Chronic Pain Therapists in Chicago, IL

I help individuals who are experiencing suffering and who want to experience healing and lasting change. Maybe you've experienced human-induced trauma, sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, relational conflict, feeling lost, alone, stuck, or simply feeling like some part of your life isn't working. Maybe you're struggling to feel your emotions, or you're confused about how your behavior and emotions are connected. I will work with you to help you understand the root of the issue and how your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors are connected and we'll work together to create greater awareness, freedom, and health in your life.

Hello, My name is Michelle Locke. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been actively practicing as a social worker since 1996 and as an LCSW since 2015. My skill set and professional experience lend themselves to supporting various individuals with Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD), and Spirituality. I enjoy keeping people in therapy through Christian Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Compassion Focused, Strength-Based, and Trauma Focused therapies. I believe that treatment helps people find true hope and healing for the pain we experience at times in life.

I approach the therapy relationship with empathy and curiosity. I will listen deeply to your story and will always try to understand your concerns in the context of your world. I specialize in depth-oriented therapy. As a family psychologist, I see patients of all ages: individuals, couples, and families. I focus on understanding the meanings of body symptoms and physical illness. I incorporate mindfulness, breath, and other practices which integrate the latest brain research. As a cis white woman, my work incorporates my growing awareness of the sociocultural and political forces which impact BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ communities.

Do you know what you need to do or think, but still can't do it? Do you understand how to move forward but find yourself stuck nonetheless? Maybe you have medically unexplained health problems, or doctors telling you it's in your head? These are some of the reasons people seek psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I have been practicing psychotherapy for over 20 years in various settings including a university student counseling center and public mental health clinics for the seriously mentally ill and have effectively worked with clients struggling with conditions ranging from adjustment disorders (reactions to stress) to schizophrenia.

I bring nearly ten years of experience in guiding adults and teens through their therapy journeys. My background spans inpatient hospital settings, outpatient community health centers, specialized outpatient clinics, and private practice, equipping me with a broad perspective on mental wellness. I hold a holistic view of therapy and emphasize the importance of nurturing overall health and wellness. I encourage clients to examine their habits, relationship dynamics, and lifestyle choices as integral components of mental health. I empower clients to uncover and overcome the barriers to their personal growth.

You are deserving of care and support as you navigate the ups and downs in life. As a therapist, I provide a compassionate, non-judgemental space for clients to work through difficult emotions and experiences while feeling safe, seen, and supported. My goal is for clients to feel a sense of ease when they enter sessions and a sense of understanding and hope when they leave. I work with children, adolescents, and adults navigating a range of concerns, including trauma, grief, difficult relationships, chronic illness, disability, neurodivergence, immigration, sexuality, stress, anxiety, and depression.

You get a pit in your stomach when you think about, discuss, or engage in sex; you no longer or never enjoyed it. You have pain, erection, arousal, or orgasm issues and feel stuck. You're curious about trying on a sexual identity or playing in kink/BDSM. You have out-of control or shameful behaviors, dilemmas, porn use, or masturbation problems. You don’t know how to talk to your partner(s) about sex, let alone pulling their load more at home. Religion or the feeling of shame greatly limits you. You just can’t communicate. You can’t trust or forgive them – you’re too hurt and angry. Let me engage you in sex and relationship therapy.

Accepting new clients in-person or virtual. Our approach is goal-oriented at all levels and we truly believe everyone deserves to be free from the things holding them back. At CFC you will find a team of therapists who truly care. We take our time to get to know our clients and create goals that we can support you with. Whether it is you and your partner seeking intimacy or you are looking for relief from anxiety that doesn't seem to ever go away; we are here to help. Our motto is to walk beside our clients and share in this journey. We have 3 EMDR trained therapists, 4 couples counselors, a somatic pain specialist, and 3 interns.

“How is this therapist going to help me?” Fair question. From over 10,000 hours in my broad clinical career to my own harrowing lived experiences, I will bring you a time-tested perspective ready to address your real-life concerns in therapy. The clients I serve come from diverse ethnic, economic and cultural backgrounds, but share the essential similarity of readiness for change. Furthermore, the clinical issues I help individuals and couples to address range from chronic mental illness, neurodivergent struggles, substance misuse, gender/sexuality development, general life "stuck-ness" and differing forms of infidelity.

