Therapists in Deerfield, IL

I work with individuals from all walks of life: adults, couples, adolescents, children and families in addressing a variety of challenges such as depression, anxiety, trauma, identity issues, self-esteem, substance abuse, and life transitions (i.e. divorce, immigration, illness), family planning, family relationships, and parenting. I am also experienced in doing mental health and substance abuse evaluations for courts and administrative purposes. My approach to therapy takes on psychodynamic perspective based on the belief that person must attend to the whole self -mind, body, and environment- to achieve understanding and self-realization.

Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 15 years, working with families, in addition to, supporting children and adolescents with complex emotional, intellectual and behavioral needs, Allison has extensive experience working with a broad range of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, mood disorders, socialization issues and neurodevelopmental disorders. Over the years, Allison has provided individual, group and family therapy, working with a diverse client population. She has presented a wide range of mental health seminars for educational staff and parents and led process-oriented parenting groups.

Like many modern therapists, I use a combination of approaches to suit my client’s unique needs. My background is in psychodynamic psychotherapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). I believe that we’re each doing the best that we can with the tools that we currently possess and that each of us deserves compassion and support as we continue making our way through life. I will embark on this journey with you, offering a space free of judgment and some evidenced-based techniques to support your growth.

I work with adolescents, adults, and older children, helping them to clarify values, work past crises, and develop skills to navigate day to day challenges. My approach is primarily social constructivist, while still drawing from psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral theories. In my work I draw on my experience as a mother of three teenagers. I also work with parents to help them with strategies when struggling with their children and teens.

I am a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 34 years of clinical experience in various settings, including a mental health center, a college, a psychiatric hospital, a family service agency and private practice. I provided individual, couples and family therapy in these settings. I offer clients a supportive environment, enabling them to overcome a wide variety of challenges in their relationships and life situations. My therapeutic approach is tailored to the unique needs of each individual, blending psychodynamic, attachment and family systems treatment. I have extensive experience with clients of all ages and various backgrounds. Brief treatment is available. Medicare provider.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with strong clinical training and years of experience in private practice, high school and community mental health settings. I obtained a Master's in Counseling and Psychotherapy from the Institute for Clinical Social Work. In addition, I received certification as a Grief Support Specialist from the University of Wisconsin. My main objective is to support you in gaining a deeper understanding of your emotional challenges, while at the same time, empowering you to make healthy and desired changes.

Beginning therapy is a huge step for all clients, and I respect that it requires both trust and a leap of faith to ask for support. When I sit with people, I feel grateful for the opportunity to help them feel connected, understood, and heard. I work with my clients using active listening and interactive feedback to help them meet their goals and needs, and to understand their personal challenges. I guide adults, couples, and teens through the process with warmth and humor, but also with a seriousness that helps keep our work on track.

In my 11 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I have experience working with clients of all ages and enjoy helping others through struggles impacting their everyday lives. I provide both counseling and consultation to help alleviate the difficulties families experience by using psychodynamic, strengths-based, and cognitive behavioral approaches. I have extensive training in Child-Parent Psychotherapy, which enables me to use play therapy and narration with young children to help relieve child behaviors that negatively impact the family. This approach also helps parents cope with the stressful demands of parenthood.

Through research, education and clinical services, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is one of the nation's leading relationship-based behavioral health organizations committed to strengthening and healing the whole family system by bringing together the right partners to support children, adults, couples and families across the lifespan. As researchers, educators and therapists, we work with our clients and PARTNER TO SEE CHANGE. By weaving together 175 therapists and therapists-in-training, we create a high quality, collaborative system of behavioral health care. One that gets results.

