Psychodynamic Therapists in Chicago, IL

My approach to therapy is interactive, collaborative, and reflective. Individuals often seek counseling when they have reached an impasse in life. Problems of depression, anxiety, or negative behaviors frequently reflect a loss of purpose or meaning. Stress and insecurity may affect how one handles day-to-day interpersonal and work situations. I work with individuals to explore their current life issues in the context of their past experiences and help them to develop new ways of being or interacting in relationships.

My approach to therapy is client-centered, collaborative, integrative, and eclectic. I individually tailor strategies and techniques to help address concerns ranging from depression and anxiety to life transitions and interpersonal relationships. My unique training and experience have positioned me to support individuals who are grappling with life’s big questions, addressing fear, navigating loss, and feeling conflicted or hopeless. I am also adept at working with clients from historically marginalized backgrounds (e.g., LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC persons), as well as those seeking to heal from cultural or religious traumas.

Do you wonder if therapy will actually make a difference with your anxiety? Have you been in therapy before but it didn't create lasting change? The word "therapy" can cause a lot of different thoughts for people. I believe therapy is a place to understand the different patterns our minds have created to avoid pain. They often work well, but only in the short term. These patterns have usually been created from an earlier time in our life. However, they are now causing us more problems than solutions as adults. Understanding these parts of ourselves can create change that lasts long term and reduce the hamster wheel of anxiety.

There are many stresses in life that catch us by surprise. Whether they are lingering self issues, spiritual frustrations, unresolved marital issues or you just need a check up, I want to help you improve the quality of your emotional health as best as possible. You don't have to feel frustrated by these issues. I have almost 30 years of helping individuals and couples work through, understand and gain insight for navigating life's challenges.

Building meaningful connections with all my clients is my foremost goal. I am currently accepting clients at Dr. Jessica L. Hudson, Ph.D., LLC (jlhudsonpsych.com), located in Chicago's Andersonville area. I work with a variety of clientele struggling with anxiety, depression, OCD, and PTSD. As a psychodynamic therapist, I am extremely interested in your lived experience to inform how best to help you. From there we will work together to develop cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness strategies to implement in your daily life.

I believe we are deeply influenced by our early experiences, as well as our past and present relationships. Yet no matter what we have been through, all of us possess the power to forge a new path in life. We must explore our past in order to move forward.

I love working with college students, adults and couples on a wide variety of issues, but in particular I specialize in ADHD, dating and relationship concerns, family trauma, ethical non-monogomy, polycules and life transitions. My hope for you is straightforward: to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, where you'll gain the tools, insights, and courage to embrace your potential and live a life that's authentically yours.

Through deep awareness, compassion, and commitment to those with whom I work, my approach to therapy is creative, collaborative, and integrative, allowing a client-centered style with therapeutic interventions uniquely crafted to suit each client. Through a warm and open presence, I create a safe and caring environment helping clients feel comfortable, connected, and understood. This fosters a true relationship between the client and the self, a key empowering component in helping clients connect more deeply with themselves and others.

Are you feeling stuck and struggling to make a healthier change in your life? Is your anxiety crippling you or do you feel down and can’t shake it off? Many people deal with anxiety, depression in silence, especially the ones adjusting to a new identity such as parenthood. Others’ anxiety comes from challenges at work, relationships and other life stressors. I work with clients who struggle in silence and constantly ruminate on changing yet they might not have the tools nor the energy to get out of feeling stuck.

I believe therapy is a collaboration between client and therapist, working together to understand and shift patterns that may not be working for you anymore. I understand the strength it takes to face challenges and the sense of vulnerability that goes along with it. I believe the relationship that develops between client and therapist fosters a comfortable space where honest dialogue can happen. My approach is straightforward, encouraging and comes with a bit of humor as a way to remind ourselves that life is supposed to be enjoyed.

I specialize in treating men who were sexually abused as children, the treatment of sexual addictions, couples therapy, relationship issues, depression and anxiety. If you are unhappy in your relationships or career, suffering from depression or anxiety, going through a crisis, or wanting to make changes in your life, psychotherapy can help you. Please visit my website at wwwjohnpharris.com.

Dr. Benton strives to engage clients in a collaborative therapeutic relationship that is empathic and attuned to their thoughts and feelings. She works to see the world through their lens. In this safe and accepting environment, clients are supported as they begin to explore the reasons that brought them to therapy. Dr. Benton guides clients as they gain insight and awareness to life patterns and themes. She encourages clients to give voice to their thoughts, feelings and reactions in hopes of interrupting painful cycles and creating a greater feeling of freedom, choice, flexibility, and empowerment.

Therapy is a way of approaching those life challenges that sometimes appear overwhelming or confusing. By putting words to those feelings, you can begin to unravel patterns of behavior, relationship dynamics and decision making processes, thus allowing for meaningful change. Therapy takes place in a supportive, non-judgmental space where you are able to reflect on your concerns by exploring the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. Treatment is based on your singular circumstances, utiliziing a psychodynamic, trauma informed approach.

Searching for a therapist can be overwhelming, even more so when you are going through life challenges and have limited energy to spare. Therapy can provide a space for healing, clarity, and growth, and the relationship between therapist and client has been found to be the most important ingredient in that process. I approach my work with flexibility, compassion, and a deep respect for self-determination. I firmly believe you are the expert in your experience.

In my work, I focus on equipping children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families with the insight, knowledge, tools, and skills to live healthy and balanced lives. Often, my clients already have the personal strengths and relationship skills that they will need to live a healthier life, and my work involves simply helping them uncover and utilize these strengths. I aim to empower clients to advocate for themselves within the contexts in which they live. I strive to provide therapy that is culturally and contextually informed and that integrates psychological research and theory to provide the best and most appropriate care.

My goal as a therapist is to create a safe, non-judgmental, affirming space for all clients. I value the unique lived experiences and identities each of my clients bring to the therapy space and I want them to feel both seen and heard when they come to therapy. I have a passion to work with vulnerable and marginalized populations and absolutely love working with children.

Thank you for choosing me, Mercedes P Cisneros Watson -Watson MA., LCPC and Path for your Counseling needs. I “Mercedes” a Native of Chicago, am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), in the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulations since 1998. My Clinical counseling experience spans over 30 years. My areas of clinical interest include addressing adult Women’s and Men’s life issues such as Intergenerational Trauma Survivors, Grief/ Loss, Divorce, Abusive relationships and, General Mood Disorders ie, Depression, General Anxiety Disorders. Gender Dysphoria, and Various personality disorders.

Are you going through a significant life transition? Whether it's a breakup, graduating from college, starting a new job, or adjusting to a new city, I can help. As a member of the BIPOC community, I understand the unique challenges and cultural expectations that you may be facing. I strongly believe that everyone has a story shaped by their experiences, and I am here to support you in creating the life and happiness you desire. We will work together to set goals and develop coping skills that will empower you to feel better and thrive. Let's increase your self-awareness and build the tools you need to navigate like with confidence.

I became a therapist due to my deep appreciation, interest and respect for diverse human experiences while simultaneously recognizing the connective threads that bind us all. I work with adults and adolescents age 16 and above, and particularly enjoy existential and psychodynamic focused exploration of personal themes and patterns in clients' current and past lived experiences and relationships. I am also a strong advocate for social justice and allyship, and believe that therapy should provide clients empowerment and recognition of their needs on both systemic and individual levels.