Photo of Susan Killelea, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Susan Killelea
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Chicago, IL 60661  (Online Only)
You deserve pleasure, regardless of what you’ve experienced. I can help you develop confidence in communicating your desires, feelings, and boundaries. You’ll learn to not just survive but thrive after trauma. We’ll work on addressing anxiety and avoidance. Sex therapy can help if you want to work on something and your partner doesn’t. In sex therapy, all partners are welcome. You also can attend regular individual therapy if you want to work on sexual shame, trying to date, or exploring gender or sexuality. Together, we’ll explore your mental health challenges – I will join you in this experience as you navigate troubled waters.
You deserve pleasure, regardless of what you’ve experienced. I can help you develop confidence in communicating your desires, feelings, and boundaries. You’ll learn to not just survive but thrive after trauma. We’ll work on addressing anxiety and avoidance. Sex therapy can help if you want to work on something and your partner doesn’t. In sex therapy, all partners are welcome. You also can attend regular individual therapy if you want to work on sexual shame, trying to date, or exploring gender or sexuality. Together, we’ll explore your mental health challenges – I will join you in this experience as you navigate troubled waters.
(312) 945-7124 View (312) 945-7124
Photo of Matt Smith, LCPC
Matt Smith
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, LCPC
Verified Verified
12 Endorsed
Chicago, IL 60661
The crux of my approach is simple, but versatile: I use anything and everything available to make breakthroughs possible. We all do better with an expansive toolkit. EMDR for "stuckness" / trauma and Gottman methods for couples to repair & connect. (Well worth YouTubing either for a sense of them.) Once we understand each other and you are insight-equipped, we'll put insight into action. But in ways that feel authentic to your personal experience of things. Clients often report that my approachable, humorous, "very human" style makes therapy a much more effective experience even when exploring difficult content.
The crux of my approach is simple, but versatile: I use anything and everything available to make breakthroughs possible. We all do better with an expansive toolkit. EMDR for "stuckness" / trauma and Gottman methods for couples to repair & connect. (Well worth YouTubing either for a sense of them.) Once we understand each other and you are insight-equipped, we'll put insight into action. But in ways that feel authentic to your personal experience of things. Clients often report that my approachable, humorous, "very human" style makes therapy a much more effective experience even when exploring difficult content.
(312) 548-9309 View (312) 548-9309
Photo of Cary Klemmer, PhD, LCSW, Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Cary Klemmer
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, PhD, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Chicago, IL 60661
I believe that all people have the capability to live life in a way that brings them peace. Our ability to live peacefully however can be limited due to past experiences in our often fraught world. Because of such experiences we suffer, and suffering left unaddressed can lead to limiting beliefs and behaviors. These behaviors are adopted as a matter of necessity to survive, yet keep us from authenticity and happiness. The therapeutic relationship can heal and transform our lives through affirmation, validation and sustained attention on one's thoughts, feelings, story and behaviors.
I believe that all people have the capability to live life in a way that brings them peace. Our ability to live peacefully however can be limited due to past experiences in our often fraught world. Because of such experiences we suffer, and suffering left unaddressed can lead to limiting beliefs and behaviors. These behaviors are adopted as a matter of necessity to survive, yet keep us from authenticity and happiness. The therapeutic relationship can heal and transform our lives through affirmation, validation and sustained attention on one's thoughts, feelings, story and behaviors.
(312) 262-5298 View (312) 262-5298
Grief Therapists

How long does therapy take for grief?

There is no exact timeline for grief counseling. Some people may start to feel better after just a few sessions, while others may take months or longer to feel relief. Some specific approaches, including some types of CBT, may involve a set number of sessions, or therapy may be open-ended until the patient determines they are ready to wrap up. Just as there is no right or wrong way to grieve, there is no right or wrong way to seek therapy for grief.

When should you seek therapy for grief?

Many people mistakenly believe that their grief needs to be debilitating or all-encompassing to warrant therapy. This is not the case. While people who experience severe, prolonged grief—particularly those who are considering self-harm or engaging in unhealthy substance use—are especially likely to benefit from therapy, so too are people whose grief is less intense but still interfering with well-being or daily functioning. In practice, almost anyone struggling to process a loss could benefit from grief counseling.

Can grief be managed without therapy?

Oftentimes, yes. Grief is a near-universal part of being human, and many find that their grief, while profound, does not stop them from participating in day-to-day life and steadily eases over time without outside help. For others, however, the harsh pain of early grief persists for months or years or leaves them unable to function. This group is especially likely to benefit from seeing a therapist, who can guide them through their grief and help them reconnect with the world.

What happens if grief is left untreated?

Because grief does not in itself necessitate therapy, untreated grief will often resolve on its own. However, for some people—particularly those who would qualify for a diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder—untreated grief can be a source of seemingly endless pain or lead them to withdraw from the world. In such cases, treatment can be indispensable, as it can help an individual adapt to the loss and start living again.