Chronic Illness Therapists in Chicago, IL

Life can get challenging sometimes. Sometimes coping can become difficult and that's when it's time to get some support and learn new coping skills to maneuver through the challenging times.

When life feels like a knotted ball of yarn, sometimes we need help finding a thread to grab. As a therapist, I support my clients in finding that thread. I work with clients who are experiencing work challenges, disability, life transitions, OCD, anxiety and depression. Couples often will come to me when they are feeling afraid and lonely in their relationship, and walking on eggshells. As your couples’ therapist I will work in supporting you to share with each other vulnerably and fully. I will help you to both see the injuries that have happened when feeling lonely and disconnected from each other and how to heal together.

Is it hard for your child or teen to cope with a medical illness or recent life change? Is your teen struggling with instructions, worrying about the future, staying in their room, and getting angry over small things? Or is your child having more tantrums and struggles with their behavior? There's hope! We will work together to make things better using proven ways to express strong emotions, change behaviors, and make a positive future for you and your child. My style is all about making you and your child feel heard, empowered, and cared for. We'll work together to make things better for you and your family!

As someone who has faced many adversities, life challenges, has had their own struggles with physical health and mental health – I completely get how hard it is to not only ask for help but the challenges and the courage it takes to be vulnerable enough to ask for help from others – even, from yourself. I acknowledge that one’s healing journey is not linear because it takes time, work, having plan B when plan A doesn’t work out, having plan C for plan B, etc. Most importantly, the need to develop some kindness and compassion with yourself to work through feelings or experiences that feel complicated, messy, or misunderstood.

My approach to therapy is holistic and incorporates the connection of the mind, body and emotions. Clients have described me as warm, supportive, non-judgmental and calm. My goal is to help better manage your thoughts, feelings, and to help you feel happier and healthier. I welcome the opportunity to join your journey to healing and recovery.

Amber Walker is a graduate from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and is currently obtaining her licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Illinois. She received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent treatment from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Before CCBH, Amber worked closely with children and families residing in underserved populations. Amber provided continuous support and used strength-based and evidence-based models such as the Parent as Teacher model to strengthen family engagement, family dynamics, and parenting practice.

Have you been feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed? Are you struggling to manage a physical condition and accept the impacts these struggles have on you and your relationships? I help support individuals with emotional challenges as well as those dealing with acute and chronic physical pain and illness. If you're dealing with anxiety, stress, sadness, loneliness, or the many difficulties that accompany physical pain/illness, I am here to help.

To say that life is always smooth sailing would be the furthest thing from honest, but working to develop, explore, and establish yourself can help provide greater ease on your life's journey. Exploring your holistic identity, my treatment approach uses mindfulness practices and art making to connect you to your mind and body. I have experience working across the lifespan with individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, life transitions, self-esteem, trauma, self-identity, and learning disabilities. Our minds and our bodies are intertwined to create a unique whole being.

My ideal client longs to lean into their creativity, strengths, support system, and resilience. They want to see meaningful, healthy change in their lives. They could be coming into the therapy space with a range of presenting problems, but need a sounding board to help them navigate a difficult time in their life. They are open-minded to the process of therapy and are ready to collaborate in setting achievable goals.

Each person processes physical and emotional experiences differently. My approach in treating these experiences as they become overwhelming to ones physical and mental health is with compassion and authenticity. When working in the respiratory therapy field I watched many of my patients struggle with managing their complex emotional responses due to the chronic respiratory illnesses. Anxiety, stress and depression has an impact not only on our mental well being but our physical health as well.

As a therapist and healer, I believe it is necessary to have an intersectional understanding of systemic oppression and all the harm it can bring to an individual. I work with adolescents and adults who want to expand their skills for communication, trust, and radical self-acceptance. Healing happens in community, and I work with my clients to help them locate themselves in a resourced community. I use decolonizing/re-indigenizing practices to help empower my clients to live authentically, joyfully, and with as much safety as possible in an oppressive society.

Losses and life transitions can change everything you thought you knew. Maybe a family member has been recently diagnosed with cancer, the loss of someone close to you has altered your outlook on life, or life transitions have changed your relationships with others or with yourself. I specialize in supporting adults who are navigating life changes, transitions, and losses. Together we will explore the best ways for you to cope with difficult emotions, understand yourself and who you are becoming, increase your sense of self-worth and purpose, and discover renewed direction in life.

Life often brings change, transition and loss, and this can sometimes feel overwhelming. We often feel like we have to face these challenges alone, yet we can often benefit from seeking support. As a therapist, it's my role to encourage you to explore your goals and support your growth, so that you can live your life to its fullest. I strive to create a safe, open space for sharing, and approach work together with warmth and authenticity. Each person's story is unique, and we will work together to identify the strategies and approaches that will enhance your well-being and quality of life.

To schedule sessions, please book a call with Care Coordinator here: www.calendly.com/adminccbh Lexus is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and empowering environment for individuals to explore their unique experiences. With a focus on enhancing inner strength and resilience, she specializes in providing support for various challenges, including trauma, relationship difficulties, neuro-divergence, grief/loss, and coping skill development. Lexus creates a flexible and supportive space that accommodates the needs of all individuals.

Change is a part of life, but it can make everything feel out of control. How will I get through it? Is this really what I should be doing? Everything feels like too much. Whether you’re entering a “quarter life crisis”, questioning what you want in life, or going through the motions, unhappy in a job or relationship that doesn’t feel right, you don’t need to figure it all out on your own. It’s time to feel a sense of relief, confidence in your decisions, and direction in life. You want to enjoy life, be fully present in the great moments without feeling stress weighing you down everyday. Together, we can make life feel lighter.

I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a rich and meaningful life and therapy can be a powerful catalyst for change. I consider it a privilege to accompany others on their journey to well-being and strive to create an empowering and non-judgmental space that supports development. My approach to therapy is collaborative, compassionate, and I don’t hesitate to effectively and responsibly incorporate humor into the therapeutic process. As a multicultural and feminist psychologist, I am aware of the unique concerns of those with marginalized identities and welcome clients from a variety of diverse backgrounds.

In one moment, your life can change forever. These turning points in life often lead to us question everything we have known. As we try to pick up the pieces of our life, we can get lost along the way. We are here to help you to find your way and overall become healthier.

I understand that making the decision to begin therapy can be as daunting as it is positive. I will provide a warm, supportive space to begin to sort out life's challenges. I believe that everyone has the resilient capacity to create change and will help guide clients toward healthy goals by letting go of past issues, negative thoughts, and/or unwanted behaviors. As an experienced, licensed psychotherapist with a masters degree in clinical social work from the University of Chicago, I have been a practicing social worker since 2004 and a psychotherapist since 2011.

Is it difficult for you to achieve your goals because of depression, anxiety, panic, or fears? For over 25 years I have provided a comfortable and supportive atmosphere where results can be obtained quickly. Do you experience the overwhelming impact of chronic disease on you and your family? Do you or a loved one have physical or medical problems that just seem too stressful or confusing to manage? Many people seek my help with asthma, emphysema, diabetes, heart, and other chronic diseases and achieve better treatment results and a higher level of control in their lives.