Attachment-based Therapists in Berwyn, IL

You make sense. Your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, sensations- they all make sense. Therapy is a great place to figure out how, and find ways you can change some of those things, or accept them and live with greater ease. In sessions with me, we will work to deepen your understanding of yourself, add skills for better tolerance of emotions and connection with others, and clarify your vision for what you want out of life. In my work with both individuals and couples, I enjoy bringing skills for better emotional awareness, communication, and values based action.

At times, life's obstacles can seem insurmountable. Frequently, we find ourselves trapped in repetitive patterns without comprehending their origins or how to escape them. By working together with you, we can begin to identify these patterns and explore their underlying causes. Developing a deeper understanding of ourselves can empower us to heal and evolve in ways we never imagined.

Life can be full of responsibilities and stressors that can become overwhelming and difficult to handle, affecting our emotional well-being, sense of self-worth, and many times our relationships. If you’re feeling depressed and/or anxious and alone; if you're struggling with expectations, sacrificing your own needs to please others, feeling lonely or experiencing issues with your partner, and/or significant others or would just like a safe place to share your feelings, therapy can be a good option.

Our experienced therapists will help you overcome the obstacles and difficulties that keep you from whole health and wellness. Therapy is an opportunity to change your life and heal on the deepest level. We offer therapy both in person and online via a secure telehealth platform. We have both male and female therapists and Spanish Speaking therapists. Founded in 2016, the mission of Mindful Wellness is to help people feel better and lead more fulfilling lives. Our skilled team of therapists are trained in techniques proven to relieve discomfort and actualize long lasting change.

Therapy is an intimidating process. It requires you to face the struggles keeping you from reaching your full potential. Life is full of transitions. At each, we learn to adapt and adjust. However, these transitions can be difficult and can lead to debilitating symptoms like anxiety, depression, and anger, etc. Perhaps these are not happening to you, but you notice them in your child and are unsure of how to help. So, even though therapy can be intimidating, it can be the risk you need to take, to move forward towards the positive outcome you desire. If you are ready to take the next step, let me partner with you in this process.

My ideal client is looking for a strength-based approach to treatment - not just a focus on "problems." I believe that you already possess many skills and abilities that simply need to be unlocked to overcome your difficulties. I am passionate about helping others and consider myself to be a champion for social justice and working with clients who might come from marginalized communities or face discrimination or harassment. My ideal client is looking for a partner to help them in the change process - someone who will point out blind spots and provide practical steps to deal with their problems.

Over the years of working with people in intense times of pain, conflict, loss, and hopelessness, I have been shown that people possess the ability to heal when given the opportunity in a safe environment. Working with adults in a variety of capacities, I have the perspective that through empowering relationships, people are better able to access growth, understanding, and positive change. Through compassion, reflection and understanding patterns of behavior, I facilitate a collaborative process of identifying goals, working toward self-understanding, and ultimately actualizing changes that people desire.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in several diverse settings, which has given me a unique therapeutic approach. I am passionate about working with individuals who have felt unseen and misunderstood. My intention is to create a space where you feel safe and empowered to stand with the feelings that continue to cause you pain, fear, or discomfort.

Individuals and relationships are dynamic; you may have received messages from people in the world that have you questioning parts of yourself. Integrating authentic, complex parts of yourself can help you feel more full and move you towards meaning and vitality. I provide a warm grounded environment to help you explore your unique experiences and identities with self-compassion and curiosity, even if what you are feeling is overwhelming or hard to talk about.

Welcome! My name is Yvette Medina and I am a bicultural Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois with a sense of humor and a love for helping people. I have 18 years experience working in the mental health field. I am so happy that you are taking the first step in taking care of yourself. I applaud you as you enter this journey. I understand that it is not always easy meeting with a stranger and sharing your fears and vulnerabilities, however, after a few minutes of introductions and exchanged pleasantries we will no longer be strangers. Allow me to help you onto your journey as you discover your inner self.

In our therapy sessions, you'll be provided with a safe space where you can face your fears, shed tears, celebrate your achievements, and heal your heart. I invite you to take off “the mask” you wear for the world and get to know the narrative you've become familiar with so we can better understand the obstacles constraining you. The journey to a healthy mental state and peace of mind is possible when we allow ourselves to gradually work towards becoming the best version of ourselves.

Even our closest and most valuable relationships are, at times, fraught with tension and confusion. I've spent my career helping people navigate their way through those times. With more than a decade of experience, I can help untangle and strengthen all types of relationships, including friendships, family marriages, and partnerships, both personal and professional.

I specialize in working with adults and couples, focusing on key areas such as attachment theory/style, conflict, life transitions, aging, chronic illnesses, infertility issues, and supporting parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Engaging in this meaningful work with my clients is a daily privilege for me. I create a secure, empathetic, and non-judgmental space, encouraging individuals to explore beneath the surface.

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.

Life's moments are filled with joy, disappointment, triumph and challenges. Many of these experiences leave us feeling exhilarated, overwhelmed and in search of a new path in a different direction. I believe that the therapeutic environment is a safe space where mutual trust, honesty and insightful dialogue allow you to nurture, heal and replenish yourself. The therapeutic relationship is essential to my clinical approach; a collaborative effort to support and challenge as we establish and progress toward identified goals.

Are you worried, sad, or stressed? Are you concerned about your child or your family? Are you wondering if counseling might help you or your family? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then let's explore further to see how I can best serve you and your family. I help young people, emerging adults, and parents learn and use creative problem solving skills to better cope with anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, trauma histories and attachment and relationship challenges.

I help my clients lead less burdensome, more joyful, and more emotionally connected lives. Together we can: find new tools to deal with challenging situations; uncover the reasons you are feeling down and rekindle excitement in your life; break patterns of fear and develop coping mechanisms to make success possible; work through feelings of low self-esteem and build confidence; move past the obstacles that prevent you from fostering deeper connections with others; identify the causes of obsessive thinking and help transcend the problem; and break free of destructive patterns and develop new skills to improve your life.

Elena Vassallo has twenty-eight years of experience helping people with anxiety, depression, grief, phase of life transitions, low self-esteem, feelings of meaninglessness, relationship issues and more.

Very rarely in our lives are we given the opportunity and the space to truly look at ourselves, where we have been, and the person we are looking to become. At Kate Giandonato & Associates, we create an environment where you can safely look at yourself, relationships, and potential barriers to achieving your goals. Our relationship-based training in Social Work + Child Development has given us the background to notice and work through the conflicting messages, thoughts and emotions present not only in the parent-child relationship, but in every relationship. We work with our clients to better understand and negotiate these most important relationships.