Anxiety Therapists in North Center, Chicago, IL

Are you struggling and feeling disconnected in your relationships? Is the transition you were once excited about, no longer going according to plan, or coming with unwanted stress and anxiety? Has the pain, confusion, or loss of identity become too much? Trust me, I’ve been there. The human experience can bring many seasons of immense pain, uncertainty and heartache, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. It actually is possible to have connected relationships, fulfillment in your career, and confidence in who you're becoming.

Relationship issues can hijack your life. Dysfunctional romantic and family relationships, demanding bosses, inappropriate coworkers, weird friends, or complicated roommates can all be the kinds of relationships that isolate us; affect our sleep, appetites, and focus; and stir up BIG feelings. Breaking up, even if it's the right thing to do, can turn our lives upside down while we feel pressure on us to “just move on already,” when we are grieving. Sometimes we are having a hard time grieving loved ones who have died. Difficult relationships can also cause collateral damage to your relationship with yourself.

Greetings! Thanks for stopping by and reading my profile. I know that finding the right therapist-client relationship is vital to the therapeutic process and as such something I prioritize. I truly enjoy learning about and working with all of my clients and helping them use their strengths to meet their goals. We work together to build a strong therapeutic partnership that is holistic, strength-based, person-centered and considers cultural beliefs and backgrounds. I am bilingual (fluent in Spanish) and have a passion for tailoring treatment to meet the specific needs of the person. My style is compassionate and relational.

Welcome! I look forward to working with you. I’m versatile and cater my approach to fit each person’s needs. I embrace differences and similarities. I strive to create a safe and open environment which is very important to develop an effective therapeutic relationship and to initiate the healing process. I’m an engaging person who is very compassionate about helping others win. I will put my best foot forward to help you find your spark. It’s rewarding and fulfilling. I believe that anyone can benefit from therapy. I will help you identify your strengths, needs and desires to work towards establishing a winning atmosphere.

You may be experiencing a period of mental unrest and uncertainty. When you have the space and willingness to reflect on past traumas and experiences to understand their impact on your current circumstances, you gain a new awareness that often leads to powerful insights. As a licensed clinical psychologist who understands the need for inner healing first, it is my goal to support you in identifying core sources of pain, confusion, fear, and stress in order to get to the root cause of the issue. By working with you to form a deeper sense of clarity, I am able to guide you in taking the next steps along your journey of healing.

Perhaps you are here because you are finding that your life is not feeling as fullfilled as you would like it to be. You may also be experiencing conflicts or loss in family, career, and personal areas of your life. I can offer you an opportunity to gain a better understanding of what is happening that prevents you from reaching your goals. Together we can discover new ways to acheive what you are looking for out of life. My approach is compassionate and empathic, yet focused and direct, in order to help you meet your needs.

Do you ever feel so stressed that it’s hard to concentrate? Are you at the end of your rope and now your relationships are suffering? Are you looking for more than just a therapist to vent to, and are ready to see real change? As a coach and a therapist, I combine evidence-based therapeutic tools and integrative holistic practices that provide life-changing results. I take a direct, yet sensitive therapeutic approach to help people see themselves more clearly and stay in action around their goals.

How are various choices, self-beliefs, coping styles, and relationships combined with any mental health challenges in your life impacting you? Are they moving you toward your personal values and goals? Can you readily identify what those even are? By seeking to understand past influences, non-functional coping behaviors and core beliefs, and building helpful skills and boundaries, we'll work together towards self-acceptance and forward movement. My approach draws from behavioral change approaches of CBT and DBT modalities as well as person-centered and Adlerian therapies, and am trained in EMDR.

Whether you're facing difficulties related to anxiety, depression, stress, or grief, I offer a warm, thoughtful space for exploration and growth. I enjoy collaborating with clients who seek to understand their experiences, identify unhelpful patterns, and find meaning and purpose in their lives. Together, we can work to untangle how past and present events have shaped you and discover new ways to care for yourself.

Are you hoping for a therapy experience where you feel seen and motivated for lasting change? I hope that if you are struggling with excessive anxiety or periods of low mood that you might reach out. I have a style of therapy that creates a place of safety and exploration. I think that therapy is noble work and not only important but worth it. I can help you create new patterns while having compassion and moving away from old unhealthy ones. I have a background in the corporate world and I blend my knowledge from that experience with a therapeutic one which gives me a unique approach to change.

I believe in meeting my clients where they are at in their life and providing a safe space, filled with empathy and authenticity. I like to focus on the clients personal goals and walk through that journey with them. I am dedicated to advocating for my clients, providing support, and continuously offering a holistic approach that accounts for multicultural factors.

I offer support to individuals who are experiencing anxiety, life transitions, relationship issues, grief and loss, depression and trauma related symptoms. I partner with every client to deeply understand their unique needs and goals to live a fulfilling and connected life. In addition to my work in private practice, I have experience and training in case management and crisis counseling in both hospital and outpatient settings. I incorporate yoga based practices, meditation, NET, and somatic based approaches in my clinical work with clients.

Do you wonder if therapy will actually make a difference with your anxiety? Have you been in therapy before but it didn't create lasting change? The word "therapy" can cause a lot of different thoughts for people. I believe therapy is a place to understand the different patterns our minds have created to avoid pain. They often work well, but only in the short term. These patterns have usually been created from an earlier time in our life. However, they are now causing us more problems than solutions as adults. Understanding these parts of ourselves can create change that lasts long term and reduce the hamster wheel of anxiety.

Have you been feeling lost? As if you are floating through life, having trouble finding direction? Are you unsure about the state of your relationship or friendships? Worried about what to do next? Are you stuck in a general state of grief after experiencing loss? I can help! With my professional training and life experience, I will help you identify new possibilities and guide you in discerning the best options for yourself as you navigate these big questions.

I'm currently holding all appointments via teletherapy. I work with individuals of all ages experiencing anxiety, depression, and life transitions. I also specialize in working with children, adolescents, and parents navigating school anxiety and refusal.

Are you looking to feel more peace and joy in your life? Would you like to break old patterns, address past hurt, receive needed support in a difficult time, or step into more of what you were created for? Working from a strengths-based perspective I believe a lot of healing can come from discovering the unique strengths, plans, and purposes each of us possesses. Through this lens we can work together to identify areas in need of healing and achieve your unique goals. Whatever you may be going through I believe that there is hope and a way forward.

Through a feminist and relational lens, I work diligently to empower my clients through their growth process. I believe that counseling should be as unique as the individual or relationship seeking guidance, and we will work together to find an approach that will fit best.

Are there parts of your story you wish you could forget? Do you feel like no matter how much you try, you’re never enough? Does your anxiety, shame, and trauma feel crippling? This is a painful place to be, but you don’t have to do this alone. I provide an exploratory space where you can unpack and heal from some of the most difficult parts of your story. As a black, male therapist, I understand how your background and unique context impacts your life. As we explore your story, I’ll help you move from trauma to healing, shame to self-compassion, and anxiety to freedom.

Erik Shookman is a Licensed Social Worker who has experience working with adults and adolescents from all walks of life. He specializes in addressing issues related to depression, anxiety, OCD, phobias, relationships, grief and loss, trauma and addiction. Erik strongly believes that the foundation of any successful treatment is built upon the therapeutic alliance between client and therapist. He takes a holistic approach to therapy and takes great pride in the working relationships that he cultivates with his clients. He strives to make his clients feel safe, seen, and understood.