Strength-Based Therapists in Chicago, IL

At Gradations Studio - Art, Therapy and Wellness, I offer art therapy and talk therapy to individuals seeking a supportive and creative space to heal. I work with individuals of all ages and stages of life who are experiencing anxiety, depression, loss/grief, trauma, life transitions and challenges. In addition to art therapy and talk therapy, I work to incorporate a variety of modalities and coping strategies to address your unique needs.

Hello, I am a licensed clinical professional counselor with over ten years of experience in the mental health field. I have worked with a wide range of clients in various settings. I focus on issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, women's issues, and life transitions. I use multiple modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Strength-Based, Trauma Focused, Person-Centered, and Mindfulness-Based (MBCT). I focus on my client's goals, working on what they want to get out of therapy and what direction they want their life to take.

I am a licensed social worker with over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents and families. In addition to office-based settings, I have worked in intensive in-home treatment and as a school counselor. Many years of my career were spent as a clinical consultant for a research-based, family-focused treatment model, Multisystemic Therapy (MST). Through my work, I have gained advanced knowledge in family and couples therapy, behavioral modification, and cognitive behavioral therapy. My approach is strength-based and solution-focused. I believe that all individuals have assets that can be leveraged to foster change, and that my role is to support clients in living a full and rewarding life. In my approach with children and adolescents, I view parents/caregivers as the experts on their children, and essential partners in ensuring successful treatment. Understanding family dynamics and promoting healthier patterns are special areas of interest, and utilized in my therapeutic approach. I commend you for taking the first step in researching a therapist for yourself or loved one!

Do you want to learn about yourself in a nonjudgemental environment to better navigate life and improve relationships? I specialize in working with adolescents and adults of all ages. We will work together on your therapy goals and individualize your treatment. I have expertise in ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, interpersonal struggles, life transitions, social skills, and trauma. I am a LGBTQ+ and cultural ally, and will help you uncover barriers that are in your way. I also have expertise in navigating school advocacy issues such as obtaining 504 plans and special education support / Individualized Education Plans.

Have you experienced a devastating loss? Do you feel stuck and overwhelmed with feelings of sadness or anxiety? Is your self-esteem at an all time low? If you answered YES to any of these questions, know that you are not alone. Life happens to all of us, and we all need support. Do not continue to struggle in silence. I can help.

I am a licensed professional clinical psychotherapist with over a decade of experience working with youth ages 0-18. I also specialize in early infant-parent psychotherapy, childhood development, parent-child relationships, parental mental health, and family wellness. I have has also received additional specialized training in trauma-informed care and multicultural psychology which are vital to youth wellness!

I believe the meaning we create from our experiences and environment plays a significant role in shaping how we navigate, adapt, and survive the world. My priority is that we cultivate a collaborative non-judgmental therapeutic relationship that centers on safety, positive regard, genuineness, and openness. Within this space, my clients will be able to freely explore their vulnerabilities, express distressful emotions (pain, grief, anger, etc.), make greater meaning out of their experiences, and redefine past experiences.

By empowering clients to rewrite their own narratives, I encourage them to take charge of their life stories and create the changes they want to see. Using a collaborative, individualized approach, I strive to promote a warm, supportive, growth-oriented therapeutic environment while celebrating multicultural diversity and intersecting identities. I believe that therapy can aid individuals in achieving a greater sense of inner harmony and healing by providing guidance, insight, and understanding. In session, I aim to create a safe space for clients to explore areas of stress in their lives which do not align with their ideal self.

Possibly one of the most overlooked yet effective approaches to taking care of yourself is the simple act of listening–listening to yourself, listening to your body, and having someone you trust listening to you. Listening is where I like to start – to ensure that before anything else, I take the time to understand who you are. Each individual takes a unique path and one of my goals is to embrace that in a collaborative and open treatment experience. I take a nonjudgmental and empowering approach to ensure that my clients are strengthening their sense of self while acknowledging the past and present challenges.

