Therapists in Evanston, IL

My advanced training in Marriage and Family Therapy and Sex Therapy provide me with the skills and experience necessary to help you meet your treatment goals. I strive to create a safe, non judgmental, compassionate context for clients to explore their struggles and maximize their growth potential. I work with individuals and couples with a range of presenting concerns, including, but not limited to: relationship distress, sexual functioning and satisfaction, lack of emotional and sexual intimacy, low sexual desire and/or pleasure and hypersexual behaviors ("sex addiction").

I was drawn to the work of therapy because I believe in the healing power of the therapeutic relationship. I have experienced the safety offered by this type of relationship as both clinician and client, and believe that this safety creates new harmony and courage within an individual’s self and relationships. I believe that the client is the expert on their experience, and I approach each session with humble curiosity. I love my work and look forward to the honor of walking alongside you on your journey.

I work with couples and individuals coping with anxiety, relationship issues, parenthood challenges, life transitions and sexuality-related concerns. I have extensive clinical experience treating sexual pain/discomfort, loss of intimacy, changes in sexual desire/arousal, and performance anxiety. I am passionate about helping individuals and couples deepen their understanding of their own intimate needs as they strive to reconnect, cultivate love and ignite passion within their relationships. I aim to foster an environment where insight, curiosity, creativity and psychological safety are present throughout treatment.

My ideal in therapy is to be able to set a comfortable environment in which growth can be achieved. I truly believe that a person can overcome and achieve anything that they set their mind to. I like to set an environment in which working together with the client goals can be turned into reality. I do not believe that there is a problem that is too big or small that cannot be tackled with the help of a supportive and motivating environment. Originally I am from Lithuanian that leads me to having a special interest in immigration/assimilation concerns. I have experience working with children, adolescence, and adults.

Are you struggling to navigate having a higher or lower sexual desire than your partner? Maybe you would like to enjoy sex more than you do, but you aren’t sure where to start. If we aren’t in tune with our bodies or our pleasure, sex might feel like just another task on our never-ending to-do list. Perhaps the experience of sex become ridden with performance anxiety and you’re never quite sure if it’s going to be “successful”. You might feel shame about your own sexual behaviors, porn consumption, or masturbation habits. These are all common concerns that I help clients with.

I specialize in couples counseling, family counseling, counseling with men, and premarital counseling. I help clients make meaning of their struggles, articulate their desires, and collaborate to reach their goals. I normalize and interpret conflict in terms of differences, identity, connection, and power issues. Intimacy and anger, stress and time constraints, are often the focus of our work together. I tend to be fairly transparent and strengths-focused. I also specialize in the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy.

It is my goal to provide you with a safe, therapeutic space to unload and explore your needs, worries, and fears whatever they may be. The path to healing is unique for each of us. We will work collaboratively towards meeting your goals and needs, and in doing so, make your life more comfortable and satisfying. It is my hope that each person who meets with me feels accepted, as I respect each individual's culture, gender, race, religion, and sexual identity.

My clients tell me that I really listen to them, am a down-to-earth person, and am able to help them through very difficult times of their lives. I am an energetic and positive person, yet can calmly help clients find creative solutions to tough problems and areas where they feel stuck somewhere in their lives.

I firmly believe in our capacity to make the choices necessary in order to live our lives fully and authentically, meeting life on life's terms. It is an act of courage to seek help when life's terms seem different than our own. Together we create the space for you to strengthen existing skills and develop new ones to achieve purpose, meaning, and contentment in your life and relationships. I believe in collaboration, respect, and humor to promote insight and change. We will create a safe environment in which you can feel empowered to enact the changes you desire.

Therapy can be an opportunity to explore patterns in your life and relationships without judgment. As a therapist, I show up with warmth, humor and affirmation and work collaboratively with you toward self-reflection, self-compassion, and growth. My goal in individual and relationship therapy is to support you to learn more about yourself in the world— what’s shaped you, how you connect to others, and what stands in the way of where you’d like to be. I want you to feel safe to explore what brings you to therapy, and to feel held as you develop new insights and tools to navigate life’s challenges.

I believe that problems are best understood in the context of relationships - with loved ones, with intimate partners, and with oneself. Perhaps you are noticing room for improvement in one or in multiple relationships, or perhaps you have a strong desire for increased understanding of yourself and others. It takes a great deal of insight and strength to even begin this journey towards greater harmony. My hope as a clinician is to help foster within you a sense of renewed curiosity, compassion, and hope as you undertake this journey.

The quote “Be you, love you, all ways, always” by Alex Elle has always resonated with me. I have noticed when clients are able to be kinder and more accepting of their own journey, when they're able to look at and respond to themselves, they would to their best friend in the same situation. My approach to therapy is meeting the client where they are at and making a personalized plan to minimize feelings of overwhelmedness to help them accomplish their goals. My therapeutic style is approachable, collaborative, and creative. I incorporate art, music, movement, and other imaginative exercises in my practice, empowering my clients.

I believe you have everything you need within to resolve the issues and problems that disturb you and your relationships. I help people who have survived abuse, recent or early traumas, to diminish and remove blocks to living the life they want. I understand how anxiety, depression and recurring or intrusive thoughts or memories can leave you feeling undermined, depleted or confused, struggling to make meaning in your life.

My clinical work emphasizes the whole person by integrating the neurobiological, psychological, physical, social and spiritual aspects of life. My practice focuses on helping clients achieve a more centered, balanced life by giving them the tools needed to grow within life's challenges. I work with adults struggling with everyday life difficulties in relationships, depression, anxiety, unresolved issues from the past, trauma, loss and grief; couples who are working to improve their relationship skills in areas of communication, anger management, trust and intimacy; families challenged by the transitions, losses and letting goes unique to each family's life cycle.

In my practice, I prioritize creating an environment that feels safe, respectful, and warm for each person. My goals as a therapist are to establish an authentic connection, to be aware and supportive of individual and cultural differences, and to identify strengths that can serve as a foundation for healthy coping. To facilitate the growth you'd like to see, we'll discuss your aspirations and collaboratively set goals toward finding balance. A prospective client might recognize the need for support or change in their situation and be brave enough to take the next step in connecting.

Fenna provides a holistic approach to care, incorporating the physiological aspects of human anatomy into treatment for mental health disorders and concerns. She focuses on the intersection between physical and psychological health within individuals, families, and couples, such as the the intersection of chronic illnesses and eating disorders. By utilizing a strengths-based approach in conjunction with modified cognitive behavioral therapy and polyvagal theories, Fenna provides a full-spectrum level of care that focuses on healing from the inside out.

Difficult times in life are opportunities for growth and change. I specialize in exploring identity, relationships, and transitions, mindful of the interplay between our formative experiences and current ways of being in the world. Through the therapeutic process, we understand and address anxious and depressed feelings; recover from losses and addictions, and manage work and family related stresses. I facilitate my clients' innate movement toward healing and authenticity.

It is understandable and valid to feel overwhelmed, unfulfilled, and upset as we navigate our lives. We do not have unlimited amounts of time, resources, or energy, and it is natural that life will bring challenges and experiences that cannot be addressed alone. I believe it is a sign of strength and self-love to know when to seek support, and I am committed to giving space and support to concerns throughout all ages and areas of life. I also strive to continually learn and grow in order to best support and accommodate your preferences, goals, and needs.

In the chaos of day-to-day life we tend to forget how much our innate strengths can help us deal with and manage what ever turmoil we encounter. In therapy we will work together to help you recognize and develop your skills, strengths, and values to help you through some of your toughest situations. I am passionate about working with teens and adults in the LGBTQ+ community and empowering individuals to live according to their values.