Transgender Therapists in Chicago, IL
Lauren Mulligan
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, R-DMT, CYT
Verified Verified
Chicago, IL 60613
I believe my role as a therapist is to help you hold and find meaning in your pain, and delight with you in what is playful and pleasureful in your life. My approach is warm, direct, and collaborative. I am interested in creating a genuine, transparent and accountable relationship with you. My hope is that within our relationship we can identify and interrupt harmful patterns that may emerge in your relationships and reinforce patterns that bring you joy and connection. Therapy is inherently political, and I aim to engage with my clients in ways that are liberatory, anti-racist and affirming of their intersecting identities.
I believe my role as a therapist is to help you hold and find meaning in your pain, and delight with you in what is playful and pleasureful in your life. My approach is warm, direct, and collaborative. I am interested in creating a genuine, transparent and accountable relationship with you. My hope is that within our relationship we can identify and interrupt harmful patterns that may emerge in your relationships and reinforce patterns that bring you joy and connection. Therapy is inherently political, and I aim to engage with my clients in ways that are liberatory, anti-racist and affirming of their intersecting identities.
Erin Debono
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MS, ALMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Chicago, IL 60604
Our relationship with ourselves is constantly evolving; a reality that is simultaneously wonderful & deeply challenging. This has an impact on our ability to engage in our lives, communities, & relationships. The journey of self-discovery can feel daunting- my approach to therapy offers a starting point. Through a balance of insight & mindfulness, I invite clients to shift their point of view. I value clients' unique perspective and I believe there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy. Together, with all our nuances & imperfections, we can co-create a therapeutic relationship that feels safe & impactful.
Our relationship with ourselves is constantly evolving; a reality that is simultaneously wonderful & deeply challenging. This has an impact on our ability to engage in our lives, communities, & relationships. The journey of self-discovery can feel daunting- my approach to therapy offers a starting point. Through a balance of insight & mindfulness, I invite clients to shift their point of view. I value clients' unique perspective and I believe there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to therapy. Together, with all our nuances & imperfections, we can co-create a therapeutic relationship that feels safe & impactful.
Allison Sheade is a feminist psychodynamic, relational, trauma-focused LCPC in Chicago. Her style is warm, empathic, collaborative, and direct. Allison has an active style, and clients enjoy knowing that she will offer insights, interpretations, and feedback that are effective, helpful, and supportive. Allison has worked in community mental health, at the Women's Center at Northwestern University, and in outpatient settings. Allison works with diverse populations and operates from a multicultural perspective, valuing differences of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender and sexuality (+ poly & kink), ableness, and world-view.
Allison Sheade is a feminist psychodynamic, relational, trauma-focused LCPC in Chicago. Her style is warm, empathic, collaborative, and direct. Allison has an active style, and clients enjoy knowing that she will offer insights, interpretations, and feedback that are effective, helpful, and supportive. Allison has worked in community mental health, at the Women's Center at Northwestern University, and in outpatient settings. Allison works with diverse populations and operates from a multicultural perspective, valuing differences of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender and sexuality (+ poly & kink), ableness, and world-view.
Lisa Abu-Bakr
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
Chicago, IL 60647 (Online Only)
Welcome to the start of recovery and road to healing! Together we can continue creating the life you seek, navigate the questions you have, find the answers you want, and move through your concerns to manifest the life you want to live. I specialize in helping people with OCD, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I also support folks with multicultural identities and anyone who wants to work on maintaining and building relationships. No topic is off the table but rather invited in for the discussion!
Welcome to the start of recovery and road to healing! Together we can continue creating the life you seek, navigate the questions you have, find the answers you want, and move through your concerns to manifest the life you want to live. I specialize in helping people with OCD, anxiety, depression, and trauma. I also support folks with multicultural identities and anyone who wants to work on maintaining and building relationships. No topic is off the table but rather invited in for the discussion!
Chicago Center for Psychotherapy, PLLC
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Chicago, IL 60613
At CCP, our therapists bring curiosity, lived experience, extensive training, and our own authentic selves to each session. We work collaboratively with our clients to tailor our approach using different modalities such as DBT, IFS, Imago, EMDR and relational psychotherapy, ensuring you'll find comfort, connection, and the courage to live out your truth. Picture a space where every part of you is celebrated, not just tolerated. With self-knowledge and radical acceptance as our guides, we'll help you dive deep, strip away the fear and doubt, and transform your battles into badges of strength and self-awareness.
