Emotionally Focused Therapists in Chicago, IL

Having practiced psychotherapy and counseling for the past 20 years, I work to form an empathic relationship with clients and form a collaborative understanding of the difficulties that brought them to therapy, and how to best solve them. The goal is to find more satisfying relationships and fulfilling ways of being in the world. I work primarily from an Emotion-focused therapy (EFT) framework, although I have been trained in a variety of different psychotherapeutic methods. EFT is an empirically-supported approach that is flexible in that it allows the integration of other methods and techniques when necessary.

I identify as a Black, queer therapist and use feminine and non-binary pronouns. I have 7 years of experience working with young adults, adults, and older adults for individual and couple’s therapy. I also have experience working with undergraduate and graduate students. Some of my specialty areas are anxiety, depression, complex trauma (racial, sexual, medical, developmental/childhood, intergenerational, and religious), life transitions, work stress, ADHD, postpartum and perinatal concerns, sexual functioning, kink/BDSM/poly, interpersonal relationships, grief, LGBTQIA+, and substance use.

I help individuals and couples with relationship conflict, sexual concerns, and adjustment to life transitions. Clients often come to therapy with some common issues: feeling disconnected in their relationship, having the same argument on repeat, unsatisfying sex, discomfort or awkwardness talking about sex and intimacy, mismatched desire, painful intercourse, wondering "is this normal?" and more. With advanced training in relationship and sex therapy, I’ll help you to identify your needs and goals, build skills and knowledge, and improve connection, trust, empathy, and intimacy in your life and relationships.

My population of focus is young adults -especially women - who are experiencing relational conflict, family discord, childhood or more recent trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and lifestyle transitions. I also assist individuals who wish to explore LGBTQIA+ identities and gender affirming care.

Specializing in EMDR, Grief, and Perinatal Mental Health. Let's Navigate the Depths Together. As a bilingual (spanish) therapist I am here to support adults and couples navigating through life's toughest challenges. Whether you're battling feelings of depression, anxiety, or facing difficult transitions, know that you're not alone. Together, we'll equip you with the tools to overcome these obstacles and rediscover joy. Life's journey can be overwhelming, but with compassionate guidance, healing is possible. Let's embark on this journey together.

We all deserve a safe space to be our authentic selves, where we can find support during the most intimate and vulnerable moments. I view our therapeutic relationship as a partnership and am here to work with you and honor your unique experience. As we work together, I aim to foster a judgment-free, safe space and empower you with the tools and skills to help you thrive. There is no problem too big or too small, and my role is to connect you with the answers, break relational patterns, and reacquaint you with your most authentic self.

Samantha is a compassionate and sex-positive therapist dedicated to nurturing holistic well-being. With a deep-seated belief in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, Samantha approaches therapy with both couples and individuals with a comprehensive perspective. She understands that true completeness encompasses various aspects of an individual's life to foster healing and growth.

I specialize in identity development & life transition work, harm reduction for individuals with substance use issues, relationship issues, mood & anxiety challenges, and supporting individuals who have endured trauma. I am a kink and poly aware therapist who enjoys working with relationships. I relying on an Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) lens when working with relationship struggles. I am dedicated to serving Chicagoland’s LGBTQIA+ community and have a deep background in advocacy and direct service. I am especially dedicated to supporting TGNC individuals in the unique aspects of their journeys.

Having difficulty communicating effectively - We Can Help Having the same fight, over and over again - We Can Help. If you're looking for a safe space to repair, restore and revitalize your relationship - We Can HELP! In sessions you'll practice new relationship skills, gain a greater sense of self-acceptance and self-awareness as you begin to eliminate communication patterns interfering with trust and intimacy. Together we explore the roadblocks in your relationship while strengthening a path toward greater intimacy, communication and relationship satisfaction.

You might look for individual therapy because you experience obstacles that happen again and again; you are trying to figure out who you are and what you want in life. You might be looking for couples therapy because you feel disconnected from your partner or have difficulty communicating; you fight or have difficulty with being intimate. You might be looking for family therapy because you don’t know how to connect with your kids; there is conflict in your family and you don’t know how to resolve it. You might be a person of color, immigrant or second generation and struggle with issues mentioned above.

I view therapy as an opportunity for the exploration of oneself, one's relationships, and one's experiences in the world. I will provide you with an environment dedicated to increasing your understanding of yourself and your situation, and we will work together toward your development of new skills to accomplish your goals.

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.

If you're here, you're probably looking for a change. Whether it's in your relationships, patterns, thoughts, feelings, or something else that's important to you. Life is full of challenges, but I firmly believe that people have fundamental inner-strengths that can help them cope. As a therapist, I warmly accept my clients as they are, and work alongside them to explore who they would like to become. I believe in the power of human connection, and strive to use that connection to help empower my clients to access their strengths; to ultimately bring about meaningful change, healing, growth, and understanding.

I am a relational, systemic therapist who works with individual adults and couples. I believe most clients seek therapy because their approach to improving their lives is not working. They feel stuck and without direction. I help individuals and couples develop new strategies to improve their relationships, cope with significant pain and loss, and live more fulfilled and satisfying lives. My approach is empathetic, honest, interactive, and direct. I value client insight and recognize the importance of a trusting and open therapeutic relationship to bring about healing.

I am passionate in working with relational issues, either when helping individuals or couples and families. I believe that our relationships have an essential impact on our well-being. I am yet to hear a client or a friend or a family member talk about distress that is not somehow associated to a relational issue... Aren't we all longing to belong and to find safety and security in the arms of our loved ones (partners, parents or very dear friends that are like family)? And yet, these are precisely the people that can hurt us the most.

Knowing what you want for yourself and knowing how to attain is not always as clear as it may seem. Especially if experiencing difficult symptoms of mental health, then seeking out support from a professional can be invaluable to developing a higher quality of life. With our day to days full of work, school, and distractions, there may not be opportunity to reflect and evaluate what is needed, however, taking time for yourself to process and speak can be beneficial to bringing out clearity in the path ahead.

Mediocracy is not enough when it comes to providing care for those with mental health disorders and relationship challenges. I believe in the importance of every person having access to quality mental health care regardless of their background. I believe that everyone has the capacity to grow and be resilient with the proper support, process, and support. Helping to guide my clients through their personal life journey with confidence and courage is my ultimate goal.

I bring a down-to-earth, approachable presence to therapy and place the utmost importance on fostering a warm and friendly, yet professional relationship with my clients. It is from that foundation of a strong therapeutic rapport that I work with my clients to explore pathways towards healing and experiencing a happier, more fulfilling life.

I work from a client-centered lens and am passionate about working with individuals and relationships navigating: anxiety, depression, acute and complex trauma, relationship conflict and disconnection, communication issues, trust repair, sex and intimacy issues, identity exploration, unaddressed family of origin attachment wounds, inner child healing, and challenges with self-esteem and self-confidence. I attend to being a culturally competent therapist that considers the contexts and identities of my clients, and foster a therapeutic space that is identity-affirming, sex-positive, anti-racist, and polyamorous- and kink-friendly.