Therapists in Evanston, IL

For over 15 years I have worked with children, teens and adults managing difficulties with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. The diverse experience with each age has given me insight to share in the therapy room with you. I address each challenge with great care and energy to help move toward growth with you or your child to find understanding and greater ways of coping, being in relationships and thriving.

In my practice I strive to make people feel comfortable and safe in both body and mind. Life can be challenging, and sometimes during those challenging times we may forget what it’s like to feel like our true selves or to feel happy. Allow me to help you through this journey. Nobody should have to suffer alone. I have 18 years of clinical experience as a therapist. I work primarily with adults and teens. I utilize a combination of Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, as well as Mindfulness and Meditation in my practice.

My way of doing therapy involves insight-oriented exploration and problem solving, and an invitation to make deeper contact with core issues and inner healing potential via somatic experience and "parts work." I'm trained as an IFS therapist and can be an especially good fit for those with established mindfulness practices and an ability to tune into inner experience. While working with me you may find yourself looking at problems in a new way, with more curiosity and self compassion. Less judgement.

Starting therapy can be trying process, and often what's important is finding the right fit between a therapist and a client. Once therapy begins, it can be an incredible resource where an individual may regain a sense of balance and peace of mind, build more satisfying relationships, develop more effective communication, as well as find the sense of direction and meaning that allows one to thrive. I also work as a forensic expert in women’s reproductive mental health and consult with legal counsel on criminal cases that are relevant to an experience in the postpartum period, this includes murder, infanticide, neonatacide.

I work with adults, adolescents and couples who are experiencing relationship issues, life transitions, anxiety and mood disorders, career issues, or a general feeling of being lost or stuck in life. I believe therapy is a powerful tool that can reveal and illuminate the workings of your inner world to help you better navigate your outer world. If you are willing to be brave and do the work, therapy can inspire and empower you to create the positive changes you need in order to live a life that is more aligned with your values and feels more in tune with your authentic self.

Accepting New Clients! I believe you have the power within yourself to change. Together we will tap into your strength, courage, and insight to achieve your goals. I specialize in treating trauma through the use of EMDR, IFS, traditional talk, and other treatment modalities. I often work with busy professionals and college students-or anyone suffering from trauma, relationship issues, low self-esteem, depression, stress, and anxiety. I am non-judgmental and professional, although when appropriate, I've been known to crack a joke because sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.

We do the best we can with the histories and resources we have. Our experiences and relationships shape/influence us, sometimes leaving us hopeful and nourished and other times leaving us stuck, depleted, anxious, sad, confused/overwhelmed. With a safe space and support, we can draw on our inner resilience to confront, manage and transcend our challenges, freeing us to live more authentic and fulfilling lives. My work is trauma-informed. My process is collaborative and interactive. I approach each therapy encounter with an open mind, recognizing that you are the expert in your life and know what works and what you need from therapy.

In practice for over 40 years, I have a great deal of experience with adolescents, adults and couples. Area of specialization working with perpetrators of and family members impacted by domestic violence. Anxiety and life adjustments are also an area of specialty. Retired as high school social worker, I've worked with hundreds of adolescents and families. It is my belief that emotional energy is finite and that helping you in achieving balance can be so very helpful in finding solutions to emotional distress. Jazz trumpet is my avocation and I work to pass along the lessons I have learned relating to persistence and mindfulness.

With a background in pastoral counseling and youth mental health, Tommy has a gift for putting young people at ease. Through deep listening and connection, he allows clients to be who they are while working to become the person they believe they can be. Tommy works primarily with boys and young men, ages 10 to early 20s—a group that often resists going into therapy. He responds by building a trusting and authentic relationship, helping clients navigate their healing within a mutually respectful space. Tommy’s specialties include ADD/ADHD, compulsive technology use, anxiety, depression, academic pressures, sports performance,

My approach to psychotherapy is to create a safe space where you can explore and heal the difficult and painful issues that are showing up in your life. Together we will move beyond problem-solving into releasing the deeply held mistaken beliefs and core unresolved issues behind your symptoms. My body-centered and somatic approach allows me to work directly with your nervous system to address symptoms like anxiety, racing thoughts, and irrational fears as well as feeling stuck, depressed and unavailable or unresponsive to life and relationships.

