Dual Diagnosis Therapists in Downers Grove, IL

My ideal client is anyone who experiences overwhelming emotions. I continue to work with clients living with mental illness and substance abuse, especially those who want to engage in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and those that are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I believe that we are all doing the best we can in any given moment, and I hope to help clients to become better equipped to improve the moment through learning new skills.

We specialize in working with Mental Health and Chemical Dependency and Addiction Related Issues in both adolescents & adults. Therapy may be delivered through Individual or Family Therapy. We address the following concerns: Anger Management, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Boundaries, Chemical Dependency (Alcohol Abuse and Substance Abuse), Codependency, Communication, Conflict-Resolution, Decision Making, Depression, Family Issues, Fear, Guilt, Life-Transitions, Parenting, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Relationship Issues, Relapse Prevention Planning, Self Esteem, Self-Injury, School Related Concerns, Stress Management and Trust.

Ask yourself these three questions... 1) Am I happy? 2) Am I doing what's best for me? 3) Am I in control of my life? I believe that everyone should have the potential to answer yes to those questions and lead a less stressful life. My approach as a counselor is to be encouraging, supportive and collaborate; and help individuals who are struggling with depression, anxiety, marital issues and job stress. I help people to create positive and lasting change in their lives and aid them in achieving their personal goals. Assessments can be conducted in as little as one office visit.

My clinical focus is to support you in exploring current concerns, developing insight and strategies to manage/problem-solve and to navigate whatever life throws at you. My training and experience encourage seeing ourselves in the context of our social environments: family, school, jobs, culture. Therapy as a collaborative process, building on the strengths you already have and moving to finding joy in the present moment. I utilize a client centered approach and develop an individualized plan, drawing on family systems, DBT/cognitive approaches, and insight orientated therapy. I enjoy working with adolescents, adults, and families.

If you can change your thoughts you can change your world. I believe that our day to day thoughts directly dictate our emotions and ultimately our decisions and actions. Whether it is childhood trauma, adult anxiety or postpartum depression, we can take captive every self-defeating thought and turn that negative narrative into a powerful and hopeful future. Regaining control over our thoughts and actions can provide such lasting peace and happiness. My focus is to thoroughly get to know my patients, by listening to and trying my best to understand their unique experiences, while working collaboratively toward agreed upon goals.

Are you felling lonely, anxious, or depressed? Have you been in a “funk” and can’t find a way out? Do you feel uncomfortable in your own skin? You're not alone! Often, we settle for known or understood pain because the alternative seems impossible or frightening. Successful therapy results in finding the solutions within ourselves for a better, happier life. The best way to achieve this relies on the quality of the relationship between the client and the therapist. I meet my client's where they're at and talk to them like people and not "patients."

Hey, how's it going lately? My name is Jackie and here's the thing... I am a nerdy, artsy-fartsy, book worm. There, I said it! Anyway, now that we have that out of the way, I primarily work with children, adolescents, young adults, and women that are not feeling like themselves. I also have experience with ABA and working with children that are on the Autism spectrum. I understand that it can be overwhelming trying to find someone you can trust with your stories and what you are going through - and parents, I know you just want to give your children the resources to succeed. Just know that you are not alone.

To me, therapy is a collaborative experience with the intent to promote real change and liberation. I place great value in the therapeutic relationship that is fostered through honesty, warmth, acceptance. Through the therapeutic relationship, I hope to establish a safe and non-judgmental environment that encourages vulnerability and change. Working together, we construct effective coping techniques, communication skills, healthy boundaries and behaviors, and improved life functioning.

Anxiety, depression, and other symptoms can cause you to feel alone in your journey. Life can be stressful, overwhelming and difficult at time and it takes a lot of courage and strength to take the initial steps to seek help. As a licensed social worker, I would like to welcome the opportunity to work with you in making the changes. I will provide insight,guidance, a safe environment where you can feel empowered to find clarity and self-awareness to make the needed and wanted changes.

Tamakisha is passionate about being of service to others. She makes it her business to meet her clients where they are and work as a team to accomplish their therapeutic goals.

More than likely if you are browsing these pages, you are going through a rough time. Please know that I am kind, observant, and a great listener. I am flexible and tailor each session to the individual needs of each client. I am solution focused and realistic. I take great pride in my ability to earn trust and make my clients feel comfortable, so that each session flows like a natural conversation. I am empathic and non-judgmental. I have a good sense of humor and am down to earth. I would be happy to answer any questions you have.

Ellie Mental Health is all about being authentic while providing a safe, compassionate and inviting space for our clients. We strive to provide exceptional ethical, compassionate care that meets people where they are, demonstrates empathy and recognizes whole person care.

I work with a multitude of clients to identify and express their emotions in a healthy manner, teaching them various coping skills. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and adults. I have worked with those suffering from anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma, grief and loss, addiction and those having a hard time finding themselves. I believe in the importance of building rapport using empathy and compassion to reach clients of all ages.

I provide a judgement free place to find your way & figure it out. Commitment to my clients begins with a belief in the ability of individuals to advocate for themselves & choose their own path. You decide how you want to live your life. Our instincts, emotions & feelings are a gift; they are the natural barometer for navigating our lives. Often we misinterpret or fear those emotions & fall into a holding pattern as to how to move forward. We all get stuck. Let me help you move forward. I have extensive experience working with children (ages 3-17), families and adults.

As the founder of DGCW, I have dedicated myself to helping people heal, grow and thrive for almost 15 years. Through work with individuals and couples, I have learned that an interactive, client-centered and collaborative treatment approach is most effective. I provide an empathic, non-judgmental and solutions-focused experience that promotes clarity and goal-setting, encourages introspection and creates strategies to rapidly identify and overcome life's challenges.

Counseling is a collaborative process in which you should feel supported in navigating life's roadblocks, stressors, and transitions. The counseling relationship is a unique experience that propels individual flourishing by providing a safe and nurturing environment in which you can develop and practice skills to cultivate resiliency and personal growth. I believe in strength-based counseling, in which individual strengths and resources are developed and utilized to facilitate well-being and client collaboration to promote and achieve personal goals. The framework I utilize favors a cognitive approach with behavioral, mindfulness, and psychodynamic interventions to address specific areas of distress.

Emotional growth is best nurtured from a compassionate, encouraging, and non-judgmental perspective. In today’s society, the expectations put on us can be quite demanding, and many times, unrealistic. As a wife and a mother, I understand how agonizing it can be to constantly ask myself, “Am I enough?” Challenging negative thoughts, though it may be difficult, is worth the risk. Living a fulfilling, happy, and productive life is priceless.

Valuing client uniqueness means utilizing advanced, empathic interventions for self-acceptance in working through anxiety, panic, depression, trauma and attaining emotional regulation. Rebalancing distorted beliefs assist clients' relief of anger, guilt, shame, self-sabotage. Differentiation & specifically designed working-through processes reflect maximizing unique client traits! Each client is identified as unique in their needs with subjective emotional experiences and cognitive structures requiring specific, individualized treatment plans and strategic interventions. These are tailored to facilitate optimum therapeutic progress.

With over a decade of clinical experience, I emphasize the importance of psychoeducation, coping strategies, and mindfulness. I also try to bring an inherent authenticity, trust, directness, and a little bit of humor to foster a secure and welcoming environment to each and every client. Therapy is a challenging, yet warm process that entails self-reflection and honest conversation.