Struggling to communicate with a loved one? Having trouble sleeping? Can’t seem to find the motivation to complete daily tasks? Various challenges in life can lead us to feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or BOTH. Therapy can provide a safe space to process, cope, and heal. In life, we may struggle to see how our environments, upbringing, and relationships impact our mental health. While other times, we may lack the appropriate self-tools to change our own dynamics. Therapy empowers us to be more self-aware and protective of our mental wellness.

In my private practice, I offer coping strategies to help you regulate emotions, (re)establish trust and a non- anxious presence, resolve conflicts and unmet needs, and ultimately create safety for healthy relationships. I work largely with couples with conflict in addition to my work with individuals and families navigating life stressors and transitions. I also offer parent coaching services related to specific conflicts. My approach for all my clients is systemic, integrative, attachment-influenced, collaborative, supportive, non-judgmental, and strength based.

Through therapy, I assist individuals, and families to develop needed skills and change patterns of behaviors to make the growth process easier. With a client-centered approach, we will develop goals together to help you overcome life’s hurdles. With empathy and without judgment, I will assist you with reaching these goals from a strengths-based perspective. As I believe we never stop growing and learning throughout our lives, I feel honored and privileged to help clients find their inner strength to achieve their goals. As I am aware that each client is unique with differing needs, I am experienced in a variety of techniques.

I am a trauma informed, relational, insight-oriented psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of depression, anxiety and trauma. I am committed to providing individuals and couples with a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can begin to deepen your understanding of how you relate to yourself and others, and how patterns and behaviors act as barriers to living the life you would most like to live.

I am a therapist who tends to be more direct in sessions. I am an active participant in my sessions, which can be seen through challenging my clients, helping them learn new tools, and actively participating in the conversation through questions and feedback. I love to work with both couples and individuals. Whether you are going through a life transition, dealing with anxiety, job dissatisfaction, or relationship struggles, I work through a strength-based approach and hope to empower my clients to help them make a change in their lives.

I have a deep understanding of various therapeutic modalities, including CBT, DBT, & evidence-based interventions. Along with my skills I use warmth, professionalism, humor, and expertise into my practice. I provide unconditional acceptance as clients share their story with me. I provide each client with individualized treatment plans to best support their needs while considering the complexity of their individual identity. I work to create a collaborative environment from a strength-based approach to help identify goals rooted in client’s values and continue to develop areas of focus as they make progress throughout our sessions.

Feeling stuck, anxious, or unsure how to make positive changes in your life? I'm a queer, nonbinary therapist focused on intersectionality and identity. I empower individuals, especially LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and those navigating gender/sexuality, using a client-centered, strength-based approach. My eclectic modalities include acceptance, mindfulness, somatic, and harm-reduction methods. I bring a relational, compassionate, and humorous approach. Each person is an expert in their own lived experience. Let's create a therapeutic experience that leaves you centered, heard, and fulfilled.

I am an experienced licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing a client-centered strength-based approach, incorporating a focus on mindfulness to promote mental well-being and strength of Self. This approach encourages a collaborative therapeutic relationship to facilitate healing and growth. Through my work as a therapist, I am reminded daily of the resilient nature of the human spirit. From experiences with disappointment to unimaginable trauma, people find the courage to ask for help and to move forward.

My purpose is to provide therapeutic healing to BIPOC communities. The focus is on overcoming traumatic life experiences that have impeded on our pursuit to internal joy and happiness. I specialize in cognitive behavioral therapy, using person-centered and strength-based approaches, along with motivational interviewing to help clients navigate their healing journey. With therapy, one can be healed and liberated from past traumas and difficult life experiences that have prevented the possibility of feeling one’s best self. By healing the mind, we can also heal the body and spirit allowing us to attain total wellness and elevation.

Greetings and thank you so much for considering me as your mental health practitioner! It can be hard to be brave in our world, and that includes seeking help from others. I like to look at counseling sessions as a gift of time for yourself. Our time together would be about you and your needs, and figuring out ways to heal or get there. I look forward to creating a trust-filled, healthy relationship to assist you on yourself. At times, therapy sessions may just be a backboard for you to comfortably release stress or inner thoughts. My approach in therapy strives to be strength-based, empowering, grounding and calming.