Understanding that the journey toward healing isn’t always glamorous and sometimes scary, I aim to provide clients with an emotionally safe environment to overcome the difficulties that plague them. I understand that choosing to start therapy isn't always an easy decision due to life’s demands and sociocultural stigma around seeking mental health care. I strive to create therapeutic relationships that are nonjudgmental, authentic, transparent, warm and collaborative. I provides a collaborative and objective platform to explore concerns, unlearn & replace thoughts or behaviors that no longer serve my clients.

Are you or a loved one facing the challenges of living with a chronic illness? Between managing appointments, navigating the medical system, understanding your condition and your medications, recovering from hospital stays, and many more... it can become overwhelming. The mind and the body influence each other, and it's important to actively manage mental health when living with chronic illness. My speciality is in navigating mental health in chronic illness. I can support you in finding the balance and living a life of value.

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 neurodiverse clinician with chronic illness, Willow brings their whole self to working with their community. Their goal is always to give clients the opportunity to feel seen, heard and supported. They are non-judgmental, caring and somewhat goofy. Willow has experience working in a variety of settings around grief, identity development, trauma, anxiety, depression and disability concerns, and has training in trauma-informed play therapy and utilizing expressive arts in therapeutic work. Their approach is grounded in attachment-theory, narrative therapy, harm reduction, disability justice, and family systems theory.

In our modern world, many of us recognize the need to take time to slow down and get in tune with ourselves and our relationships. I actively engage with clients in a reflective process to explore current life stressors, challenges, & behavioral patterns. A relational framework is utilized to help guide clients through an exploration of how current and past relationships influence their lives. Within the context of a safe and trusting therapeutic environment, I help clients to identify the steps needed to overcome challenges and promote positive change.

I work with adolescents, young adults and adults who are struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem challenges and life transitions. My other areas of interest include relationship issues, chronic pain/illness, and career counseling. I specialize in working with individuals who are adjusting to new phases in their lives, whether that be moving away from home, beginning a new career or transitioning professions, or any other major life challenges. Therapy is a collaborative experience where together with my clients we explore their goals and how to best achieve them.

When you live with trauma or emotional pain—or just plain feel lost—it can be difficult to manage your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Together, we can sort out what is and is not working for you so you can feel in control and step into your authentic self. You can find a sense of balance and peace as we navigate the patterns you have fallen into and develop opportunities for healing and a new way of being in the world. As a therapist fluent in American Sign Language, I work extensively with the Deaf community. I am passionate about working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in a way that respects their culture.

I work with you, your partner & Family in a clear practical manner, focusing on life issues, providing insights and skills to cope. I give homework between sessions so you can practice what you learned and focus on healing, communication and problems-solving. For those experiencing anxiety at home or work, I can teach you Meditation, Stress & Anger Management skills and provide you cognitive, behavioral therapy while you learn to apply these skills to your situation. Many of you "may know" what to do. How to find a way to apply it to your situation is what I can provide.

You want to feel emotions fully without shame. You want to be connected to your own sense of desire and purpose. You deserve a space to explore the parts of you that feel unknown, “unacceptable,” or taboo. My commitment in the therapeutic relationship is to welcome and value all aspects of your experience – the stories that reflect humor and resilience, and the parts that have been shamed or dismissed. I combine EMDR trauma processing, somatic approaches, and discussions about how systems of oppression shape what we believe about ourselves to help clients express emotion and explore new patterns and identities.

Are you feeling sad, anxious or overwhelmed? Are you experiencing relationship problems or feeling lonely? Asking for help is a courageous thing to do. As a licensed clinical psychologist, I offer a thoughtful, compassionate, and collaborative approach to dealing with life's difficulties. Together we can find solutions that will make you feel better as soon as possible. I can help you develop new coping strategies and a deeper understanding of your needs. I am committed to helping you use your strengths to grow personally and in your relationships with others. **Unfortunately, I am not able to accept new clients at this time.*