Relationship Issues Therapists in Chicago, IL

Therapy is a healthy resource. Everyone needs an objective, non-judgmental person to talk with in a confidential and warm environment. Sometimes you feel something is not quite right, but you can't put your finger on it. Other times, you know exactly what it is. Either way, telling your story can help figure things out by identifying your patterns of thought, behavior and emotions. Are any of them getting in the way? Together we discover the obstacles to achieving a stronger sense of well-being. Most importantly, we figure out how you can remove obstacles to leading a happier, more authentic life.

I enjoy working primarily with individuals who have a history of interpersonal violence. I especially feel honored to journey with those navigating their relationships as they work through their trauma history. I recognize how one's racial, cultural, and faith background impact recovery and welcome integrating these components in therapy. I also take time to explore how childhood experiences shape the individual and current relationships. My hope is that, through our time together, you will gain greater insight into yourself, which will contribute to your flourishing and the flourishing of your relationships.

Are you ready to make a change? "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." Instead of ignoring problems, work with me to explore your challenges, set goals, and build on your strengths. Learn how to gain innovative ways of coping with life stressors. I incorporate approaches that will be most beneficial to the individual, couple, or family. I take a direct interactive collaborative approach. I believe our counseling relationship is important to your growth. The goal is to lead you to a more satisfied and balanced life.

I work both in-person and virtually with adults and adolescents who may be struggling with a variety of challenges. I specialize working in the following areas: depression, anxiety, relationship issues, life transitions, and low self-esteem. I also work with couples to help them implement effective communication to help strength their relationships. My goal is to work with others to increase their self-awareness and develop skills for tackling a wide range of challenges to help improve their lives.

Louise is dedicated to renewing lives and supporting the recovery of those struggling with chronic stress, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, low self-worth and trauma. Louise strives to enhance an individual's quality of life and relationship with self, understanding that when met with adequate support, we can all find healing and fulfillment in life. Louise utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach, including Insight Oriented Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Attachment-Based Theory, Experiential Therapy, Mindfulness, Somatic Experiencing, Psycho-Education and EMDR Therapy.

I believe that everyone is capable, whole, unique, and deserving of finding meaning in their own lives. Because of this, I tailor my practice to fit each individual's specific needs. I have particular experience working with adolescents and young adults in treating self-esteem issues and eating disorders, navigating grief and changes in life, and preparing for the future. I also enjoy working with couples that are focused on building or rebuilding the foundation of their relationship, reducing conflict, and increasing their strengths as a couple.

I am a licensed professional counselor dedicated to supporting individuals and families from diverse backgrounds as they navigate various challenges. I work from an integrative therapy approach, informed by existential therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. My experience as a psychotherapist includes treating issues such as social isolation, relationship conflict, grief, trauma, anxiety, and depression. I hope to create a safe space where you can confront and address the complexities of life. In about 8-10 sessions, clients often gain a greater sense of empowerment and self-efficacy.

Our human experience can innately be encountered by adversity. I believe our therapeutic relationship and your internal wisdom can turn those experiences into opportunities for growth and transformation. You deserve to reconnect with your essence and your infinite power to create the life you want and the one that already belongs to you through the power of healing.

I work collaboratively with adults and couples with anxiety, relationships challenges, and trauma. I also teach yoga and meditation and understand the role the body plays in holding trauma and how chronic stress can contribute to a disconnect between the mind/body. I am passionate about health and nutrition and believe that lifestyle has a strong impact on mood as do our thoughts and behaviors. I believe that it's universal to feel anxious, bad, stuck, and out of balance and to struggle through big and small life transitions. By being open to what's not working we can use awareness and make small shifts that have lasting impact.