I work with teens and adults of all ages to help them overcome self-defeating behaviors, sort through difficult thoughts and feelings, and make whatever behavior changes they would like in their lives. Many of my client struggle with issues such as relationship challenges, work stress, overcoming traumatic events, grief, and substance abuse.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I provide a nonjudgmental and safe therapeutic environment for my clients and I value client-therapist alliance above anything else. I have a direct yet empathetic therapy style, collaborating with my clients to help achieve their goals. I love working with couples who struggle with communication and connection, who want to learn how to reconnect or "fight better". I also love empowering partners to find their voice and express their needs in a relationship.

Thank you for visiting my page. I am a clinical psychologist, and founder of Northside Wellness. My approach to therapy is collaborative, and aimed at supporting clients in connecting with their unique strengths, instincts, and insights. Through the development of cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal skills, client’s achieve increased self-direction, and lasting, transformative results. Your treatment will be specifically tailored to you, and your personal goals, and objectives. Within a safe, nonjudgmental space, each individual, couple, or family will find hope, and build confidence to navigate challenges successfully.

If you (or a loved one) is struggling because life has become more challenging and it is getting harder to show up and be the person you want to be, I am here to help! Our focus will be on helping you to gain the confidence, clarity and strength to feel and be your best. My experience working in a variety of therapeutic settings allows me to support those just like you, who may be struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, social anxiety, family stressors, school/work issues, life changes, grief/loss and adjustment difficulties. Since you are here, you are probably overwhelmed and could use someone to talk to.

It is my honor and delight to assist people in using their own wisdom to balance their lives. Clients say I am easy to be with and talk to, and I do not judge. We explore the cognitive, physical, spiritual and emotional realms of life experience. And we find patterns, identify core values and can focus on specific challenges. My professional goal is to provide a comfortable, non-judgmental and protected place in which we can explore your life and your concerns freely.

Life is hard. None of us gets through unscathed. There are journeys to take, decisions to make, losses to endure. Sometimes confusion reigns. Sometimes we get stuck ... at work, within personal relationships, with our children. I am passionate about helping people understand themselves better, and figure out how to face their issues. I believe that problems have their roots in the past, and that uncovering the origins of your feelings will allow the healing to begin. Ultimately, it IS possible to feel stronger, improve your sense of Self, deepen relationships and rediscover your sense of well-being and optimism.

I view myself as both a guide and partner in the growth process which I believe involves exploration and reflection on current and historical issues that keep you feeling depressed, anxious, stagnant or unfulfilled in your life. Understanding current coping strategies and the ways in which they may have been useful in the past, but are no longer serving you well is my focus. While I believe reflection on early experience is important, I also remain grounded in the present and provide more direct interventions when needed. My style is warm, engaged, non-judgmental, empathic and active.

I enjoy working with people open to reflecting on their issues and sincere about wanting to grow and change. We all at times find that we want to be more objective in our relationships and in our reactions to the challenges that confront us. I find satisfaction in helping people foster their capacity to overcome frustration, sadness, anxiety and fear. Often painful experiences in life cause us to respond in subjective ways, which only adds to and reinforces our frustration and alienation. I hope to build a trusting relationship with you that will enable you to feel more free spirited.

I offer a relaxing, nonjudgmental environment where we can begin to develop rapport and build the therapeutic relationship. I am aware that clients have a choice of clinician and without rapport, clients may have a difficult time finding the comfort level needed for personal growth. I provide therapeutic services to adolescents, adults and families who are struggling with anxiety, depression, emotional and behavioral management, relationships, and other related social/emotional issues. In addition, I have extensive experience working with adolescents struggling with issues related to ADHD, Executive Functioning, learning disabilities and related school issues.

No matter what you do, you feel like you are never good enough. You are consumed with thoughts of food and shame about your body. You’ve tried everything to control your eating, but in the end feel like it is food that controls you. If this is you, know that you are not alone and can find healing. If you are struggling with disordered eating, chronic dieting, body image, or an eating disorder, I can work with you to find acceptance and finally feel at home within your body. We will work together to explore your beliefs about food, your body, and yourself to uncover what’s not working and keeping you from what matters most to you.