Dual Diagnosis Therapists in Chicago, IL

There are a few golden threads tying us together, serving as reminders of our most universal experience; a desire to be truly seen and heard by others, and to understand ourselves. To pursue these ideals, often, means you may be feeling lost, as if you're constantly performing for others or on display, lonesome, a lack of authenticity, as if there's a disconnect between you and "them", an inability to form or maintain meaningful, stable relationships, frustration, shame, self-hatred, self-sabotaging patterns of behavior. The connection between these is the healing in-between. One requires the other and you don't have to go it alone.

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.

Is life becoming increasingly unmanageable, leaving you feeling empty, or as if you’re just going through the motions? Do you find yourself using substances to cope with difficult emotions or stressors? The ups and downs that come with the human experience can often be difficult to navigate, especially when we feel as though we have to face these challenges alone. I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone in what you are going through. I believe that there is always hope, even in life’s darkest moments.

My primary therapeutic focus is those who have experienced addiction, trauma, grief, PTSD, and suffer from dual diagnosis. I also enjoy working with neurodivergent disorders, anxiety, OCD, and LGBTQ+ populations. Please see full list of expertise below!

Sometimes we all feel a little bit broken, we can get so caught up in what's going wrong or what's not working. Sometimes life get's hard, too much stress at home or work, relationship issues, grief and loss, addiction, depression, anxiety or feeling like we have just lost our way. No matter what is going on, you have taken that first step and you have come to the right place.

Allyson is a Licensed Clinical Social worker and a Registered Dual Diagnosis Professional with over 14 years of experience. As a graduate of University of Illinois specializing in mental health her work experience includes hospital and outpatient settings. Allyson is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach for each client.

The basis of an ideal client in my lens does not have a select issue. Everyone has their own life challenges and emotional weight they carry with them. In the end, what I want for my clients is a common goal to be the best version of themselves they can be while being open-minded in facing tasks related to that goal. Whether it is an interpersonal relationship problem, anxiety, substance abuse, etc; the ultimate goal is to be better in comparison to yourself yesterday rather than someone else. That common ideal goal is what I aim for with every client I work with through the use of problem-solving strategies and coping mechanisms.

I'm passionate about helping my clients navigate life's journey, be it depression, anxiety, life transitions, grief and loss, strained relationships or employment struggles. I specialize in substance abuse and grief. I work with dual-diagnosis clients and understand the genetic and environmental component of addiction and how individuals may self-medicate for unresolved issues in their lives. In addition, I'm trained as a Grief Counselor and work with clients experiencing grief and loss. I believe in allowing clients a space to grieve.

I am a compassionate trauma-informed therapist that primarily works with individuals struggling with trauma/PTSD, ADHD, neurodivergent issues, relationship issues, chronic pain, physical disability, partner violence, substance abuse, anxiety, stress, depression, cultural identity, cultural/intergenerational conflicts, family conflicts, and other issues. As a daughter of South Asian immigrants, I have always been interested in working with traditionally overlooked communities. I have worked with individuals with dual diagnosis, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and LGBTQIA individuals.

Alexander Bauman is a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) based in Illinois. Holding an MSW from the University of Kentucky and a BSW from Northeastern Illinois University, Alexander has amassed experience working with dual diagnosis substance abuse mental health clients in inpatient settings. His diverse therapeutic expertise includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and more.

As one of the first in-home addiction treatment providers in the country, we are an excellent fit for those struggling with substance abuse and/or mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress who want to remain engaged in positive forces in their lives (work, family) while they recover. Our clients also value the privacy and convenience that our treatment program offers. Of course, there should not be a one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment, as you have unique needs and goals. To that end, our clients have a dedicated team of addiction professionals to provide psychiatry, medication, and counseling services as appropriate, over the course of an entire year. Not only are we able to more precisely tailor your recovery program than other addiction treatment providers, but we also help you learn and practice coping skills in the environment in which your sobriety will be tested.

I have been a licensed psychologist and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Illinois since 2007. I am now licensed as a psychologist in Arizona. I have worked with numerous clients and issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, chronic illness, LGBT issues, and dual diagnosis disorders to name a few. I enjoy working with chronic issues as well as adults going through a major stressor or major life change. My goal is to have you feel understood and to understand yourself more fully and empathically. Therapy is all about healing.

The past few years have been incredibly difficult for everyone, regardless of background or finances. In my practice I strive to create a warm and welcoming space where we can curiously and compassionately explore your concerns. I genuinely believe that you are the expert in your own life, and my goal is to assist you with discovering and deciding how to live your best life. Throughout the pandemic I was specializing in working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, substance use, isolation, interpersonal conflict, and grief.

“Everybody needs somebody…” Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (IL) and a National Certified Counselor (2023). I have just moved to Chicago and am excited to build my caseload at Begin Within Therapy Inc. I earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Holy Cross New Orleans, LA, while simultaneously studying nondirective play therapy at Loyola University New Orleans, LA. I have a background in telehealth, individuals in-person, and group counseling. While serving the city of New Orleans, my clients were primarily middle-schoolers, first responders, and dual-diagnosis chemical dependents.

Derek is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and respected expert in his field. He is also fully trained in EMDR Therapy. In addition to two bachelor degrees, one from Kalamazoo College and the other from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Derek also holds a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Roosevelt University. Derek has worked extensively with people suffering from all types of addictions as well as depression, anxiety and dual diagnosis. He believes in collaborating with his clients and "It all works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it's not the end"

Geri has worked with people who are dealing with Dual Diagnosis: depression, addiction, bipolar disorder. She has over 30 years of experience.

Addiction is an insidious disease, one that takes over a person's life like a toxic friend, leading one to believe relief will be at the next turn, only to find misery and heartache. It controls a person's thought-life, holds the soul hostage, destroys the ability to feel simple emotions, and obliterates families. It can be difficult to reach out due to the shame that has permeated one's beliefs about themselves, and finding someone who understands the depth of this pain and shame can be daunting. But there is HOPE.

Stories have always fascinated me. They have the power to move us emotionally, to educate and instruct, to entertain us, and to cultivate true compassion and empathy through the act of sharing a story with another. They are also a powerful vehicle for how we perceive, interpret, define and live our lives, yet sometimes it can be easy to forget that we can be the authors of our story, not just a character proceeding along some previously determined narrative.

Foresight helps people that are living with complex mental health issues, including comorbidities including mental health and substance use diagnoses. Our ideal participant is someone who is willing to work with our professionals to set and work towards self-fulfilling goals