In today’s world, many tasks and responsibilities can easily become overwhelming as life throws us unexpected obstacles. We can become anxious, depressed, hopeless, feeling like there is no rhyme or reason to what we are going through, to what we are thinking and feeling, or even to life itself. We might choose to escape from our problems, angst, a sense of void, our past, or our daily thoughts through indulging in external gratifications, by using drugs and alcohol, sex, relationships, or other means. We often get stuck in our thinking, consumed by negative self-talk and perceptions of ourselves.

Sculpting meaning from our lives can be challenging especially during difficult times. I am a licensed clinical Psychologist who provides evidence-based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and am a Linehan Board Certified clinician with an expertise in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I have an expertise treating a wide range of mental disorders with a specific focus on problems of emotional dysregulation including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and personality disorders.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I believe developing trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship is crucial to doing meaningful work together. For this reason, I strive to bring warmth and authenticity to my sessions with the goal of supporting clients in feeling truly seen and heard. In graduate school, I trained in feminist therapy which has informed my belief that clients are experts of their own experience and given me a deep understanding of how identity and oppression relate to one’s mental health. I am particularly interested in working with my clients around trauma, grief/loss, and relationships.

Our past can impact how we navigate the present. In my opinion, understanding our experiences can lead to healing and transformation. My priority is creating an open and safe space where you can freely explore those vulnerabilities. This is a space where you can vent, laugh, and make greater meaning out of your experiences. I use a strength-based approach to empower you to be your most authentic self. This approach can include times of humor and times when I challenge you. I believe the therapeutic relationship is integral to exploring uncomfortable emotions and relationship dynamics.

The start of therapy is often a painful or stressful time. I will work with you to improve your current life and increase your future resilience. I believe the foundation of this work is often the experience of being truly heard. There are stories behind the things we do and the feelings we have. We usually know parts of these stories, but therapy helps us to know more. As we come to know more, we gain more control, and it becomes easier to meet life’s challenges. Additionally, we become better at seeing people and situations for what they really are, which helps us to avoid ruts at work and in our relationships.

I have a warm, accepting, supportive and understanding style. I believe that it is possible for any of us to get "stuck" in a thought or behavior that does not always suit our best interest. Together we can discover what these are for you, (your relationship, your work life, etc.) and work on ways of approaching and viewing things differently.

My name is David Lewis, and I am a therapist. I am committed to providing you with a safe, healing, non-judgmental, therapeutic space where you can discover more about yourself. My goal is to provide you with therapy tools to reduce relationship anxiety, depression, and stress. I will help you cultivate healthy and functioning relationships and explore various ways to live an authentic life full of meaning and purpose. We can work together to heal and overcome your relationship challenges and life's hurdles, enabling you to attain acceptance and peace.

I am a caring, highly qualified, and spiritually conscious therapist. My goal is to help you live in a state of internal harmony that results from leading from the spiritual core of your Self. In practice for over 30 years, I began my clinical work in addiction in the early 1980's, graduated from Loyola University in 1991, completed an Advanced Psychodynamic Clinical Practice Certification at the University of Chicago and am trained in Internal Family Systems through the Center for Self-Leadership. I was also trained by the EMDR Institute to treat trauma and highly charged memories, experiences, and relationships.

I am currently accepting clients for in-person and telehealth! As a queer, Filipino-American, I have special interest and experience working with BIPOC, First-Generation Americans, and LGBTQIA+ living with trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship distress, or difficult life transitions. It takes great strength and vulnerability to ask for help and to let someone in on our journey when we’re not sure they’ll understand us. I value the importance of the relationship between therapist and client. Your experiences deserve to be honored with care, empathy, and understanding and YOU deserve to feel heard, safe, and accepted.

My approach to the therapeutic process is one that stresses creating a safe, trusting, respectful relationship with my clients. I recognize that different people respond to different interventions and I am comfortable with an eclectic approach to foster change. I am naturally someone who enjoys people and engaging them in examining what they value and want for their life. I am also action oriented. Life is a series of choices. Insight is vital but lasting change happens when we do something different that is effective in building our self-esteem and a new perspective on life's possibilities.