Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Crystal Lake, IL

I help adults and children struggling with anxiety, depression, and insecurity - transition to feeling safe and secure, while moving forward in life with confidence and trust in themselves. I have worked with children and adults who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, anxiety, depression, complex trauma, dysfunctional relationships, prenatal/postpartum depression/anxiety, grief, self-worth challenges, addictions to food/drugs/alcohol, and perfectionism.I also have experience working with children and their families with a variety of youth challenges. I will work with you and your child to help negotiate big emotions,

Welcome! My name is Stephanie Sanchez and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 10 years of experience working with individuals and family members struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma related issues. I have cultivated a career working with children, teens, and adults and I strive in anyway possible to help achieve therapy goals so that you or family member can cultivate a healthy and prosperous self.

Are you feeling that issues in your life are too stressful or painful to cope with on your own? Do you struggle with depression, anxiety, guilt, anger (your own or some else's), mood swings, trauma (rape, combat, incest, other) OCD, relationship issues, or other emotional difficulties. Maybe you are wondering about your purpose in life or struggling with your spirituality. You might feel you are alone in your suffering. I am a Clinical Psychologist dedicated to providing a compassionate and respectful environment where you can explore these and other life issues that are causing you distress.

My focus as a therapist is to help individuals who have experienced trauma, anxieties, and depression. Through the therapeutic relationship, I work with people to increase their personal discovery and gain access to the expression of authentic emotion. I believe we are innately designed to survive, and sometimes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are negatively enacted. My framework identifies that each person is doing the best they can in the moment and it is the therapist’s job to investigate additional moments of resilience, persistence, and self-compassion toward healing.

Drawing on 15 years of experience as a clinical therapist, I am shifting my area of practice to helping women of all ages live their best life. My belief is treatment should focus on developing an emotionally safe relationship to create an environment you are comfortable sharing your truth. My practice approach is primarily client centered and solution focused. I enjoy exploring life struggles and providing the tools to help you navigate through them.

I believe therapy is an opportunity to create a new path toward living a meaningful life. Often struggles or hardships we experience push us into following old patterns that may not fit our values or how we want to effectively live our lives. It can also be space to understand how we can be more fulfilled or effective in our many roles. I specialize in treating trauma and whether the event happened a month ago, or 20 years ago, there are effective, evidence-based strategies we can use to grow beyond that harm. I also enjoy working with people in the areas of self-esteem, anxiety, attachment, relationships, & LGBTQIA+ issues.

I have experience and knowledge working with individuals who live with; depression, anxiety, bi-polar, personality disorders, schizophrenia, PTSD, substance abuse disorder, suicide and self-harm, LGBTQ+, and grief. I have an education in evidence-based therapies, such as but not limited to: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, motivational interviewing, harm-reduction, and SMART recovery. Newly (2024) added to my services, is animal assisted therapy. I acknowledge the uncertainty that comes with starting therapy, you’re not alone. I urge you though to not let fear stop you from getting the help you deserve.

I am devoted to establishing a strong rapport with clients while recognizing counseling as a collaborative process. I believe it’s important that clients feel safe when sharing their innermost thoughts, feelings, and concerns. I have provided counseling services in a variety of different settings including community mental health and private practice. I am experienced in working with children, adolescents, and young adults with difficulties including self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, anxiety, depression, trauma, and ADHD symptoms.

Welcome! We are a small, private, multi-clinician practice. I am a supervising clinical psychologist, and am passionate about helping people overcome obstacles in their lives, particularly those stemming from traumatic experiences and events. These can include (but are not limited to) toxic relationships, divorce, car accidents, loss of a loved one, abuse/neglect (physical, sexual, verbal or emotional), domestic violence and secondary trauma.

My passion has always been to help others during difficult times, especially children, teens, and young adults. I am dedicated in serving my community and guiding others on a self-discovery journey to feeling better and learning effective ways of coping with diverse situations. My diverse experience working in the field has given me insight on the resilience we all carry within us and in our unique stories. Something I consider in my therapeutic approach: It's not about what’s wrong with you, it’s about what’s happened to you and in how you decide to move forward, regardless of the difficult baggage, you don’t need to do it alone.

I have been helping clients for the past 24 years working through their mental health and substance use challenges. I am committed to helping you reducing your stress and better manage/change your overall mood through a variety of counseling & stress management techniques. I can help you increase your self-esteem, self worth and work through any body image and acceptance issues that may be challenging your patience. I truly understand anxiety disorders, codependency, health issues, relationship issues, women specific issues, depression and post-partum depressive disorders. I would love to help you make lasting lifestyle changes.

Each person has their own unique story, and I genuinely want to hear about yours. It is our imperfections that make us beautiful, and I want to help give you the tools to see that in yourself. I specialize in working with complex trauma, which can present in many ways. Many of my clients struggle with big emotions and reactions, relationship issues, codependency, self-harming, shame, and low self-esteem. If you are feeling lost, hurt, scared, or hopeless, then I am so glad you are reaching out for help. I truly believe we are all capable and worthy of healing, growth, and compassion.

My current philosophy is that if PTSD is defined as past trauma experienced in the present via different symptoms, then every clinical presentation is one of trauma. Trauma focused therapists, such as myself, look at every client as unique and that they do not (and never have) fit into the boxes that other therapists have wanted them to fit into. Trauma therapists look at your past to better understand where your symptoms come from and how to resolve them. You will learn what you avoid and how you avoid it. Our hope is that you will work with us so that you can develop a more courageous attitude and face your unfinished business.

I truly believe that we have the capacity to heal, adapt and transform our lives. When given the right tools and support, we become empowered for change. The primary focus of my practice is support individuals as they work to cope and heal from complex trauma, addictive behaviors, and codependency. I strive to nurture and empower my clients without enabling. I am neurodivergent-affirming and support my clients in developing feeling understandings of themselves. I hold a warm, down to earth, and non-judgmental therapeutic space where all can feel secure.

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), National Certified Counselor and a fully trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist . I received my Master of Arts/Science degree from Roosevelt University. I specialize in Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),anxiety, depression, addictions, fears, guilt and a range of life adjustment issues. I work with individuals to help make sense of the past to understand and neutralize the negative influence it has on present functioning and relationships. By clearing up the "debri" from the past, we can fully focus on being our best in the present and future.

I work with adolescents, and adults to navigate the challenges in life that we face to find healing and wholeness. My role as a therapist is to offer support and tools that help you live a life that is more genuine, fulfilling and aligns with your goals and desires for yourself and your family. I practice out of a trauma informed perspective to help you dig in to find true healing.

I am aware that beginning your search for a therapist, can be quite overwhelming. If you are ready for real change in your life and are tired of being stuck in the same routine, same fears, or same unhelpful thought patterns, then we will work very well together. I specialize in working with individuals struggling with relationship issues, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and life transitions. I use EMDR to help people who have experienced a trauma. I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). My style is direct, down to earth and focuses on a collaborative approach.

I work with children and up who are experiencing anxiety, depression, issues related to trauma, and executive functioning disorders (Spectrum and ADHD). I have experience working with clients with developmental delays or developmental disorders, along with learning difficulties.

If you struggle with sadness, anger, thoughts that won't leave you alone, anxiety (a restless uncomfortable feeling), or just feel like life is harder for you than most of the people you know, you are suffering needlessly. If you feel frustrated when dealing with others, I can help you get more out of life with less frustration. If you have suffered a loss or a serious trauma, either recent or distant past, I can teach you how to heal your emotional wounds and reclaim your life.