sex-positivity.

In my 10 years of practice as a psychotherapist, I have worked with people facing many struggles, including surviving past trauma and abuse, feeling suicidal, and severe/chronic mental illness. As a member of the LGBTQ community, I have worked with many people who identify as LGBTQ, and have supported people through coming out, gender transition, and accessing gender-affirming health care. As a white therapist, when working with BIPOC clients, I use the frameworks of anti-racism and cultural humility, and strive to make space for exploring the impacts of racism and racial differences.

I take an empathetic and client centered approach to therapy, recognizing that it takes a lot of courage and vulnerability to take the steps towards making positive changes in your life. I believe that all individuals have the tools to be successful in life and empower clients to use their strengths to make change. I value the therapeutic relationship and take a collaborative approach to working with children and adolescents.

If you identify as LGBTQIA+, femme, and/ or a person of color you may be facing obstacles or concerns in your life that are heavy on your mind. The weight of your worries may be leaving you feeling sad, frustrated, afraid or even angry. It may feel bigger than what you have time for right now, causing you to hold back when you want to say something. It may be more and more difficult to disclose any of these feelings to anyone without falling apart. It’s okay to feel sadness, frustration or anger and it is okay to take time to talk about it. You can learn to allow room for all of your feelings.

Hello! I’m Mary Gende, and I specialize in working with kids, adolescents and families. I have worked in an elementary school setting for several years helping students address emotional regulation, social skills, anxiety management, grief management, depression, suicidal thoughts, and more. I am passionate about helping people of all ages gain the necessary tools to cope with life’s ups and downs, because I believe that with time and support, we are all capable of managing stress and distress, along with any other emotions we may encounter.

I have experience and highly value working with Queer (LGBTQIA+), Latinx/First-Generation, poor, BIPOC, and other marginalized folx from adolescence through adulthood. I have worked with survivors of complex and acute trauma, and with clients experiencing - among others - symptoms of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, obsessive thoughts, relationship challenges, perfectionism, people pleasing, and isolation.

I work best with clients who are curious about themselves and who are ready to examine what could be better in their lives and relationships. You and I will collaborate to understand your current pain in terms of your past struggles and the protective coping strategies you've utilized to make it this far. We will build compassion for parts of you that may be critical, fearful, ashamed or hopeless, and we will study the relationships you have with these parts, with other people, and with the world while building skills to regulate your nervous system, inhabit your body more fully, and experience joy, connection and pleasure.

I have over 13 years of experience practicing therapy with children, adults, and families in a variety of settings who are dealing with a wide array of clinical issues. My main areas of clinical focus have been depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, anxiety, panic, trauma, and anger as well as behavioral, family, and interpersonal problems. If you find yourself or your child challenged with constant worry, low mood, lack of motivation, anger or interpersonal struggles, I am here to help!

It takes great courage to come to therapy, and the most important part of being a clinician is the therapeutic relationship I develop with my clients. I provide a space for individuals to feel safe, supported, and empowered to be their authentic selves. I utilize a variety of therapeutic modalities including: Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy.

Do you often find yourself feeling stuck within yourself, relationships, or within your environment? My ideal client is ready for change. They are open to creative ideas and new ways of thinking about themselves and the world. I work with clients to gain a stronger sense of self by exploring the ways past and present experiences prevent you from living the life you are meant to be living. I approach these struggles through a holistic and trauma informed approach, which incorporates body-based, anti-oppression, and harm reduction practices.

I believe in the transformative power of change. Learning to work with impermanence and change holds the key to our freedom. As we navigate life's unexpected challenges and transitions, I offer myself as a compassionate companion on your journey towards self-discovery and personal growth. As a trauma informed therapist, my therapeutic approach emphasizes authenticity, vulnerability, cultural humility, transparency and focus on mind-body relations. I incorporate mindfulness, somatics, and parts work into our sessions, recognizing that our inner selves are composed of various facets, each with its own unique needs and perspectives.

I became a therapist because I believe that change is always possible, and that humans have an inherent ability to heal and transform when they feel safe, heard, and connected. I understand that sometimes patterns of thinking, difficult emotions, or past circumstances feel like they pull us away from living life fully. In session, I will work with you to identify your strengths, increase self-compassion, create safety in your body, and expand your capacity to respond in the face of life’s difficult moments. I'm also a big believer in the power of humor, and encourage you to bring your full selves into our work together.

I work with individual adults and couples and am passionate about serving marginalized communities through a social justice advocacy lens. As a former “parachute kid” who started living abroad on my own as a teenager, I understand the complications of establishing one’s cultural identity while struggling to find meaning or belonging. I have experience working in different mental health settings with varying levels of needs, ranging from stress, trauma, ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy, identity development, racial and cultural issues, neurodivergent issues, to suicidal ideation and/or past attempts.

Do you struggle with your inner critic? Have you felt lonely or rejected? Maybe you've tried to avoid anxiety, depression, or traumatic memories, seeking a way out of a rollercoaster of emotions. Have you experienced difficulty with life transitions; career/school stress; relationship issues including polyamory and CNM; bigotry; grief; addiction; sex/drug linked behavior; sexual assault/abuse; self-harm, or suicidal thoughts? Are you somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum and feel like no one in your life understands you? If you answered yes to any of these issues, when was the last time you had a space to talk that was just for you?