Family Therapy in Chicago, IL

The search for a therapist may be exciting, but also a bit intimidating. I can appreciate how you may be feeling. Don't let this stop you from making life changes. Working as a therapist in many different settings has made me realize that the key to effective therapy is your comfort. When you feel comfortable with your therapist, you gain the ability to make meaningful life changes. I will do my best to create a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment, one in which we will work together to achieve your goals.

In the therapeutic setting, my goal is to provide clients the space to be their most authentic selves. Too often in society, we are forced to wear a façade, or be a fraction of ourselves in any given space, for fear of being “too much” or fear of not being accepted fully. In our sessions, I encourage you to take up space unapologetically. I love being able to help my clients discover their real selves and give them the tools to overcome any obstacles in their journeys towards wellness. I show up to sessions as my authentic self, and I encourage my clients to do the same. The work begins where the masks end.

You spend years looking for someone who gets you, someone who completes you in so many ways. Sometimes you just can't find that person. Or you always mess it up. Or you do make a life with someone, and then you discover that you're arguing all the time, hurt, and lonely. Maybe relationships are not your issue: It's a career thing, an illness or a loss that you can't bounce back from. As human beings, we seem to need to give ourselves to things, to love and be loved. So why is it so hard?

My practice is multicultural, multilingual (Japanese, Spanish, and English), and multidisciplinary (as a former teacher). My approach is flexible and practical. I work with clients to identify major issues and develop treatment goals. Clients are empowered through access to reliable psycho-educational tools and materials to better prepare them to advocate for themselves and others. We then work together to (1) develop individual coping skills, and (2) cultivate social/environmental supports (e.g., linkage to support groups, strengthening of community or family ties). My goal is to enable clients to resolve issues/manage symptoms independently (without professional help) in future.

Let's talk about something we all know to be true – life is one big tangle of relationships. Whether you're dating, single, married, engaged, part of a cozy little family, or navigating the chaos of a massive one, relationships are everywhere. And, you know what? Contrary to those picture-perfect moments we see online, not all of these relationships are sunshine and rainbows 100% of the time, or even 50% of the time! But, here's the deal – you're not alone in feeling some type of way about your connections with others or with yourself.

For a long time, life has felt extremely difficult for you. Maybe you’re feeling frustrated because on the surface, everything looks good and your life “could be worse.” “It's fine. I'm fine. Everything is fine!” has become your inner dialogue. However, feelings of tension, exhaustion and burn-out are present. Friends and family are not noticing your pain as you have mastered hiding it, leading to confusing feelings of loneliness, resentment, guilt and shame. Perhaps deep down you know you want to live your life authentically, however, are unsure of where to begin.

Alicia is an EMDR trained licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) with certification in Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Alicia specializes in trauma-focused therapies, working with diverse age groups and family systems across the Chicagoland communities.

Feeling stuck? Being human is hard. Maybe you’re tired of falling into the same old relationship patterns, feeling weighed down by anxiety spirals, or going through some difficult transitions. Maybe you just want some space to feel heard and seen. Therapy can provide the opportunity to help break us out of patterns that aren’t serving us anymore and get us to a place where we can have more peace, balance, and relief.

As social beings, relationships are a central part of our lives, so it’s important to make sure those relationships are healthy and meeting our needs! How we communicate with others is a huge factor in relationship building. Whether you are seeking individual or couples therapy, we can, together, work on building effective communication skills. My direct and collaborative approach to therapy allows you to be an active participant in deciding how we can best tackle the problem at hand. As an LGBTQ+ affirming therapist, I will make sure you always feel safe and welcome in the therapeutic space.

I'm a licensed art therapist that is dedicated to nurturing culturally attuned care for the Asian and Asian-American communities. At the core of my practice is an unyielding belief in the transformative and healing power of art, a medium that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, inviting individuals from all walks of life to engage, express, and heal. I've embraced a diverse array of individuals, particularly championing the needs of people of color, immigrants, and minority groups, guiding them towards self-acceptance, gender affirmation, and a profound sense of self-worth.

Understanding one's uniqueness is key, along with the critical importance of being listened to and respected for who you are. My extensive clinical background has spanned across ages, gender, racial/ethnic groups, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and presenting concerns. I tailor my approach by using an array of techniques and interventions depending on what fits and helps you as you aim towards growth, reaching your potential, and resolving any problems. My style is best described as being open-minded, empathic, and non-judgemental.

Trust is how I define myself! Building a strong therapeutic alliance through trust and confidence is quintessential to positive change in life! When life gets tough through *Difficulties in relationships, *Sadness or depression, *Feelings of anxiety or panic, *Difficulties controlling your anger, *Struggling with parenting issues, *Acculturation/Ethnic minority struggles, *Grief over the loss of a loved one, *Dealing with substance abuse in yourself or someone you care about... One should consider beginning treatment with a professional trained with brief, solution-focused, cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach towards changes in core beliefs and restructuring the thought processes towards a better outlook.....and that's me!

My name is Dr. Brandy Pugh and I am a post doctoral fellow with several years of experience related to providing individual, family, and group therapy for children, youth, families, and adults. I service a diverse clientele including individuals with symptoms related to ADHD, anxiety, depression, specific learning disabilities, trauma, school related difficulties, noncompliance/listening difficulties, and parent training. Particularly, I enjoy working with Black children, adolescents, and families. I also enjoy helping transracial post-adoption families strengthen their familial dynamics.

Our past and present experiences help us to define ourselves and make sense of the world around us. As humans, we can’t help but seek meaning even in the face of events that often seem senseless. I believe that it is important to make room for all that life has to offer us, its joys and blessings, as well as its sorrow and misery. Often the latter can be difficult, stressful, and scary to explore. Our therapy will seek to create a space where you feel safe to explore, make space for, and create meaning around these difficult experiences.

Whether you're facing difficulties related to anxiety, depression, stress, or grief, I offer a warm, thoughtful space for exploration and growth. I enjoy collaborating with clients who seek to understand their experiences, identify unhelpful patterns, and find meaning and purpose in their lives. Together, we can work to untangle how past and present events have shaped you and discover new ways to care for yourself.

Accepting new individual and couples clients. I strive to offer a safe space for clients to understand, manage, and harness the power of their emotions, allowing for more fulfilling relationships with themself and others. I am a postdoctoral fellow with several years of experience treating clients from diverse backgrounds and across the lifespan. I have particular areas of specialty in trauma, eating concerns, identity work (particularly gender and sexuality), anxiety, and relational difficulties. I operate from an integrative lens that allows treatment to be tailored to fit each client's unique needs and background.

Life happens and it can be difficult to navigate obstacles on our own. The good news is that we don’t have to do it alone. Therapy can be that support we need and a safe space to share and explore new possibilities. I am a Bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I have experience working with children, adolescents and Adults. I enjoy empowering clients by assisting them in identifying and managing difficult emotions, negative thoughts/believes and unhealthy coping styles. I work collaboratively with my clients in developing a treatment plan based on their current needs and expectations for therapy.

Life has a way of presenting us with a multitude of challenges that can leave you feeling stuck. These struggles can manifest in various ways, making each day feel like a never-ending battle. Perhaps you find yourself constantly grappling with the weight of stress or are feeling weighed down by past traumas. Maybe you're wrestling with anxiety, those persistent worries that never seem to quiet down. Or you might be experiencing the looming cloud of depression, making it difficult to find joy in even the simplest of moments. The most important thing to remember is that you don't have to navigate these challenges alone.