In Person Therapists in Loop, Chicago, IL

Hello and welcome! I am so glad that you are here. Finding the right person to help you through social, emotional, mental and physical challenges is very important. I want to provide you with some information about me in order to help you decide if my experience and style is the right match for you. I have been a social worker for 9 years and have experience working with individuals from all different socioeconomic, cultural, and familial backgrounds who are struggling with a wide variety of challenges.

You may find yourself feeling like you are surrounded by a forest of pressures and uncertainty in your life. Possibly not knowing what or who you can rely on. Daily pressures may feel like you cannot control your thoughts from going into a downward spiral. Ongoing pressures could make you feel the need to have all the answers, all of the time. Excessive pressures can leave you feeling like no matter what you do, you are failing, letting others down or not meeting your own goals. You may act as if everything is ok; ignoring the pain inside, when it feels like you could explode. It’s ok to let go, surrender, and allow help.

I provide trauma informed care to those struggling with relational difficulties, anxiety, depression, C-PTSD, generational/intergenerational trauma, identity development, family of origin and attachment issues, racial trauma and historical trauma, systemic issues, and life transitions. I use a cultural perspective to explore and address the effects of racism, historical trauma, migration, and identity on one’s mental health and well-being. As a result, I am passionate about helping individuals who sit at the intersection of various marginalized identities on their mental health journey.

Consideration of entering therapy can feel like an overwhelming task, especially if you are struggling, feeling like "nothing will change", in transition or have been hurt in previous relationships. I provide a safe, trusting and non-judgmental environment in which we work together on your challenges. While I bring knowledge and experience to our work, you are the expert on you: your goals and feedback on the process will drive our work together. Clients have provided me with excellent feedback, stating that I am open, empathic and good-natured about the difficulties of change.

The intersection between ourselves and others often begins with a journey inward. This path is often nonlinear. I take great honor in becoming a part of someone's inner voyage. This privilege is intertwined in my therapeutic style, in which I believe there is a transformative power that exists during the process of psychotherapy. Anchored in the professional client-clinician relationship, our work together will deepen self-awareness through gentle inquiry, promote insight into how our past weaves itself into our present experiences, and empower you to cultivate your full potential.

Renew. Revive. Restore. The decision to begin therapy is a brave one. Embarking on a journey of healing is an investment in one's self. I seek to partner with clients on their quest to better understand themselves, their relationships and their lives. In the confines of a respectful, nurturing relationship, clients heal from their past and create a new narrative in which they can thrive.

I believe that you are the expert of your own experiences. Our sessions will be a collaborative space where we'll explore areas of your life that you want to understand better. Together, we'll work toward personal growth and address the challenges you bring to therapy.

My approach to therapy is grounded in the belief that each individual has the capacity to affect change in his/her life. I also believe in my responsibility to actively engage with my client and facilitate their movement through their issues and feelings. Different theoretical interventions may be more facilitative depending on one's particular needs, one's background, one's view of the world, and one's capacity for insight. As a therapist, I truly consider the individual as a whole and attempt to utilize the most effective tool to facilitate progress towards independent wellness given the particular needs and challenges of my client.

I am interested in hearing from individuals of all ages who would like to speak about their struggles, dreams and anxieties and what is making them feel stuck or overwhelmed. My approach is based on the unique ways individuals and families have of speaking- or not being able to speak- about troubles across generations, exploring over time the creative ways these troubles can enter speech so that individuals and families can relate differently to themselves and those around them. We can listen together for what comes up in sessions that points to new ways forward in life and a greater sense of freedom that is tailored to you.

Cia Souleles specializes in childhood and adult trauma, family of origin issues, relationship issues, and attachment challenges. Interests also lie in family systems and failure to launce issues. She exclusively works with adults over the age of 25.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provide individual therapy to adults across the lifespan. I received my clinical training at the University of Chicago and over my career have specialized in perinatal mental health, life transitions (particularly related to career, parenthood, and caregiver support), mood disorders, trauma, and grief and loss.

As a therapist, my focus is on providing compassionate support to individuals navigating significant life transitions, grappling with existential questions, and managing anxiety and depression. I am deeply committed to meeting you where you are in your journey and collaboratively exploring a treatment plan that resonates with your unique needs and goals. I am passionate about helping individuals uncover the deep meaning within their life stories and equipping them with practical tools to manage psychological distress effectively.

I believe that therapy can help people to make profound and lasting changes in their lives. Whether you are going through a big transition, wrestling with difficult emotions, or just feeling stuck, therapy can be a space for you to talk through what is happening and to build toward a happier and more fulfilling way of living.

I believe the quality of your relationships directly impacts the quality of your life. The therapeutic relationship can be an intimidating one but is able to enhance your unique relationships with yourself and those closest to you. I prioritize my relationship with you. I meet you where you are, ready to hear your story. Reaching out for therapy is often preceded by experiencing barriers to a relationship. I value your emotional safety and your human dignity by empathizing, accepting and supporting you along your life journey. No matter the challenges you face, I am ready to join with you in this current stage of your story.

Are you struggling with anxiety or depression? Low self-confidence or a difficult life transition? Would you like to develop tangible skills that enable you to think and behave in ways that promote increased confidence, internal control, mental clarity and achievement of goals? I utilize the best research-based therapy techniques to help you achieve lasting, positive change. And when experiencing emotional suffering, you may wonder if you could ever feel at peace again. The truth is, it’s possible but it will take work. With my guidance and support, we can make that happen. Recovery is possible!

I provide quality mental health counseling and therapy that is thoughtfully tailored to your needs. Our work together will address concerns in an empowering and centering way that produces substantive change. My approach is connective (Therapy works best when we are able to connect and work well together) and directive (by directive I mean that I give things for you to do during the week like writing, journaling, reading, exercises, reflections, and/or activities). I'm known for being helpful with people who have been through therapy and haven't had success. I help people find aliveness, creativity, and strength.

Therapy should be a safe space to navigate feelings, process past experiences, and foster a positive, trusting relationship between you and your therapist. I hope to create an environment to slow down and make space for yourself to process your emotions. I work holistically with clients utilizing Internal Family Systems frameworks, somatic parts work, and behavioral therapy to provide a safe, non-judgmental space. I prioritize the importance of the therapist-client relationship and aim to balance validation and unconditional support with gentle challenging and curiosity.

When you contact our practice, we aim to provide a comfortable, professional, and pleasant experience for you to grow and freely process. We want you to feel heard, so we listen carefully and deeply. We commit to be proactive and help create a safe and welcoming place for you to connect with your thoughts and feelings, your values, and even your dreams. We help build an alliance with you to grow in understanding and wisdom, to help you find and become yourself, and to develop more meaningful relationships and work.

Throughout my clinical work, I have engaged in opportunities to offer therapeutic care within a variety of settings, including community mental health clinics, inpatient hospitals, and university/college counseling centers. I have been honored to work alongside clients seeking support regarding substance misuse, adjustment difficulties, relationship struggles, identity development, intimate partner violence, trauma, systemic oppression, and mental health diagnoses.