Existential Therapists in Chana, IL

Life is a journey. We have successes, trying times, and natural challenges to overcome. I feel passionate about being a positive agent of change in the lives of my clients. I recognize that an ideal client is one that desires change, and this inspires me to view my career as a gift and privilege. I specialize in treating grief (life losses and non-life losses), chronic illness, and women's issues. I also treat anxiety, depression, stress, life transitions, relationship concerns, divorce/separation, men's issues, self-esteem, and more. If you are thinking of change, you are capable and worthy of creating it.

My Clients: I work with teens and adults who are face challenges related to their mood, motivation, outlook, and relationships. Many of my clients feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities and disconnected from their communities. They strive to develop improved personal insight and coping skills that will allow them to feel more calm, capable, and connected. I prioritize providing a safe, welcoming environment where people can feel comfortable openly expressing themselves and becoming more attuned to their values, needs, and identities.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. In therapy, I tend to take a collaborative, egalitarian approach to treatment. I am open and nonjudgmental, and I take special time to tailor treatment approaches to fit each individual therapeutic relationship. I practice from a predominately existential-phenomenological framework where individual needs, meaning-making, and pursuit of happiness are emphasized. I also incorporate elements of cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and attachment theory as needed.

I see therapy as a way for you to get free of the habits and perspectives that bind you, so that you can create the life you really want. So much of what makes us suffer is the chasm between how we think things ought to be and how they actually are. Therapy is an ideal way to reconcile these differences, to identify tools that will help you cope with challenges and make the most of your strengths. I use existential and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy to work with clients on issues including life transitions, anxiety, depression, stress and career concerns.

I believe every person has the capacity to face their challenges, to become unstuck from self-defeating patterns, and to live their life in a more empowering and authentic way. I offer integrative, multiculturally-informed psychotherapy for adults of all ages. Some common themes that emerge in my work include relationship concerns, life transitions, identity issues, trauma, existential distress, finding meaning and purpose, and anxiety and depression. I am committed to helping my clients develop self-compassion, interpersonal awareness, intentionality, and balance in their lives.

As a fellow pilgrim in the journey of life, I believe that my work in counseling is more than just a job. It is a vocation. I realize that reaching out for help can seem like a big step for many people. I am committed to assisting clients in this journey by offering empathy, genuineness, and compassion in a nonjudgmental setting. I have many years of working in an outpatient behavioral health in a clinic setting as well as in private practice and in business. I have experience working with a wide variety of clients from many different walks of life, professions, and various faith backgrounds.

Living with an unresolved or unprocessed trauma, whether it be physical, sexual, emotional, or even relational, can make life seem heavy. Yet, there's hope to transform yourself from a victim to a survivor. Our therapeutic journey will explore the interweaves between negative/deviant compulsive behaviors, unhealthy attachments, as well as general life areas where you find yourself highly anxious or stuck. The goal is to ultimately be able to look yourself in the mirror, smile and say, "I'm OK." You won't be alone in this journey to a healthier more positive life. We will be supporting you as you get to a more satisfying place.

I am a dynamic and dedicated individual who focuses on helping clients find meaning and purpose in their lives. Through an existential lens, I integrate a variety of approaches, including CBT, mindfulness, and solutions-focused therapy to help clients discover their wants and needs and the inner resources and self-compassion to pursue them.

Am I the right therapist for you? My clients are relatively high functioning, but feeling stuck or facing common challenges involving relationships, life transitions or existential issues of meaning/purpose. I work best with motivated clients who are ready to do the hard work that's necessary for lasting change. I've witnessed awe-inspiring change in clients, which is what continues to motivate me, and I have seen how my 60+ years of life experience and hard-earned wisdom have helped my clients. I'm passionate about my work and approach it with a high level of professionalism, but I also don't hesitate to inject a bit of humor.

Living well is an extremely difficult affair. Whether a hard relationship, a traumatic event, or a rough season of life that makes little sense - there is hope. As a lover of stories, I have found that the most potent ones often lie buried beneath layers of pain, guilt, and shame, where they subconsciously influence the way we think, feel, and connect with others. The process of healing can only begin as we tell the very stories that bring us pain and choose to love the parts of ourselves that may seem most frightening. Whatever you're facing, I know having a safe space to better understand your world will make it more manageable.

Sharing one's thoughts and feelings with a complete stranger can seem awkward and bizarre. My goal early on in therapy is to make the experience feel as comfortable as possible by creating a space without judgement and aiming to understand you as a whole person, rather than simply a set of symptoms or a diagnosis. I believe that we all have the capacity to overcome life's many obstacles and live closer to our fullest potential. Although therapy is ultimately very serious, I use humor whenever possible so it doesn't feel like you're talking to a robot.

Ashley’s therapeutic style is collaborative and person-centered, using a combination of art therapy, existential therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Emotion Focused Family Therapy, through a multicultural and trauma informed lens. Ashley specializes in anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, ADD/ADHD, depression, general life stressors, and life transitions.

Are you seeking meaningful change and healing in your life? Whether you’re struggling with grief or feeling overwhelmed by life transitions, I’m here to help. I offer more than just a listening ear, I provide practical tools to facilitate profound transformation. I have a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Chicago State University. I work under the guidance of an LCSW supervisor. I utilize narrative and existential frameworks to help you build awareness and understanding of your own thoughts and emotions.

Currently accepting new patients. I believe each person has an innate capacity for growth and self-awareness just waiting to be explored. If you are navigating challenging life transitions, a blend of personal and professional challenges, have relationship issues, dealing with feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, lack of fulfillment in various aspects of your life, or perhaps on a quest for a deeper sense of self-discovery, an existential-integration approach may provide a collaborative and compassionate space for you to reflect upon your experiences, gain clarity about your values, and deepen your understanding of yourself.

I believe that the meaning, or sometimes “lack of meaning,” we apply to our situations, experiences, people, and ourselves is often the root of much discomfort and suffering. In meeting with individuals, I hope to learn, understand, and share your experiences to explore what meaning is being applied and if perspective and approaches need to be adjusted.

I am a Sex Therapist and LCPC providing psychotherapy services to adults. I believe that all individuals have the power to create change in their lives. I work with people to build insight, explore their lived experiences and understand how these experiences intersect to inform thoughts, emotions and behaviors. Through this process, I assist clients in identifying patterns in their life that may no longer be serving them. My therapeutic approach is grounded in an integrative application of Psychodynamic and Existential Therapy. I have received advanced training in Sex Therapy from the University of Michigan.

I have experience in the treatment of addictions, anxiety, and depression. I am also experienced working with trauma, bipolar and borderline personality disorders. I graduated from Colorado Christian University in 2020 with my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am currently working on my CSAT certification. Prior to gaining my Master's in Clinical Mental Health, I worked in non-profit outreach providing services such as psychoeducation in anger management to marginalized population groups and people operations providing recruiting, career development, and human resources support.

My approach as integrative, using different techniques and perspectives to address each individual's unique needs. I frequently use relational, psychodynamic, and existential practices. I work to create an nonjudgmental, accepting, and supportive space. My job is to listen and honor your experience. I also believe therapy is a collaborative space where we will be a team addressing your personal needs and concerns. Therapy is a space for us to build something together.

One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is the time and space for healing and growth. In therapy, my goal is to help you find and nurture your authentic nature, and to honor the wisdom gained from your lived experiences. Our work will consider the various intersecting aspects of your identity and the social, professional, and other cultural contexts in which you exist. I believe that as you experience yourself holistically, on your own and with guidance, you can naturally open yourself to more opportunities for healing, connection, growth, and other meaningful change.