Dialectical Behavior (DBT) Therapists in Chicago, IL

Do you ever struggle with setting boundaries or prioritizing your needs in relationships? Do feelings of guilt or shame keep you from being vulnerable? Do you ever find yourself feeling anxious or depressed but can’t understand why? Trauma can sometimes have the ability to impact our thoughts, feelings, and relationships. As a trauma-focused therapist I have a thorough understanding of not only the impact trauma can have on a person’s life but also a person’s capacity to heal from trauma. I practice within a relational approach to therapy based on the mutuality, respect, and collaboration within the therapeutic relationship.

If you're struggling with painful thoughts and feelings or a challenging life event, it's important that you feel understood and supported. It is crucial to find a safe place to work on these issues where you will not be judged. I'm a licensed psychotherapist with 13 years of experience assisting people suffering from anxiety, depression, history of trauma, postpartum adjustment, chronic stress, dysfunctional environments, grief and loss. It can be important to explore historical life events, and my approach also consists of skill-building and learning coping skills for the present.

My name is Melissa Shanley and I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and I am here to help. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University where I studied to earn my Master of Science in Clinical Counseling. I have years of experience working in and supervising community mental health centers, college settings, hospital settings, and as an outpatient therapist to all ages and populations. My professional interests include working with people who have experienced complex trauma/PTSD, family systems issues, and supporting people with attachment, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Do you struggle with feeling like you don't matter or belong? Many people I work with feel as though there is something wrong with them - I'm not good enough, I'm inadequate, I'm unworthy. Feeling inadequate is a normal part of being human, but many of us learn to cope with these feelings by either doing everything we can to prove we are enough, or by desperately taking the edge off these feelings. These ways of coping can show up in behaviors like rumination and worry, substance misuse, impulsivity, restriction or bingeing, and more. All the while, we feel like we're missing out on the life we truly want to live.(Paul Holmes C-DBT)

I believe that healing and personal growth are deeply intertwined with the quality of our relationships, both with others and with ourselves. In my therapeutic practice, I prioritize creating a safe and nurturing environment for my clients, drawing upon principles of trauma-informed care, authenticity, and compassion. Through a collaborative approach, my goal is to empower clients to cultivate a deeper connection with themselves and their innate capacity for healing.

Dr. Chill’s area of focus includes working with adults, teens, and couples. For the past eight years she has accumulated experience working in residential and inpatient settings, community mental health, correctional settings, medical settings, and private practices. Dr. Chill is passionate about working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who identify as TGNC, and individuals in poly, ENM, and various relationship structures. Dr. Chill has experience in treating mood and anxiety disorders, relationship issues, gender identity and sexual orientation exploration, and stress.

As a trauma-informed therapist, I believe developing trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship is crucial to doing meaningful work together. For this reason, I strive to bring warmth and authenticity to my sessions with the goal of supporting clients in feeling truly seen and heard. In graduate school, I trained in feminist therapy which has informed my belief that clients are experts of their own experience and given me a deep understanding of how identity and oppression relate to one’s mental health. I am particularly interested in working with my clients around trauma, grief/loss, and relationships.

I am an LGBTQIA+ therapist specializing in trauma-informed therapy for adolescents and adults. I earned my MA in Community Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and have extensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), CBT, ACT, and Exposure Therapy. I am also trained in and utilize Written Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and DBT Prolonged Exposures as discreet trauma protocols for clients suffering from acute trauma symptoms. I prioritize teaching DBT skills, Polyvagal Theory, and Somatic experiences in my work with individuals & couples and family systems.

I approach therapy with a compassionate and trauma informed lens, viewing clients as more than what has happened to them. I seek to empower clients to recognize that through conscious awareness, acceptance, and compassion, everything they need is already within. I provide a non-shaming space and guide clients to reconnect with their inner selves, helping them understand their internal world, and access their own healing capabilities. I utilizes a systemic lens to therapy, which understands the important interplay between human behavior and past and current environmental influences and relationships with family, friends, and culture.

