Therapists in West Town, Chicago, IL

Hello, I’m Emilie, but you can call me Em! I am a compassionate, authentic, and dedicated mental health professional driven by the belief that therapy can be transformative and deeply meaningful. I truly believe that everyone deserves the chance to delve into the depths of who they are and nurture their emotional well-being along the way. You’re worth every bit of effort and investment, and together, we can journey through life’s ups and downs, guiding you toward a deeper sense of well-being and fulfillment.

Welcome! I’m Dr. Nicole Vélez-Pagán, a bilingual (English/Spanish) licensed clinical psychologist with over 7 years of experience at Reconnect Psychotherapy, PLLC. As a Latina, I am interested in working with the unique challenges faced by Latinx, Hispanic, and BIPOC communities. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming space where you feel heard, valued, and respected. Using evidence-based techniques and a culturally responsive approach, I’m here to support you in your journey toward self-discovery and well-being. I'm excited to support you in this meaningful journey.

I have a specialty in addiction therapy but also specialize in many other areas such as depression, anxiety, trauma and difficult life experiences. When working with clients, I seek to support and empower each individual and motivate them to work toward change. By using an integrative and collaborative approach I incorporate my background in cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and person-centered therapy. My goal is to help clients equip themselves with skills, clarity, meaning and self-awareness, so they are better able to experience a meaningful and satisfying life.

No matter what challenges you may be experiencing, you are valid in seeking support. Being a child, teenager, young adult, or parent is hard. Every stage brings new obstacles, relationships, hopes, and fears. I am here to hold a space for you, your child, and your family to explore and process whatever you need. You can count on me to provide an environment that encourages honesty, vulnerability, and resiliency. I am passionate about supporting my clients in their pursuit of growth and connection.

When we are able to truly understand ourselves and our relationships, we can build a life of genuine meaning and connection. Many people enter into therapy only to find themselves gaining small amounts of insight that produce little or no changes in their life. My therapeutic methods produce results that not only change the way we feel about ourselves in the world but change our behaviors. I am respectful of the fact that everyone's pace and tolerance to different interventions varies. My work is reflective of the care and respect I have for each and every client as individuals.

As a culturally competent couples & EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapist with +four years of academic and clinical training, serving you uniquely is my highest regard. Some of the reasons my clients reach out include feeling stuck in familiar cycles, experiencing high levels of criticism or relational contempt, developmental trauma like sexual abuse or attachment wounds like emotional abandonment or betrayal. My approach is incremental, client-centered and holistic.

I aim to provide a non-judgemental holding space fueled by curiosity for your experiences. We are in a particularly interesting time where community and support is needed more than ever to help us navigate the world. Therapy is one piece of the puzzle to more sustainable wellness overall. In therapy we are allowed space to explore the meaning we’ve made from past experiences, societal expectations, and world views. I’ve worked in residential facilities for young families and community mental health with ages throughout the lifespan.

Facing anxiety, stress or life changes? You're not alone. I specialize in empowering teens and adults within the African American, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities to effectively manage anxiety, reduce overthinking and navigate life transitions. With a focus on self-awareness, I'll equip you with tools to understand your emotions, challenge irrational thoughts, and embrace changes with confidence. As a former school therapist, I offer personalized support to nurture your growth. Whether you're an adult seeking clarity or a parent concerned about your teen's behavior, rest assured, I'm here to help you navigate through life's challenges.

Hi, I'm Ezza and I'm so glad that you are here. My life’s work is to understand and strengthen human relationships, and to help others live an authentic and a meaningful life. As your therapist, my aim is to offer you a safe space to explore things in your life that may or may not be going well and become an active participant in your life. One of the ways that you will experience therapy with me is that it is a collaborative process aimed at getting you to notice, bring attention, and slow down especially when the world urges all of us to numb, ignore, distract, or speed up.

Life is challenging and the unexpected happens. Issues from the past often play a role in the choices we make. We tend to repeat patterns, often unconsciously, which may no longer be helpful in our effort to move forward.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist that works with individuals & families struggling with eating disorders & comorbid issues, including, depression, anxiety, dual diagnosis, relationship issues & life transitions. From a systemic, psycho-dynamic foundation, I focus on past & present relationships and how behavioral patterns evolve over time. I believe the therapeutic relationship provides a safe space for the client to explore, uncover, and discover emotions. This allows the client to build trust, to take emotional risks, to challenge maladaptive coping in order to create new, more effective ways of managing painful emotions.

It is my goal to help you learn ways to manage difficult emotions during times of change or challenges. Together we will draw upon your resilience and strength to find new insights and learn strategies to positively affect change in your life.

Hi! I'm Nicole. Whether it's unraveling the impact of trauma, managing the complexities of eating disorders, or navigating the depths of depression and anxiety, I'm here to provide you with tailored, evidence-based strategies for healing.I understand the unique struggles associated with identity and stigma in the context of these conditions. I prioritize feelings of safety and belonging. Together, we'll explore ways to develop a strong and resilient sense of self, free from the burdens of societal judgment.My ultimate goal is to empower you to not only overcome your challenges but to thrive and find a path to a more fulfilling life.

I see therapy as a secure space where people can explore who they are and how they can overcome whatever obstacles they may face without fear of judgment. I approach my position with compassion, patience, and a sense of humor. Opening up to a stranger is not easy, and I respect the work it takes on a client's end to participate in therapy. Clients can gain a greater sense of insight into who they are by reflecting on their identity, life experiences, and relationships with themselves and others. My background includes work with survivors of childhood trauma, LGBTQ+ clients, older adults, refugees, and young men.

Life seems like it’s in constant motion. Without taking moments, we may not be realizing the changes that are taking place in life. Our bodies are wise and tend to attune to our experiences and significant events with our emotions. In attempts to explain thoughts or feelings, discomfort may be rising within you. You may not have words for it all, but your body is telling you something through emotions. It would be a privilege to sit with you to navigate through and process your experiences along with anything else you made need.

As a therapist, I hold a strong belief in the effectiveness of therapy to empower individuals, cultivate self-awareness, and facilitate meaningful personal growth. My ideal client is someone earnestly seeking support through life's challenges, possibly grappling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or life transitions, especially adolescents and adults. They seek a safe space to explore thoughts and emotions, aiming to empower themselves, build self-awareness, and develop coping strategies. They value evidence-based therapy and are motivated to improve their well-being and quality of life through the therapeutic process.

Somewhere along our life’s journey, we may have lost our “true self.” Somewhere in our past, we may have gotten stuck, thinking “I am not my best self.” We may know exactly when this shift happened, we may not. It is my belief that being in an empathic, non-judgmental and trusting therapeutic relationship can support you in living the life you always wanted.

Change is hard. Whether it’s a move, a loss of a loved one, or a new job, transitions can be some of the most challenging things you work through. Even if it’s a transition you expect or choose, often it still isn’t easy. You have to ask yourself, “How do I move forward?”. You may even ask yourself, “Who am I now?”. The stress of uncertainty can take your sleep, your appetite, your relationships, or even the activities you used to love. Sometimes you might have to numb those feelings just to get through your day.

As we walk through life, experiences are constantly being added to our “backpacks.” Our backpacks, at times, feel particularly heavy & uncomfortable, subsequently making daily experiences feel burdensome. I see therapy as a space to take off your backpack - a time to empty its parts and explore them with curiosity & self-compassion, hopefully putting them back inside feeling a little lighter. I aim to hold space for all parts of your backpack, carrying them with you in ways that are collaborative, warm, and affirming.