My approach derives from psychodynamic, family systems, relational and cognitive schools of psychotherapy. I want to help my clients achieve greater clarity about their circumstances, choices, relationships, and ultimately, themselves. I am highly engaged and attuned, warm, enthusiastic and personable. I find that when clients feel seen, deeply understood, and accepted, their internal compasses become more finely tuned, enabling them to make life choices that better align with their values and personal nature. These changes become vehicles for developing new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others.

As a firm believer in the power of genuine human connection, the dynamic between my clients and I is of my highest priority. A professor and mentor once said, “The question should not be, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ But rather, ‘What has happened to you?’” This quote shapes every conversation I hold with my clients. I am dedicated to breaking down the stigma of traditional talk therapy, particularly for young folks, by empowering my clients to rewrite their own narrative and understand their neurological roots, to become the best version of themself, for themself, their relationships, and their future.

I believe a trusting and collaborative therapeutic relationship will help you increase self awareness, understanding and the acceptance needed to bring about positive change and growth. It is equally as important to focus on your strengths as it is to focus on the areas of your life you find to be challenging. Therapy provides an opportunity to learn more about yourself and better understand your life choices as well as assist you in better understanding your most important relationships, past and present.

I find that I wholeheartedly experience joy in providing support for those who experience anxiety, and all the different ways anxiety can show up, as well as those experiencing relationship concerns, be it with friends, partner/s, and or family members. My interest also lies in working with the LGBTQIA+ community, CODAS or those immersed in Deaf culture, individuals in non-monogamous/polyamorous relationships, sex workers, kink-practicing individuals, and those practicing or who are from eclectic spiritualities.

Life can be stressful. We are constantly bombarded with news, both good and bad: requests from family and friends, work deadlines, and living with the unknown. Taking time to talk through our worries, fears, and learn more about ourselves can be endlessly rewarding. How do we learn to have boundaries? How do we learn that self-compassion does not mean selfish? How do we learn to start recognizing patterns and making positive change in our lives? How do we build connection? Therapy can help us achieve these goals while processing our fears, traumas, and doubts, as well as cheering on our accomplishments, no matter their size.

During life's challenging moments, most of us benefit from the support of a non judgmental guide. People have told me they feel safe with me. Whether you are dealing with work/school stress, struggling with anxiety or depression, coping with parenting, experiencing loss, or are looking for support with a relationship, I can help you to better understand stuck areas in your life. I see individuals, couples, adolescents and families. I have an interactive, supportive, and open approach. When working with individuals, we will work together to gain greater self understanding and discover workable solutions.

Is the stress of work or school overwhelming you? Are your relationships difficult? Are you struggling with feelings of shame or vulnerability? Do you feel unsatisfied? Everyone experiences life differently. My training and experience as a counselor has led me to a deep understanding of how we live in our worlds: with our families, within our relationships, and even how we perceive ourselves. My approach to counseling is based on helping others find the solutions that lie within themselves. Evening and weekend appointments are available.

The people I work with sense a shift could be important. Their relationships seem to have a lot of ups and downs, they feel like they cannot control their emotions, and they sometimes experience unwanted mood swings. Specialized evidence-based treatment can generate a shift. They feel more centered in themselves, are less likely to be taken over by emotions, and can more quickly recover from intense feelings. Their relationships with themselves, and with others, improves. They gain a stronger sense of purpose, increased ability to communicate, more often avoid misunderstandings, and can resolve conflicts more quickly.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who has extensive experience working with adults, adolescents, and children dealing with a wide array of issues that impair their ability to function to their full potential. These issues include depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues including separation and divorce, grief/loss, parenting issues, behavior control, emotional stress due to life transitions, and self esteem issues. I provide both short and long term psychotherapy within the bounds of a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment.