Therapists in Evanston, IL

Hi! My name is Cillian Green (he-him). As a therapist, it is important to me to work with my clients to understand the present day through the lens of past experiences, including significant relationships and our families of origin. The stories we tell ourselves about the past can have such an impact on our present! My sessions characterized by humility, curiosity, and humor. My clients come from a variety of backgrounds and use their therapy time to work through challenges related to stress, anxiety, depression, identity, sexuality, and executive functioning.

I have professional experience working with individuals in early adolescence through adulthood and in a variety of settings, ranging from wilderness therapy, therapeutic day schools (middle and high schools), community mental health and private practice. Working with adolescents and young adults as they navigate a time of life with many new transitions, life events, and a period of discovery is what I am passionate about. I work to help clients separate their sense of themselves from negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, in addition to teaching them positive coping strategies to promote change.

Expression with Art Therapy: Children and teens will increase understanding of themselves and build self-confidence through art therapy projects that promote self-expression. When an art therapy project is emotionally connecting, clients become thoughtful and focused as they express their beliefs and feelings. The group allows for voices to be heard and welcomed as each is invited to share about aspects of their art therapy projects. This calm and creative environment allows for an openness to learning more about oneself and connecting with others.

In therapy, you will have a private place to examine what troubles you, and you won't have to do it alone. I can help you explore your difficulties, come to understand yourself more fully and make changes in your daily life and relationships if that is what is needed. Many of the people I see in therapy are struggling with depression, anxiety, communication problems, loneliness, grief, and life transitions. I have seen individual adults and teens, couples and families move from feeling blocked, frustrated, depleted to a place of some resolution - finding adaptive solutions or greater sense of peace.

Aimee, LPC MA works with a diverse population of students and their families using a creative and caring approach. She loves to work with adolescents and adults who are feeling stuck in an area of their life, be it personal, academic, professional, or related to family/relationships. Aimee’s counseling approach is strength based and solution focused, with a client-centered belief, she uses expressive arts, art therapy, brief – therapy and CBT.

For 20 years, I have been fortunate to work in various settings with adults who are struggling with problematic issues that affect their sense of self and their relationships. I am committed to first listening in order to understand and then aligning myself with my client so that together we can design a plan that will alleviate their pain and stress. I especially enjoy work with older adults who are dealing with relationship and transitional life changes as well as physical and emotional challenges. I regard therapy as an experience of mutual learning and discovery where my role is to facilitate my client's needs and desires.

I am an experienced clinician with over 15 years of experience working with clients across gender, ethnic, generational & religious differences. I am dedicated to establishing an authentic connection and creating a safe space for you to begin or continue your process of growth and healing. I tailor my approach to each client and their values and goals. In meeting you exactly where you are with empathy, we will work towards exploring what is at the core of your struggle and develop the insight and tools needed to help you improve your overall wellbeing.

I believe in the healing power of a strong therapeutic alliance. My practice is based on the conviction that with the right support, everyone can effect change in their lives.

I work with individuals in a collaborative way. This approach allows for an authentic experience for those who are interested in understanding how lifestyle concerns impact one's relationships. I'm interested in helping clients understand how their distinctive experiences affect mood and emotion. I expecially focus on the ways individuals are impacted by their cultural experience and how that impacts life circumstances.

As a young Latino therapist, I dive into my work fueled by an unwavering belief in people's power to choose change. My double Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Forensic Mental Health Leadership, backed by my experience working with the forensic population, equips me to navigate diverse journeys with empathy and insight. Growing up in a troubled environment I gained a unique outlook on life and came to believe that your circumstances don't have to define you.

Healing through our pain is the most profound and self-loving work we can do. Whether it's chronic stress, emotional pain, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, life transitions, grief/loss, or problematic substance use, there is a pathway to healing. Maybe you have experienced with trauma, childhood abuse, or are struggling to understand problematic patterns in yourself or your life.. Maybe you have wanted to address feeling “stuck” or dissatisfied. Therapy can help you navigate these challenges and be a space of healing, empowerment, and growth.

