Therapists in Loop, Chicago, IL

Are you feeling overwhelmed with adulting? Struggling to find fulfillment and balance in the busy day to day? You don't have to do this alone! As a genuine and compassionate therapist, I would be honored to join in your corner to help navigate these experiences. With some work together, I will support you on your journey towards wellness and assist in cultivating optimism and growth.

I help clients navigating relational conflicts, chronic Illness, grief, trauma and/or life transitions.

Sarah Elfman, LSW, is a licensed social worker in Illinois who recently joined the staff at SpringSource Psychological Center. She has immediate availability for new clients. She graduated from Florida State University with a master’s degree in social work and has extensive experience working with adolescents, adults, families, and groups. Sarah has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings including intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, community mental health, and refugee emergency response. She has a unique perspective supporting veterans and their families through grief, deployments, and life transitions.

I recognize the importance of building a positive therapeutic relationship and I want you to feel like you can be your full, authentic (sometimes messy!) self during our time together. My goal is to work with you collaboratively to ensure that you are getting what you need out of therapy. There is no right way to do therapy, and I'm here to make sure you're moving towards living your best life!

To schedule a session, please book a call with our Client Care Coordinator here: www.calendly.com/adminccbh. Opening up and being vulnerable to someone can be very intimidating. I welcome any questions that you may have about the therapy process and would enjoy exploring any fears that may arise in taking the first step to opening up to someone. My hope is that by creating a safe space we can establish a connection that fosters a collaborative relationship. I am a strong believer in meeting you where you are at and seeing every client as unique. After all, everyone’s process is different and we all have a story.

From a young age, we are deeply influenced by our experiences in the world and our relationships with others. These experiences, and the meanings we make from them, are often internalized – becoming part of us on both a conscious and unconscious level. We make sense of this the best we can. This sometimes results in us developing ways of thinking, behaving, and relating to others that can be self-defeating and causes pain in our lives. Yet often we are unaware that these patterns are the source of our distress. Other times we recognize this but remain baffled by our seeming inability to change what we so desperately wish to.

I strongly believe in the power of listening well and offering “hospitality” to your experiences, both joys and struggles. I view the counseling relationship as a sacred trust, and seek to foster a dynamic partnership with clients, which is a key to gaining insight, finding healing, and building hope. I welcome individual adult clients who want to work through issues related to self-esteem, self-confidence, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, career/vocation, grief and loss, aging and other matters. It's important to me to hear and understand your story and how you wish to create a fuller and more satisfying life.

Life is truly a gift that is meant to be enriching, filled with freedom and happiness. At times we experience challenges that prevent us from living life the way we truly desire. As a modern cognitive behavioral therapist, I understand these challenges and how they may be altering you internally. I am ready to be there every step of the way to tackle the unexplainable internal struggles. My approach to therapy is a collaborative, solution focused and nonjudgmental. Through this approach I will assist you in gaining insight into who you are, empower you to grow and allow you to truly gain the life that you deserve to live.

The search for a therapist can be exciting, but also a bit intimidating. Having worked with a diverse population in a variety of settings, I have found that the key to effective therapy is providing a non-judgemental environment, one where you feel heard and supported regardless of your past. Whether you are struggling with substance abuse, anxiety, depression, parenting, or a difficult life transition, I can help guide you with tools for change. I provide continual encouragement to help aid you overcome your life obstacles and find a new found compassion for yourself and your loved ones.

My ideal client knows that it is time. It is time to figure out why they don't feel happy, or why they feel they are going in circles, or why the can't seem to solve an issue. They know it is time to go in a different direction, to build strength and confidence, and to get though this current challenge. My ideal client is ready to make changes and are brave enough to walk away from patterns that are unhealthy.

At the heart of my perspective is the idea that as a therapist I have a special kind of role and potential for influence on people's lives. At the same time, I am participating as a fellow human being with an array of emotions and personal tendencies not unlike those of the people who come to me for help. And indeed, as is common of people in the field, and even as is required in formal analytic training, I’ve been a patient myself (hopefully yielding enhanced self-awareness). So I know what it’s like from both sides.

My counseling philosophy is grounded in the belief that every person has the capacity for personal growth and positive change. I approach therapy with a non-judgmental and empathetic attitude, creating a safe space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Thank you for coming by and considering me as a possible support for you during these challenging times. Managing life can drive you to distraction when you are facing tough choices and decisions. And reaching out to a therapist is a strength, even though it can be incredibly hard to do so. Being heard, validated and valued are so very important while making decisions, or just even trying to get along. I offer a choice of approaches as unique and creative as you are, to help you expand to be at your best. You may be feeling caught in depression, anxiety, and stressful relationships. Lets open the doors to feeling and doing better.

Everyone experiences moments in life that feel overwhelming, stressful, or sad. Sometimes, these moments seem to happen with increasing frequency, or we can't seem to find our way out of painful or distressing patterns, despite our best intentions. If this sounds familiar, therapy might be a helpful step for you. I work primarily with adults who are struggling with issues related to mood, anxiety, stress, life transitions and problems in their relationships. I also have significant experience and specialization treating clients who have experienced both chronic and acute trauma, and clients who describe their family or background as chaotic.

Have you ever felt stuck while in a relationship or confused about who you are or where you want to be in your life? Do parts of you feel lost and insecure while other parts of you are so ready to change and give up old habits? These different parts of us may feel pressure from family, friends, work, school, and society to fit a mold of who we are supposed to be as a person. We may even put the most pressure on ourselves to be in control, strive for perfection, or please others. Yet, deep down we may feel empty, out of control, anxious, or inauthentic. You are not alone.

My specialties include self-esteem and identity, victims of narcissism, relationship concerns, body image, anxiety, depression and trauma. I primarily use Psychodynamic approach while incorporating mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment, and Relational Therapy. I am warm and empathetic, humorous and honest. I provide a safe space where clients can explore and hopefully discover their purpose in life. I believe that our past experiences shape our lives and that it is important to carefully examine critical and sometimes difficult moments. I believe that there is no “quick fix” in therapy and that true change takes time.

NOW accepting new clients! Are you struggling to get a grip on life? Anxiety. Relationship conflict. Work challenges. Grief. Codependency. Financial worries. Unshakable sadness. Addiction. It feels as though the world is tumbling down on you. I will help you to work through the difficulties, put the broken pieces back together, and regain control of your life.

Engaging in the process of therapy is both art and science. Individual and collaborative. Hard work and relationship. Working together to create a safe space to heal and grow, I am committed to helping my clients find the version of self they desire. I believe that our truest selves lie in between our goals and our wounds. Whether you walk into my practice at the lowest of lows or ready to be your best self, together we'll uncover the next layer to your growth. Exploring both your goals and your pain, my practice utilizes a variety of approaches to help you create the life and relationships you desire.

I work with individuals and couples to address a range of concerns including mood disorders, substance use, eating disorders, cancer and chronic illness and trauma. My specialties include working with lawyers and law students, doctors, first responders and professional executives. I also specialize in working with patients and families going through cancer from onset of diagnosis to end of treatment. My role as a LCPC is to be an objective guide and source of support to the people I am working with; A voice to help clarify goals and make changes that have often felt out of reach. Please email for the fastest response time.