At CCP, our therapists bring curiosity, lived experience, extensive training, and our own authentic selves to each session. We work collaboratively with our clients to tailor our approach using different modalities such as DBT, IFS, Imago, EMDR and relational psychotherapy, ensuring you'll find comfort, connection, and the courage to live out your truth. Picture a space where every part of you is celebrated, not just tolerated. With self-knowledge and radical acceptance as our guides, we'll help you dive deep, strip away the fear and doubt, and transform your battles into badges of strength and self-awareness.
We sometimes find ourselves struggling in life. Psychotherapy can be a great place to examine where we are, how we got there, and where we want to go from here. I work collaboratively with clients to explore these questions with empathy, curiosity, and care. I am passionate about supporting clients in being their true, authentic selves, and helping them to create deeper connections with the people in their lives. I value the diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences that each client brings. I aim to meet clients where they are at to uncover the right goals for them.
We sometimes find ourselves struggling in life. Psychotherapy can be a great place to examine where we are, how we got there, and where we want to go from here. I work collaboratively with clients to explore these questions with empathy, curiosity, and care. I am passionate about supporting clients in being their true, authentic selves, and helping them to create deeper connections with the people in their lives. I value the diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences that each client brings. I aim to meet clients where they are at to uncover the right goals for them.
Heads Held High Counseling
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LICSW, LMHC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Chicago, IL 60604 (Online Only)
Are you a queer or trans person who struggles to find a therapist who understands you? Do you find that you often have to educate therapists, who are allies, but don't quite have the cultural understanding of someone who's a part of the community themselves? We are here to help.
Are you a queer or trans person who struggles to find a therapist who understands you? Do you find that you often have to educate therapists, who are allies, but don't quite have the cultural understanding of someone who's a part of the community themselves? We are here to help.
Garrett R. Pluhar-Schaeffer
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Chicago, IL 60657
We all are in relationships with others, and these relationships affect and change who we are. I look forward to exploring these relationships, past and present, and how they have shaped you. I’m interested in helping my patients gain insight into their relational patterns. I utilize a psychoanalytic theories in psychotherapy. I have received a certificate from the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute in child psychoanalytic psychotherapy where I am also a candidate in the psychoanalytic education program.
We all are in relationships with others, and these relationships affect and change who we are. I look forward to exploring these relationships, past and present, and how they have shaped you. I’m interested in helping my patients gain insight into their relational patterns. I utilize a psychoanalytic theories in psychotherapy. I have received a certificate from the Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute in child psychoanalytic psychotherapy where I am also a candidate in the psychoanalytic education program.
Lorilei Baker
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LISW, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Chicago, IL 60613
I am an attachment and trauma-informed therapist. Our first priority will be to establish trust, mutual respect, consistency, and predictability so that you begin to feel safe. We will help you discover your strengths and will create goals to help you become your "best self". I prefer to utilize a variety of approaches in therapy, including teaching about attachment, neuroscience, mindfulness, coping skills, and how the body and brain work together to process our emotions. Note: Taking clients in Illinois only. Iowa clients will be referred to clinicians within our agency- www.inclusiveinsight.net.
I am an attachment and trauma-informed therapist. Our first priority will be to establish trust, mutual respect, consistency, and predictability so that you begin to feel safe. We will help you discover your strengths and will create goals to help you become your "best self". I prefer to utilize a variety of approaches in therapy, including teaching about attachment, neuroscience, mindfulness, coping skills, and how the body and brain work together to process our emotions. Note: Taking clients in Illinois only. Iowa clients will be referred to clinicians within our agency- www.inclusiveinsight.net.
You deserve a balanced, happy and successful life. Whether you are questioning what to do, who you are, struggling to find motivation/strength, or just not sure how to attain what you want, there is a safe & non-judgmental space for you. You will learn how to become the "you" that you have always wanted to be. Through empowering work, you will challenge thoughts and uncover negative and sabotaging patterns to help overcome barriers.
You deserve a balanced, happy and successful life. Whether you are questioning what to do, who you are, struggling to find motivation/strength, or just not sure how to attain what you want, there is a safe & non-judgmental space for you. You will learn how to become the "you" that you have always wanted to be. Through empowering work, you will challenge thoughts and uncover negative and sabotaging patterns to help overcome barriers.
Lee Jacobs Riggs
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC-PA, LCPC-IL
Verified Verified
Chicago, IL 60601 (Online Only)
In my individual, couples, and family work, values of collaboration, mutuality, and connection guide my practice. I partner with clients to identify their own unique strengths that can be used as resources to foster growth and change. I am attentive to the role of early family experiences, cultural values, oppression, and stigma in shaping client's experiences. Particularly when addressing painful or traumatic areas, I attend to clients' emotional safety using mindfulness and body awareness. I believe that healing happens in the context of honest relationships and invite my clients to engage in open dialog about our work together.
