Transgender Therapists in Chicago, IL

I help clients connect to their deeper nature and inner wisdom through compassionate self-exploration. As a queer-identified therapist, I work to offer an affirming space that holds my clients’ varied and marginalized identities, experiences in the world, and their own personal strengths and struggles. My focus is working with queer and trans relationships and individuals, as well as folks in the non-monogamy and kink communities. I work collaboratively with clients to examine trans-generational patterns, heal the effects of past trauma, create more meaningful relationships, and enrich their relationships to themselves.

Hi, I am Dr. Valerie Velarde, and I'm happy you've chosen psychotherapy as a possible tool in your healing arsenal. I am passionate about guiding individuals as they uncover and reconnect to their inherent power. Do you have aspects of yourself that you struggle to find reflected in your communities or culture? Are you interested in fostering deeper self-awareness but struggle with implementing lifestyle changes? I work with individuals who are impacted by societal injustice, neurodivergence, anxiety or other mood disturbances, and people pleasing who want greater freedom and joy for themselves and our world.

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 believe that all healing happens within connection. All personal healing, in turn heals the collective. You are the creator of your own life. We will move down a path of self-actualization and change, utilizing your personal strengths to guide us. I am passionate about facilitating creative, client-centered and culturally-centered therapy. You are the expert on your life, and I will support you in transformative self-reflection and embodiment. When it comes to PTSD and trauma, I use somatic practices, EMDR Flash Technique, art therapy and attachment theory.

Existential dread? Lacking motivation? Struggling to find purpose? ADHD? Autism? C-PTSD? Self harm? Suicidal ideations? Complicated childhood? People pleaser? Avoidant of conflict? Co-dependency? Do you have someone with Narcissistic traits in your life? Low self esteem or self worth? History of hospitalizations? If some of these resonate with you, then we may be a fit.

As a relational therapist, I focus on supporting and witnessing clients in finding healing, connection, conflict resolution, and repair to ultimately build a life and relationships that honor their values and imagination. Therapy is an opportunity for liberation from dominant social narratives that don’t work for us as individuals or in our relationships, and I recognize the intergenerational and ongoing trauma of struggling against those dominant narratives. All relationships can benefit from this lens – whether they're romantic, platonic, brand new, long-term, with others, or with parts of yourself.

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey toward a more meaningful and fulfilling life? Life has a way of presenting us with unexpected hurdles such as trauma, grief, and the complexities of relationships and identity. In the midst of it all, you deserve a safe and non-judgmental space where you can truly be yourself. That's where I come in. I'm here to provide you with the support and guidance you need to embrace your true self and navigate through life's challenges. Together, let's kick-start this journey toward greater meaning and fulfillment.

Highly productive psychotherapy can take many forms, including targeted, evidence-based interventions as well as more dynamic, long-term approaches. I tend to use a mix of present-centered skills, specific techniques, open dialogue, collaboration, and insight-building to identify and disrupt problematic cycles that are acting as barriers to living a healthy, thriving, values-driven life. What's most important is that we find an approach that helps you safely explore new ways of approaching your life and relating to your sense of self, others, and the world.

I work with folks who are seeking a stronger sense of self-trust, ease, and ability to be connected and present in their life, hobbies, and relationships. Whether you are seeking to understand yourself, develop tools for managing stress, or align decisions with your values, you don't have to do it alone. Maybe you understand some of your patterns and past hurts, but still feel frustrated with what to do about them. Maybe life is changing and you need stability and a listening ear. I believe that self-compassion and acceptance paired with supportive relationships creates a more fulfilling life (with a little humor along the way)!

Jordan is LGBTQ-affirming and has experience working with individuals from a variety of cultural and spiritual backgrounds. Her clinical interests include individual, partner, and family therapy; treatment-resistant depression; sexual and gender identity development; trauma recovery; relief from codependency; immigration; and chronic illness resilience. Utilizing a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach to therapy, Jordan invites clients to show-up and be seen as their full selves, worthy and capable of care.

I've seen, heard and personally experienced the difficulty of finding a therapist when you hold marginalized identities. It's an honor for me to be able to provide a unique space for folks like us! I believe that understanding how our culture, gender, society, family, etc. inform our identities allows people to ditch the concepts or social expectations that don’t fit and pursue the ones that feel truly authentic. Let's show up as we are and get some solid work done!

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.

My priority is helping clients understand both their areas of strength and aspects where they have room to grow, and help them to develop their innate capacities to find more calm and fulfillment in their lives. I have a great respect and curiosity for how people's early family experiences affect how they move through the world, as well as how those patterns transcend generations. Book with me now by clicking on my website!

Life. Have you done it before? Me either! As first timers, it is no surprise that we encounter challenges, experience hang-ups, and may occasionally find ourselves questioning which way the world is spinning. It’s okay. We’re new at this and we don’t have to have all of the answers. What I do know is that the ups, downs, and everything in between, are part of the human experience. I believe that therapy is a great place to navigate the questions that come with being human and gain insight to a better self-understanding.

You are good. Rarely do folks act in ways that don't make sense to them. Maybe you are experiencing frustration in relationships. Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed by sadness, fears, or exhaustion. You are human. In this space you will be heard and validated as you discover more about yourself and develop compassion for the parts of you that may seem most dark. And sometimes the path to wellness is to allow ourselves to be discovered more deeply.

As a TGNC queer-identified clinician, I value social justice and the diverse experiences that each client brings into the therapeutic endeavor. I value showing up authentically, believing that it is foundational to a positive therapeutic alliance. With compassion and vulnerability, I center an integrated and trauma-informed approach to therapy.

I specialize in supporting the queer, trans, poly, trauma/complex trauma survivors, and/or neurodivergent communities. I firmly believe that developing and nurturing community connections is vital for navigating the full scope of our shared human experience. Additionally, I am well versed in supporting individuals navigating their queer and trans family identity, relational attachment difficulties, anxiety, negative self-talk, grief, and the challenges of finding community.

Joie is a North Side resident, and a proud member of the Queer, Neurodiverse, and Chronically Ill/ Disabled communities. They believe in nurturing and cherishing these identities (as well as all others!), and challenging social norms with the radical act of being yourself. Joie is a former social emotional and sexual health educator, and has worked with young people in various capacities for over 10 years. They’ve worked both in the schools and via Telehealth to provide therapy to children, adolescents, and emerging adults, focusing primarily on acute and complex trauma, neurodivergence, and gender/sexuality identity development.

Welcome! Taking the step towards therapy can feel daunting, but I'm here 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.