Therapists in Loop, Chicago, IL

I believe the meaning we create from our experiences and environment plays a significant role in shaping how we navigate, adapt, and survive the world. My priority is that we cultivate a collaborative non-judgmental therapeutic relationship that centers on safety, positive regard, genuineness, and openness. Within this space, my clients will be able to freely explore their vulnerabilities, express distressful emotions (pain, grief, anger, etc.), make greater meaning out of their experiences, and redefine past experiences.

Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder? These are areas I specialize in and will collaborate with you to facilitate healing. If you woke up tomorrow and your life was exactly the way you wanted it, what would your life look or feel like? Let's see how close to that vision we can get. Clients I work best with are those who are motivated to change and looking to evolve their perspectives and life. We will work together to get you to that place where you are confident, full of self-love and attract fruitful opportunities to your life..

Sometimes life throws us challenges that are too overwhelming to handle alone. As a trauma informed and culturally sensitive therapist, I understand the importance of allowing space and time for healing in a non-judgmental space. As your therapist, my priority is that you feel comfortable as we work through these difficulties together. My approach is collaborative, as your voice is equally important. This is your lived experience, and my role is to help guide and gently empower you towards realizing a better version of yourself.

For over 20 years I have been helping people with anxiety, depression, relationship struggles and work related challenges. Regardless of how intelligent or insightful a person is, everyone may at times become overwhelmed or stuck. We may not know what to do, or knowing what to do we are puzzled by why we don't act in our own best interests. Becoming "unstuck", acting in one's best interests, often requires the courage to experience painful feelings and tolerate uncertainty while changing. At these times, the safety and privacy of the therapeutic relationship can help one to move forward to a more fulfilling life.

I am an active therapist in that I ask questions and offer consistent feedback to guide the session’s focus. I utilize an integrative style – applying a variety of approaches to best meet the needs of each client/couple and their concerns. I am a BIPOC affirming, anti-racist, LGBTQ+ inclusive therapist who strives to hold space for your unique narrative and intersectional self. I recognize the need for flexibility and creativity to address the mind and body. My approach focuses on identifying physical cues, recognizing thoughts, considering consequences, implementing solutions, choosing behaviors, and promoting expression.

Happily accepting new, womxn clients (13 yrs- 30 yrs)! Meeting clients where they are and being in the moment is essential to me. I show up as myself, embracing my authenticity and encouraging others (you!) to do the same within this space. My language circulates "We" as this is a We process where I will not leave you to figure out these difficult moments alone. We work together to overcome life’s challenges. My values center around culture, relationships, the LGBTQ+ community, inner child work, generational/cultural trauma, anxiety and depression.

What's holding you back? I work with driven professionals to work through obstacles and get you back on track to the life you want. Whether it's a diagnosable disorder like depression, something from your past you'd like to sort out, an addiction or consistent compulsion, or a relational issue, it's my privilege to offer my training and experience in service of your goals. I find a lot of our experience comes down to patterns. Our brains quickly assess a situation, choose from a list of pre-formed thoughts and behaviors, and push "GO."

It's a privilege to work with clients on the things that matter to them the most. Our dreams, our goals and our closest relationships, these are at the core of who we are and our path toward creating a life that is happy, satisfying and complete. All of us can benefit from the support and encouragement of a therapist who listens and helps to understand so that we can build the lives and relationships we hope for. As a therapist, my goal is to support you in a caring way. I do this by creating a non-judgmental and accepting space where individuals and couples can work through what is stopping them.

We're all just trying to make sense of this thing called life. Some of us are empowered while others struggle. No matter where you might find yourself on this continuum, I can help you. Whether we explore what it means to be more fully actualized or simply craft a space for you to catch your breath during a particular challenging time in your life, I aim to support and walk with you through whatever you present with. It takes courage and ego-strength to know when you want help. Let me be among the first to congratulate and assist you.

Being human is so beautiful, and can also be very difficult. Our bodies hold stories of great beauty, and also great shame. Often stories of pain, shame, and harm get minimized and not tended to. As a result, these stories are held in our bodies and can lead to addictions, anxiety, depression, loss of connection, anger, sadness, self-doubt, negative self-esteem, overwhelming emotions, and disorientation. If you can relate to this, you are not alone - I am here for you, and most importantly, there is hope!

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.

The Coronavirus Pandemic has created a collective trauma. There can be some comfort in knowing that everyone is making sacrifices in this new uncharted world; however, each person’s experience is unique. Often there are unexpected ups and downs in coping that can be surprising and catch us off guard. I specialize in working with clients facing issues of trauma. I have always been fascinated in how the mind naturally creates coping strategies to help get us through tough situations in its drive towards survival. Sometimes these strategies are helpful, but other times they can hinder us from living life to its fullest.

Our authentic connections to one another sustain us as human beings. Often past harms and invalidation make us further disconnected from ourselves and each other. By moving beyond binaries created and sustained by capitalism and other constructs of oppression, I pathologize systems and not people. I work to create an environment that affirms a person’s complete and complex humanity with a sense of compassion that is free from judgment or imposed expectations. When we establish secure and affirming relationships, we have the ability to embrace our authentic selves and the numerous possibilities of transformation.

Sincere, compassionate, and knowledgeable, I am a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience treating adults, children, adolescents, and families from diverse backgrounds. Educated in psychodynamic psychotherapy and incorporating cognitive behavioral strategies and mindfulness techniques, I strive to create a safe and welcoming therapeutic environment, while helping you process earlier life experiences and implement healthier coping skills. I focus on a collaborative process in providing you with prevention and interventions towards your current stressors.

Life can be stressful and overwhelming. Feelings of anxiety and depression can occur during challenging times. We all have unique identities and ways of expressing ourselves, and we all view the world and our roles in it in distinctive ways. Non-judgmental, open-minded conversations within the context of a trusting relationship can help. Connecting with someone who can relate to your perspectives helps relieve stress and paves the way to lasting, meaningful change.

I am a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in supporting adolescents, adults, and families navigate through challenges related to significant life transitions, work and life stressors, trauma, relationship and attachment difficulties, emotional challenges, and maternal mental health issues.

The things that life throws at us can be so difficult - and without genuine, empathetic, and reliable support, that change may feel almost impossible to maneuver through. I foster a therapeutic environment of comfort and honesty so that we can work together as our full selves, to conquer some of those small goals you may have, and some of those goals that you're just not sure how to put into words. I enjoy using trauma informed, solution focused interventions to assist individuals in identifying barriers for growth and better effectively cope with painful thoughts/emotions.

We are all works in progress and the world around us can steer us in the wrong direction. I strive to work with my clients to find the most rewarding path and the healthiest balance of one’s needs, through learning more about oneself, others, and the world around us. It is essential to find a therapist that makes you feel validated, respected, and acknowledged by honoring your intersectional identities. As such, I strive to embody this in the therapeutic approaches that I use with my clients to uniquely address their presenting concerns.

I believe that therapy extends beyond symptom relief; it entails gaining insight into one's self, patterns, and relationship dynamics. In other words, in order to "feel better," I think it is important to uncover how and why these symptoms developed over time. I aspire to help patients obtain this deeper understanding by fostering a sense of security and connectedness, which will allow me to act as a collaborative guide through this exploration. In therapy, I encourage patients to be active participants in their process so as to develop a sense of empowerment leading to relief from current symptoms as well as sustainable change.