We do the best we can with the histories and resources we have. Our experiences and relationships shape/influence us, sometimes leaving us hopeful and nourished and other times leaving us stuck, depleted, anxious, sad, confused/overwhelmed. With a safe space and support, we can draw on our inner resilience to confront, manage and transcend our challenges, freeing us to live more authentic and fulfilling lives. My work is trauma-informed. My process is collaborative and interactive. I approach each therapy encounter with an open mind, recognizing that you are the expert in your life and know what works and what you need from therapy.

Self-exploration can be an intimidating task. I have the honor of accompanying my clients on such journeys, and collaborate with clients to develop a fuller understanding of themselves. I provide an honest, respectful and non-judgmental space for such reflection, in which we can sort through the elements of life that are difficult, whether that is a result of anxiety, depression, trauma, questions of gender or sexuality, grief, body issues, life transitions, illness or other difficulties. Through such work, I hope to foster authentic growth, change and lasting relief for my clients.

The people I work with sense a shift could be important. Their relationships seem to have a lot of ups and downs, they feel like they cannot control their emotions, and they sometimes experience unwanted mood swings. Specialized evidence-based treatment can generate a shift. They feel more centered in themselves, are less likely to be taken over by emotions, and can more quickly recover from intense feelings. Their relationships with themselves, and with others, improves. They gain a stronger sense of purpose, increased ability to communicate, more often avoid misunderstandings, and can resolve conflicts more quickly.

Therapy is about finding someone who "gets you", someone who can build trust and help you find your truth at an ever deeper level. I focus on attachment history, trauma, values and early experiences along with mindfulness practice, using the wisdom of the body to awaken to needs and emotions. Symptoms represent our wiring and our way of coping with the world. Getting past that takes a challenging, gentle, fully present partnership. I work with adults: high performers, creatives and grad students. Hearing each unique path -finding ways to stay alive and awake and engaged in this world on fire.

Ajit Samudra is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in IL with over 20 years of experience helping children, teens, young adults, and families. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at Case Western Reserve University and completed his Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Indiana State University. Ajit also completed postgraduate studies at The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Ajit has extensive experience working with children, youth, and families in community mental health and school settings. He has helped clients with a broad range of presenting problems, including school problems, ADHD, executive function, and emotion regulation difficulties. He has worked with clients exhibiting anxiety, depression, stress and anger management problems, adjustment to life transitions, self-esteem, and work/life balance in young adults. Ajit is a strong believer in collaborating with clients and families and using a systemic, multicultural lens to help clients cope with stressors and create positive change. He works with individuals, families and couples and enjoys working with clients from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

In the same way that lifes difficulties can hold us back, I think they can also teach us to grow. I see counseling as a cooperative space that serves to help you strive towards becoming the best version of yourself. Within session, I focus on creating a safe environment where you feel comfortable exploring your identity and working through inner struggles. At the core of the therapeutic process, I think deep connection matters and I strive to see each client as the unique individual they are. I value you for who you are and believe that your understanding of yourself is inextricably linked to your success.

I have a restorative and relational approach with the clients I serve. I embrace a strengths perspective which encourages self-sufficiency and acknowledges that individuals have the capability to engage in problem-solving work and improve their own functioning. I also recognize the important role of parents and other significant adults in youths' lives and strive to work together in addressing youth behavior and promoting appropriate parent leadership and family capabilities. I have a collaborative, trauma informed lens to treatment, and provide a warm, comforting environment to address difficult yet important issues in your life.

Do you feel unfulfilled, in a rut, sad, anxious or just frustrated and unfulfilled that your not living your life to your full potential? Do you feel dissatisfied with your relationships or with your job or career? Do you feel that there is more to life and that you wish you could get more focused and motivated and have more meaning and purpose in you life? I have helped people with these issues and I feel I can be of help to you as well.