Therapists in Illinois

Welcome! I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with approximately 15 years experience. My primary focus has been working with children, teens, adults and families. I seek to establish a relationship with a client through a respectful, caring approach and help them identify their strengths and needs to achieve their goals. I also enjoy working with young adults making the transition from adolescence to adulthood and have worked with clients who are struggling with life changes, grief and loss. I begin with a client centered approach but also utilize behavioral & cognitive therapy and mindfulness activities to help manage stress, anxiety and anger. I have also worked with numerous families who have children diagnosed with ADHD, behavioral problems, anger and anxiety.

I believe we are all capable of more than we think we are, and my job is to help you do those hard things! We will work together to identify what areas you would like to improve, and continually check in with each other on your progress. Every day you make the decision to improve how you feel. The fact that you’re here, reading this, is a win for you! I have been practicing psychotherapy for 13 years in various clinical settings. I have experience helping adults cope with depression, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, parenting issues, vocational issues, anger management, trauma, abuse, and grief. I practice cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which examines the relationship between your thoughts and the feelings that those thoughts cause. I also teach stress relief, which frankly we all need, in the form of relaxation techniques and mindfulness. I can help you reduce your worries and stress, adjust to change, reach your personal goals, and find short and long-term solutions to the problems you’re struggling with. I'm glad you're here with me on this journey!

I am an African American female located in the Chicago land area. I have been a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois for over 25 years. I also have many years of experience teaching counseling and psychology as an adjunct professor at eight different colleges and universities. As a therapist who is also a Christian, I assist people in the areas of faith and spiritual matters, if requested. I am the author of the book "Tending to Broken Hearts: Reflections from Three Decades in the Counselor's Chair" available on Amazon. I do not operate according to the medical model and don't work with issues pertaining to psychotropic medications or imbalanced brain chemistry. I operate from the perspective that we all have choices, and need to make healthy ones in order to live mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy lives.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Illinois. I have worked with clients with various concerns including anxiety, depression, emotional and physical trauma, family conflict, and attention disorders such as ADHD. I have significant experience in adoption and foster care related issues as well. I have worked in group therapy, individual psychotherapy as well as working in community services. I am a strengths focused counselor which means I focus on what you naturally do well at and help you build on those strengths to reach your goals. Your goals are important to the healing process and together we will create a plan to help you identify what is most important to you. I meet each of my clients where they are at and provide a safe space to explore what you need for better mental and emotional health. This is YOUR journey and you have strengths inside of YOU that will propel you forward to find peace of mind, true happiness and contentment inside of you. I commonly use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy however there are other modalities that I am familiar with and will implement them when it best fits the client. Life can be tough but I believe there is always hope for a better future. I am excited to go on this journey with you and watch you excel in your mental and emotional health!

I am a self-advocate and activist with over ten years personal and professional experience working with adults and children in the Disability Community. I am trained in Social Work and Disability Studies and have an interdiciplinary practice orientation. I call New Orleans home again after a three years in Chicago, and am dedicated to involvement in local and global Disability communities. As a Coach and Counselor in Queer and Disability communities I understands the specific structural barriers people with diverse identities face. I bring a Neurodiversity and Disability pride perspective to coaching and counseling by sharing knowledge of history, theory, and social models. I believe employment or occupation seeking is a great place to begin exploring any change you want to make in your life. Employment counseling can bring up issues related to anxiety, depression, Autism, ADHD, chronic pain, and other Neurodiversities and Disabilities. I am Queer, Trans, and Non-Binary allied.

Embarking on this journey together, we'll delve deep into understanding your essence. Through thoughtful questioning, we'll unravel the intricacies of your systems and behavioral patterns. Exploring your family roots will be a recurring theme, shedding light on your upbringing's influence. From discussing your sleeping habits to dissecting matters of the heart, no topic is off-limits, including the inevitable conversation about mortality. Our collaboration will peel back layers of your human experience, granting you the invaluable opportunity for introspection. Research underscores that the bond between therapist and client is paramount for therapeutic success. It transcends methodologies, emphasizing the therapist's ability to connect with you on a profound level. I aspire to be more than just your guide; I aim to be your confidant, your reflection, and your advocate. While I can provide direct feedback, my approach is imbued with warmth and empathy. I don't shy away from addressing trauma head-on; every individual, regardless of past experiences, deserves healing and growth. George stands out as one of the few mental health professionals in the entire country who also hold an MBA. This unique blend of knowledge provides a deep insight into both the psychological and business aspects of individual issues. He strives to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. His unique perspective, dedication to fostering personal growth, and healing have made him an invaluable asset to our practice and the clients we serve.