In my individual, couples, and family work, values of collaboration, mutuality, and connection guide my practice. I partner with clients to identify their own unique strengths that can be used as resources to foster growth and change. I am attentive to the role of early family experiences, cultural values, oppression, and stigma in shaping client's experiences. Particularly when addressing painful or traumatic areas, I attend to clients' emotional safety using mindfulness and body awareness. I believe that healing happens in the context of honest relationships and invite my clients to engage in open dialog about our work together.
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I’m here to help. We all experience stress, loss and pain in so many ways. But we are resilient and, with help, can overcome and enjoy life again. Using a trauma informed and culturally informed focus, I use a combination of compassionate talk therapy, mindfulness and body-based tools as your partner to wellness. In my 20+ years as a clinical psychologist I have been privileged to work with folks from all walks of life especially those in marginalized groups. If you need to sort things out in a safe place, you’ve come to the right place.
I’m here to help. We all experience stress, loss and pain in so many ways. But we are resilient and, with help, can overcome and enjoy life again. Using a trauma informed and culturally informed focus, I use a combination of compassionate talk therapy, mindfulness and body-based tools as your partner to wellness. In my 20+ years as a clinical psychologist I have been privileged to work with folks from all walks of life especially those in marginalized groups. If you need to sort things out in a safe place, you’ve come to the right place.
Jx Heithmar
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LICSW, TF-CBT
Verified Verified
Chicago, IL 60611 (Online Only)
I specialize in working with the LGBTQ community. I work with folks around trauma healing, gender and sexual identity exploration, developing healthy conflict and attachment styles (poly and kink affirming,) combating addiction, disability/chronic illness and building sincere connection to self and others. I center my practice around queer theory, feminist theory and critical race theory. I aim to recognize any power dynamic in a therapeutic alliance and work towards cultivating a space that is egalitarian. Finding balance and stability through struggle is a primary focus of mine in my practice.
I specialize in working with the LGBTQ community. I work with folks around trauma healing, gender and sexual identity exploration, developing healthy conflict and attachment styles (poly and kink affirming,) combating addiction, disability/chronic illness and building sincere connection to self and others. I center my practice around queer theory, feminist theory and critical race theory. I aim to recognize any power dynamic in a therapeutic alliance and work towards cultivating a space that is egalitarian. Finding balance and stability through struggle is a primary focus of mine in my practice.
Dixon Irene
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Chicago, IL 60657
Waitlist for new clients
I'm a transsexual and gender nonconforming mental health professional who provides support, guidance, and a space to interrogate deeper questions. I prefer to do therapy that emphasizes that you are the expert of your life; I’m not interested in pushing you to believe what I say or even believe that I have advice for you to follow. I want our therapeutic relationship to be a place where you are supported in challenges, not pressured; I’m willing to bet you have plenty of pressure in the rest of your life. I'm available for teletherapy in NY as well as in person and teletherapy in Illinois.
I'm a transsexual and gender nonconforming mental health professional who provides support, guidance, and a space to interrogate deeper questions. I prefer to do therapy that emphasizes that you are the expert of your life; I’m not interested in pushing you to believe what I say or even believe that I have advice for you to follow. I want our therapeutic relationship to be a place where you are supported in challenges, not pressured; I’m willing to bet you have plenty of pressure in the rest of your life. I'm available for teletherapy in NY as well as in person and teletherapy in Illinois.
In so many areas of our lives, finding affirming care can be a difficult and exhausting process. For those of us who exist outside of normative understandings of gender, race, sexuality, and other identities, feeling fully seen and held in all of our multifaceted and interconnected expressions of self is a rare experience. As an individual, relationship, and sex therapist I strive to create a space where you can show up as your whole complex self. I focus on challenging narratives of what it means to be successful, worthy, valuable, and desirable and on making room for what feels good and true for you.
In so many areas of our lives, finding affirming care can be a difficult and exhausting process. For those of us who exist outside of normative understandings of gender, race, sexuality, and other identities, feeling fully seen and held in all of our multifaceted and interconnected expressions of self is a rare experience. As an individual, relationship, and sex therapist I strive to create a space where you can show up as your whole complex self. I focus on challenging narratives of what it means to be successful, worthy, valuable, and desirable and on making room for what feels good and true for you.
