Therapists in Highland Park, IL

Contentment and happiness can often feel elusive in the busy, complicated lives that we lead. Sometimes, understanding the reason for our unhappiness seems just as elusive. The way we feel about our true selves as well as the meaning we give certain events in our lives can effect how we cope with the challenges that come our way. Often, we find ourselves in situations that feel beyond our control to recover from. Deep down, you are resilient, and know life could feel better than it does.

Sometimes it is time to just stop. Stop believing that voice in your head that is so demanding, so critical, so unkind. Stop running, stop fighting, stop avoiding, stop numbing. Sometimes it is time to start. Start waking up, start feeling more alive, start coming home, start loving yourself and others more deeply than ever before. Becoming more present in this constantly beeping and flickering culture of ours is the major personal challenge of the 21st century. Feelings of joy and contentment take place now, not in the future or the past. Experiencing your feelings fully is the key to opening the door to a more satisfying life.

Does it seem like everyone else got the manual on life except for you? Perhaps you are contemplating a major life change like divorce or a career change. Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected you may feel like everything is falling apart. There is a solution. If you have willingness and an open-mind, I can help you see things differently so that you get "unstuck," feel hopeful and confident.

There are times in life when issues can feel too big to handle on your own. At these moments I believe it is a strength to reach out and ask for help. It has been a labor of love for me that for over 30 years I have been able to help people through these difficult times.

You are not alone! We all face challenging and painful times when we might feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure about how to cope, survive and move forward. You may be in such a place right now. Perhaps you are struggling with managing depression, anxiety, and relational problems; handling family and parenting difficulties, adjusting to painful grief and loss, or navigating complicated life shifts and transitions. Your willingness to search for therapeutic help is a courageous first step toward positive change. It is a testament to your resilience and your hope to live a happier, more authentic, meaningful and fulfilling life.

We all experience emotional and physical difficulties from time to time. Often we are able to deal with these life experiences ourselves. Sometimes, however, it is not possible for us to resolve these challenges alone. In these situations professional help is appropriate. Until fifty years ago anyone experiencing psychological and/or physical stress was treated individually. Family therapy grew out of a simple but profound idea: People in crisis can often be best understood and treated within their own famiies. As a certified family therapist, as well as a certified psychoanalyst, I have the education necessary to see both famiies and individuals.

I specialize in treating issues related to anxiety, depression, chemical dependency, relationship issues, trauma and stress management. I utilize both a holistic and cognitive behavioral approach to therapy that is goal oriented and focuses on clients' strengths and overall well being. I offer free, 20 minute consultations. I treat older teens, young adults and adults and work with individuals, couples and families. I Look forward to working with you on your healing journey!

We all face challenging moments in our lives—whether we are experiencing anxiety or sadness, difficulty coping with life events, conflictual relationships, or a desire for a greater self-esteem.  As a therapist, I can help you identify your unique gifts and needs, free you from maladaptive patterns, examine your past, and allow you to take charge of your life story. The power of therapy and our therapeutic relationship can get you moving. After all, sometimes we need an objective listener, someone to validate us, challenge us, and offer new perspectives. The same applies to kids and I often utilize play for assessing and treatment.

HI! My name is Jaime, and I am passionate about helping people! I work with singles, couples, and people going through breakups and divorces. I also do family therapy! I focus on teaching my clients how to unconditionally love themselves, how to be vulnerable, tap into their inner strength, and live more authentically to achieve their relationship goals. I not only help you heal and extinguish any negative relationship habits, but I also provide you with the tools needed to have a successful relationship.

Life is a journey that comes at us in waves or phases. These waves can knock us off our feet and, as a result, often feel insurmountable. I admire the bravery you show by coming to treatment and am honored to be part of your journey. By doing this, we will alleviate current symptoms and make connections between past and present. This will leave you with your eyes wide open to impending waves; thus, lessening their impact.

My counseling approach emphasizes how all individuals have the capabilities to live life authentically and with reduced stress. My goal is to help you utilize your strengths to achieve positive self-change and growth through the many transitions in life. I provide counseling for adults, couples, and older adults experiencing depression, low self esteem, anxiety, parental difficulties, relationship problems, substance abuse, anger, and stress related symptoms. I have training in teaching relaxation techniques and anger management skills including deep breathing and systematic desensitization.

I work with children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and families who struggle with issues of anxiety, depression, confidence, and interpersonal relationships. The number one aspect of successful treatment is a strong/trusting relationship. I connect with clients through sports metaphors, movies, real life scenarios, and getting to understand their interests. Everyone has a story so I believe it is important to include family during phases of treatment, to best understand the client's story. In addition, I believe the family is a necessary part of the therapy team, therefore family members are included in phases of treatment to ultimately help my client reach their goals.

What would it feel like to be kinder to yourself? To lessen the self-judgment. To be able to express sadness, disappointment and anger in a caring environment. To no longer feel so alone. I'd like to accompany you on this journey. To hear and validate you. To work together toward developing more empowering coping and communication strategies for you individually and within relationships. As you determine our course, I will partner with empathy and stability. So, if together we begin doing this work of your life, I'm confident you'll soon become happier, more peaceful and connected.

Imagine a life fulfilled — this is not just a possibility; it can be your reality. If you're feeling off-course, weighed down by worries, or missing the sense of joy in your days, I’m here to help you press reset. It’s time to halt the cycle of worry, emptiness, and depletion. Embracing joy and happiness doesn't have to be a monumental task. Sometimes, the hurdles of anxiety, guilt, and depression cloud our vision of who we truly aspire to be. It's time to clear the fog and foster fulfilling connections in all facets of your life.

If you are motivated to show up for YOURSELF in a new way I am here as your trusted ally on this sacred journey of life! As a Holistic Psychotherapist, it is my passion to accompany you as you invite your full self; body, mind and intuitive/wisdom center into the therapeutic process--creating opportunities for insights into thoughts, emotions and behaviors that support and empower you. I have extensive experience working with individuals seeking healing and peace from issues related to trauma and abuse, mood management, disordered eating, loss and grief, relationship challenges and personal/spiritual fulfillment.

I strongly believe that relationships are the key to positive outcomes in psychotherapy. Whether using cognitive behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, or play therapy, building a positive, trusting relationship with clients comes first. That relationship allows me to understand, align with, and guide my clients through achieving their therapeutic goals.

At Heart Light, we believe that personal growth is a natural psychological process that fundamentally belongs to you, not to us. Some mental health professionals seem to imagine themselves as mental and emotional surgeons, whose goal is to identify problems and then fix them for you. We envision ourselves as more akin to doctors that deliver babies. We are ready to intervene as and when needed, but our primary role is to facilitate a natural process that belongs, first and foremost, to you. Our goal is to guide and encourage your growth by helping you to empower yourself.

Starting therapy is a turning point and I'm ready to help you take the next step in your life. Your relationship with your therapist matters a lot, and I'm committed to helping you feel safe, understood and connected as we begin our work together. I'm a caring and engaged therapist working with individuals and couples. I have years of experience as a teacher, counselor and doula. I look forward to helping you find an increased sense of happiness and fulfillment as a result of the work that we do together.

I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist and specialize working with diverse adolescents, adults, and older adults (click website link to learn more). I work with patients who have suffered from a wide range of symptoms interfering in overall functioning, such as anxiety and mood disorders, personality disorders, adjustment and intense/excessive reactions, alcohol and drug addictions, sexually-based concerns, and emotional problems.