Thank you for sharing information about yourself here. I'm glad that you reached out for help. My name is Larry Westenberg, and I am a licensed therapist with over 40 years of experience in counseling. You can read more about my background, education, experience, and therapy approach by clicking on my name on this page. I have been a professional counselor for over 40 years. I started out on a 'back ward' of a state mental hospital, counseling extremely mentally ill people and helping them to access their resources, use their strengths and improve the quality of their lives. It was a tremendous challenge. At that time, I had my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and no other training. The State system allowed people to do counseling who had no training in counseling whatsoever. In fact, many of them had never been to college. I discovered the 'uneducated counselors' were usually MUCH more effective at helping their clients. They were not 'full of themselves' and their degrees. Instead, they used what they knew about helping people, did what they could, and learned to help people by figuring out what worked as they went along. They also expected the same from the people they were counseling - that they would use the resources they had, do their best, and get better at improving their lives. Meanwhile, the majority of the 'professional therapists' were lost in their long explanations and mythologies that tried to explain the patient's behavior, and they often developed bizarre theories and treatment methods they imagined would make the patients get better. When you make a connection to another person in counseling, you offer them a safe space to "step out of themselves," and discuss their own behavior from a different perspective of detached observation. Recognizing their own skills and the tools they have can help them make meaningful changes strategically, that utilize their own abilities. I specialize in trauma, anxiety and panic, ADD, relationships and finding meaning in life. I have extensive training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) - which is bashed as unscientific non-sense on the internet. This criticism is thrown from the allegedly "Scientific field" of psychology which is founded on the idea of repressed urges of the id and wanting to kill your father to take possession of your mother. Not the best scientific theory for validating your experiences of life. I am a published author in the field of Belief Change, Ericksonian Hypnosis and NLP. I enjoy helping others uncover treasure within themselves. I don't work with lab rats. I work with people. I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you. I have worked in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization and crisis intervention treatment. I have worked with LGBTQ+ individuals since long before we had an acronym. I have supported individuals in compartmentalizing alternative lifestyles so that they don't embarrass themselves at work or in social situations. I help some people accept the fact their family may be a toxic gaggle of illnesses and it really is okay to not be in contact. I help others discover how they create anxiety in themselves and teach a variety of skills for managing emotional states. My passion is helping people find insights into HOW they do the behaviors they do, so they can more easily shift the behaviors to get the same results - or different results. I also like helping people discover how past traumas and negative events can "echo" into present interactions and circumstances. Rather than label this a disease, I show people how to notice these connections and respond less to the resonance in the present. I laugh frequently and I may even tease about symptoms as an attempt to help you shift your perspective on your issues. I do not make fun of problems. I take my work seriously, but I will never take LIFE seriously - because it has this surprise-ending feature. I would be delighted to meet with you and find out if I can support you in making the shifts and changes that will help you build the life you desire.

I am a clinical psychologist with 38 years of experience. I have worked with couples, families, individuals, groups, forensic clients including those in the criminal system as well as clients who are involved in the family court system. My core approach is to quickly appraise the psycho-social, biological, and spiritual components of my client's lives, seeking to target and move towards solutions seeking to ameliorate the suffering that their symptoms reflect. I am a non-judgemental therapist, who seeks to build an alliance with my clients to create a sense of safety and respect. I look at symptoms, such as anxiety or depression, as multi-modal, including early childhood attachment problems as well as cognitive dysfunctions and biological influences. I seek to view people wholistically, not as people who have problems, but instead as courageous individuals who have done the best they could as a result of what has happened to them. Most clients that I have worked with consider me as easy to talk to while also conceptualizing their issues well and intervening effectively. I would love to work with you in a collaborative effort to solve and lessen the pain that you may be struggling with.

I am licensed in Illinois with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Illinois with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & relationship issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

.

I am licensed in Illinois with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & coping with grief and loss. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Illinois with 10+ years of professional work experience, primarily in a hospital setting, working with patients and their family members/caregivers. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, coping with grief and loss, & coping with life changes. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. I am here to support & empower you in your journey.

I am licensed in Illinois with 14 years of professional work experience, including case management, clinical therapy, and school social work. I work with couples, families, individuals, and groups. I have experience in working with clients with Autism, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Addiction, Trauma, Grief and Loss, TBI, Anger Management, Body Dysmorphia, Motivation, and Self Esteem issues. I've worked with youth in Chicago Public Schools and Suburbs, helping kids adapt to pressure, distractions, and a fast paced environment. I have significant experience helping people recover from being in toxic groups like cults and gangs. I have significant experience working with the Hispanic and Black populations. I've worked with and advocated for LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups and consider myself a strong ally. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.