Avi Bowie
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, LCSW
Verified Verified
Chicago, IL 60647 (Online Only)
I approach my work through an integration of trauma-responsive, anti-oppressive, and mindfulness-based practices and lenses. I view therapy as a collaborative process where we work together to build trust and grow insight to support you in developing a deeper understanding of your relationship to yourself, to others, and to the world around you. I consider individuals to be the experts of their experience and see my role in the therapeutic relationship as one of creating a space that is welcoming, affirming, reflective, non-judgmental, curious, and compassionate. I work with both teenagers and adults in individual therapy.
I approach my work through an integration of trauma-responsive, anti-oppressive, and mindfulness-based practices and lenses. I view therapy as a collaborative process where we work together to build trust and grow insight to support you in developing a deeper understanding of your relationship to yourself, to others, and to the world around you. I consider individuals to be the experts of their experience and see my role in the therapeutic relationship as one of creating a space that is welcoming, affirming, reflective, non-judgmental, curious, and compassionate. I work with both teenagers and adults in individual therapy.
You are a resilient human who has a lot of love for yourself! Here you are, caring for yourself by seeking out therapy. It takes strength and honesty to ask for help. It may be hard to always treat yourself like you love yourself because you may have thoughts that are telling you otherwise. Perhaps there are others in your life that don’t make you feel like you are lovable, valid, and worthy of care (which you are!). Or the weight of the oppressive forces of our society is becoming too heavy for you to hold your head up high on your own. Whatever brought you here, welcome!
You are a resilient human who has a lot of love for yourself! Here you are, caring for yourself by seeking out therapy. It takes strength and honesty to ask for help. It may be hard to always treat yourself like you love yourself because you may have thoughts that are telling you otherwise. Perhaps there are others in your life that don’t make you feel like you are lovable, valid, and worthy of care (which you are!). Or the weight of the oppressive forces of our society is becoming too heavy for you to hold your head up high on your own. Whatever brought you here, welcome!
Mar is a clinical intern and graduate student at University of Chicago. As a queer, disabled, fat person, they are invested in recognizing and supporting all the complex facets of each of their clients. Mar is most interested in offering support to QTBIPOC individuals, disabled individuals, folks living with a chronic illness, and people in non-traditional relationships. Æ is also interested in supporting anyone questioning their identities and aiming to understand how their intersecting identities influence one another.
Mar is a clinical intern and graduate student at University of Chicago. As a queer, disabled, fat person, they are invested in recognizing and supporting all the complex facets of each of their clients. Mar is most interested in offering support to QTBIPOC individuals, disabled individuals, folks living with a chronic illness, and people in non-traditional relationships. Æ is also interested in supporting anyone questioning their identities and aiming to understand how their intersecting identities influence one another.
I specialize in working with those who've experienced religious trauma and childhood or developmental trauma. I believe in the power of integration- that ALL parts of you deserve love and compassion. Together, we will address feelings, needs, beliefs, and the body's own wisdom, while also seeing issues in the context of the systems in which you exist. I work best with those wanting to be challenged to dig deeper and understand their interior worlds, and use an overall psychodynamic therapy approach. I also work with queer couples in couple's therapy. - I'm currently accepting LGBTQ+ therapy group clients, please email to inquire! -
I specialize in working with those who've experienced religious trauma and childhood or developmental trauma. I believe in the power of integration- that ALL parts of you deserve love and compassion. Together, we will address feelings, needs, beliefs, and the body's own wisdom, while also seeing issues in the context of the systems in which you exist. I work best with those wanting to be challenged to dig deeper and understand their interior worlds, and use an overall psychodynamic therapy approach. I also work with queer couples in couple's therapy. - I'm currently accepting LGBTQ+ therapy group clients, please email to inquire! -
Taking the first step on your mental health journey can feel daunting - that's why I strive to make it as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Whether we're meeting online or face-to-face, my aim is to create an environment where you can truly be yourself. Therapy shouldn't feel like a formal interrogation. I strive to bring warmth and ease into our sessions, fostering a conversational atmosphere where you don't have to watch your words. Being authentic is key to our work together, and I encourage clients to express themselves freely, expletives and all.
Taking the first step on your mental health journey can feel daunting - that's why I strive to make it as comfortable and welcoming as possible. Whether we're meeting online or face-to-face, my aim is to create an environment where you can truly be yourself. Therapy shouldn't feel like a formal interrogation. I strive to bring warmth and ease into our sessions, fostering a conversational atmosphere where you don't have to watch your words. Being authentic is key to our work together, and I encourage clients to express themselves freely, expletives and all.
See more therapy options for Chicago
Nearby Transgender Therapists Searches for Chicago
- Berwyn
- Brookfield
- Cicero
- Elmwood Park
- Forest Park
- Lakeview
- Lincoln Park
- Lincolnwood
- Norridge
- Oak Park
- River Forest
- Riverside