Life's most challenging moments can cause discomfort, uncertainty, distress, and stagnation. However, with support, these challenges can also lead to self-reflection, growth, and change. I work with adolescents and adults that are seeking support while they navigate difficult life transitions, heal from trauma, explore identity, or live with depression, anxiety, and family conflict among other challenges. It is my hope that we can work together to identify patterns in your life that no longer serve you, develop realistic and values-guided coping skills, and foster deeper connections with yourself and with those around you.

Many of the individuals and couples I work with experience anxiety, professional/work-related stress, interpersonal relationship issues, life transitions, depression, and unresolved trauma. Often, clients are looking to reflect on their personal and family history, build self-awareness, process everyday stressors, and/or develop coping skills. In my work with clients, I seek to establish a supportive, empathetic, and consistent relationship that will be the foundation for deep introspection and growth.

My goal as a therapist is to provide a safe environment where my clients feel accepted as they are, while also supported in moving towards the growth and change they are seeking. I work with young adults and adults seeking support with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting, life transitions, relationship difficulties, identity, and self-esteem concerns, among others. I have over ten years of clinical experience, working in public school, college counseling center, and outpatient practice settings.

When life feels unmanageable, you may worry that it won't get better. Working with a therapist can help you envision and build a more meaningful and engaged life. In a warm and non-judgmental manner, I collaborate with adults and adolescents to empower internal changes and navigate the challenges that are holding them back. My approach to therapy starts with developing a genuine and supportive relationship, merging nearly 20 years of experience and training with humor and warmth to develop a connection creating new exploration and possibilities.

Do you feel removed from the aspects of your life that bring you joy, satisfaction, and vitality? Are you living in line with your values? My art therapy practice is rooted in the modalities of DBT, CBT, and ACT. These approaches, combined with the therapeutic benefits of artmaking, offer individuals the opportunity to create a life that is meaningful, and value aligned. I am passionate about using the power of creativity and self-expression to help individuals navigate through difficult thoughts, emotions, trauma, and life challenges.

I was born and raised in Chicago, IL and completed my Master’s in Counseling Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Having worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings, I have aided children, teens, young adults, and their families through a plethora of life events. Through my work, I have grown to recognize the challenges that come when individuals or those close to them are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, and substance abuse. I believe that positive change can occur through a trusting therapeutic relationship and aim to provide exactly that to my clients.

Do you worry, overthink, or over-plan? Do you have high expectations or perfectionist tendencies, or struggle to relax? Do you avoid emotions simply because you're not sure what to do with them, or don't like feeling out of control? Maybe you struggle with persistent anxiety, depression, low self-worth, or unwanted thoughts and behaviors even with medication or other therapies. If you feel stuck, you just might have too much of a good thing - you may be over-controlled. Together we can work to calm your nervous system, increase self-compassion, develop flexible coping skills, and build a life that feels worth living and sharing!

My name is Meredith Patterson. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and started practicing in 2017. I received my master's degree in Community Counseling from National Louis University. I have experience in working with adolescents and adults utilizing Dialectic Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). The goal is to help clients overcome the barriers that keep them from living the life they want to live. I am passionate about helping clients see their full potential and move past the things that have kept them stuck.

Hi there! My name is Tyler, and I'm a licensed clinical social worker at Ashe Counseling and Coaching. If you're looking for a passionate, joyful, and easy-to-talk-to therapist, you've come to the right place. My clients often describe me as relatable, grounded, and flexible, and I'm committed to helping people heal and grow to reach their full potential.

I aim to create a space that feels warm, open, and welcoming to all who enter. By recognizing that you are the expert on your own life, I take a collaborative approach to make sure I am meeting you where you are at. While I believe that therapy should be individualized to the person, my approach is anchored in psychodynamic and relational roots and also incorporates cognitive behavioral and DBT skills as needed. I think that this combination works well to explore your past and present patterns as a way to identify how those experiences still impact you today.