Sandplay Therapists in 60647

“Focus attention on the feeling inside you. Know that it is the pain-body. Accept that it is there. Don't think about it - don't let the feeling turn into thinking. Don't judge or analyze. Don't make an identity for yourself out of it. Stay present, and continue to be the observer of what is happening inside you. Become aware not only of the emotional pain but also of "the one who observes," the silent watcher. This is the power of the Now, the power of your own conscious presence. Then see what happens.” ― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now. I am honored to join you in Present Space to "see what happens."

I love diversity and working with people from all walks of life! I am passionate about working with children, adolescents and families. I find it incredibly rewarding working with parents to communicate and build stronger relationships with their kids as well as work with adolescents to navigate their relationships with their families. I also enjoy working with adolescents and young adults who are experiencing eating disorders and disordered eating, relationships issues and breakups, and interpersonal conflicts with parents. Working with couples, I seek to improve communication, close bonds and all types of intimacy.

As a biracial human, I understand the juggling process between developing identity while also finding a sense of belonging within communities. Doing this on top of just simply learning how to be an adult and manage emotions can be a difficult juggling process! I prioritize the awareness of various factors like multiculturalism, oppression, trauma, and neurodiversity when working on deepening your understanding of yourself and reintegrating the connection between your mind, body, and spirit. Due to these factors, I bring my genuine personality to help build trust in the therapeutic relationship.

We have all experienced various levels of loss, harm or violation in our lives and this will have an effect on us. Are you experiencing disordered eating, unwanted sexual behavior, depression, anxiety, anger or turning to substances for relief? Often people feel a pain inside they are unable to understand or articulate. Perhaps you're frustrated and beginning to feel hopeless or helpless to change. Transformation and change is possible but it is a process, not an event. Research shows that finding the right "fit" in a therapist is one of the most important factors in having a transformative experience in therapy.

Do you have a child or teenager that is displaying difficult behaviors or moods at school or home? Have they experienced some adverse event/s such as abuse, trauma, or loss of a loved one? A loss of interest in things they once enjoyed? Are they lacking in relational supports or friendship with same-aged peers? I have worked in the Chicago school system for four years and specialize in working with children and adolescents who need support to work through symptoms that stem from previous hardships, improve communication and emotional regulation, and to promote optimal mental health.

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.