Depression Therapists in Downers Grove, IL

As a specialist in the area of OCD and anxiety-related disorders, I am skilled at working with patients who are suffering from all types of anxiety, and I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and exposure-based interventions to treat OCD and related disorders (such as hair pulling and skin picking) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. My other areas of specialty include Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Phobia, Specific Phobia (e.g., fear of spiders, heights). I provide a safe, trusting environment in which kids, teens, and adults can feel comfortable and confident in their abilities to reach their goals.

As a licensed professional counselor, I work mainly with adolescents and adults suffering with anxiety and depression. I also work with those grieving the loss of a loved one, and those adjusting to changes in their lives. I believe you carry the power and ability to effect change in your life. I am here to help guide you and provide you with tools and resources so that you can make positive, lifelong changes in your life.

I am an adolescent and adult therapist, as well as Director of Therapy Services for Advanced Behavioral Health Services, with credentials of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), as well as a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I have experience providing therapy to adolescents and adults in individual, family and group settings. Areas of expertise include: mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), anxiety, post-traumatic or acute stress, personality disorders, schizophrenia and delusional disorders, struggles with addiction, relationship issues, life transitions and loss/grief issues.

Have you had enough? Do you need to make a change? Are you hurting? I desire to help others who are on a journey of growth, healing and change. I will help guide you through your personal journey and together we will find the way. I work with individuals and couples who are dealing with a variety of life situations and struggles. Many of my clients experience anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship issues, communication conflicts, abuse,and divorce. It is easy to isolate yourself and not talk about issues that are causing unease. I will help you discover your own answer.

I have over twenty years of social work experience. I have worked in foster care and adoption, in a psychiatric hospital and am currently working in private practice. My patients include children, adolescents, adults and couples. I treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief issues, conflict resolution, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, OCD, addictions, issues related to divorce and family/marital conflicts. I use a variety of treatment modalities based on the individual needs of the patient. My therapeutic approach is a non-judgmental blending of eastern and western philosophies thereby helping patients develop acceptance and develop better coping strategies to deal with their challenges.

I have over 20 years of clinical experience helping individuals with a variety of life challenges. Some of the issues that I specialize in are: anxiety, depression, addiction, substance abuse, life transitions, and grief and loss. I strive to work from a place of non-judgement, creating support and emotional safety within the therapeutic relationship. I believe that emotional wellness and change in therapy are only possible when people feel encouraged and safe. One of my primary goals is to help my patients find a deeper connection to their authentic selves.

I believe in the importance of creating a warm, safe, and collaborative therapeutic environment to help clients explore and confront life challenges. We will join together in therapy to identify what may be getting in the way of leading the life you want, manage and solve problems, and make healthy decisions towards a well-balanced life. We will process how to navigate difficult life situations utilizing your inner strengths and insights, while offering new perspectives and strategies to find the best path towards healing and growth.

Are your feelings of sadness and anxiety preventing you from enjoying life? Are you struggling with relationship difficulties or life transitions? Do you feel stuck? Do you desire closeness and greater intimacy with your partner/spouse? Do you want to improve your communications? You are not alone. Seeking therapy is the 1st step toward achieving a more satisfying life and/or relief from suffering. The decision to seek therapy can be difficult but helpful when we are overwhelmed by life experiences and unhappy with relationships in our lives. Treatment is confidential. My office is located in a private, safe & comfortable setting.

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, anxious or depressed? Are you ready to make a change? Whether your problem is due to a current situation or a long-standing issue, therapy can help you make the changes to get you to start feeling like yourself again. I help people find their inner strengths, learn how to be true to themselves in identifying wants, needs, and desires and figuring out a way to achieve these dreams.

When unforeseen circumstances present themselves in life, everyone can benefit from extra support. The opportunity to change and improve your life starts when you seek out professional support and guidance. I am a practical, effective and compassionate therapist. I work with adults and adolescents clients to help improve the quality of life by dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, self esteem, phase of life issues, substance abuse, anger, relationship issues and grief.

When life is overwhelming, I want to give you tools that can bring immediate relief. My approach is to tailor our work to your needs. Although I have worked with many clients with varying issues of all ages, my specialties include issues of grief/loss, chronic medical illnesses (cancer, diabetes), depression, anxiety, relationship issues, LGBTQ and fertility issues. I strive to help you concentrate on the present, focus on the future and explore the past to understand current behaviors and coping. I create a safe place where you can share and acquire more coping tools to adjust to life changes.

My practice focuses primarily on the treatment of adolescents (16 and older) and adults with OCD and anxiety disorders, depression, self-injury, young adult struggles, interpersonal conflict, and trauma. I am particularly passionate about working with individuals struggling with OCD (e.g. excessive hand-washing, repetitive checking behaviors, scrupulosity) and Social Anxiety (e.g. fear of embarrassment). I have extensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

I specialize in treating Trauma (single event, long-term and attachment) with experiential therapies, including EMDR & Somatic Experiencing. These interventions recognize the need to go beyond changing your thoughts and focus on helping people regulate the body sensations and emotions that continue to be experienced. For example: a person may know that a traumatic event is over and yet continue to feel the emotion of anxiety and the body sensation of muscle tension (never truly relaxing or feeling safe). This can activate an impulse to run away from situations, become angry/defensive or shut down (depressed/ avoidant/dissociative)

While in school, I was asked why I choose the field of psychology. I replied, "life doesn't need to be so painful". Finding relief isn't always easy. Life offers us many challenges that are not only difficult to face; but, even more painful to face alone. I am here to offer unbiased support and help processing through and uncover feelings, beliefs, behaviors, and consequences to life's discomforts. I counsel: ADULTS in transition, personal development, trauma, depression, anxiety, impulse, and mood disorders. ADOLESCENCE: social anxiety, ocd, adhd/add, school issues/avoidance, self-harm, and issues with self-esteem.

How often do you find yourself saying, "I want to live to my fullest potential and nothing is going to stop me." Now you, more than likely, think "If I can just get through the day, I'm good." When was the last time you felt you could make positive change for good. It's painful to feel stuck, indecisive and overwhelmed. You long for the quality of life you believe you deserve but, often, are not sure what to do next. I have over 20 years experience in helping clients address life issues related to depression, anxiety, substance use and trauma.

It is my life's purpose and passion to help others live meaningful and Joy-filled lives. I have invested many years in my own self-healing, growth, and professional development. Successful therapy draws upon the quality of the therapeutic relationship. I value the time you are spending as you make this very important decision for yourself. Together, let's explore the mental, emotional, spiritual, and behavioral patterns which are interfering with your ability to maintain harmony within yourself, and in your relationships with others. Come to create the shift you need to blossom into the fullest expressions of your authenticity.

Making the decision to work on your life takes so much courage. My passion involves working with individuals who want to pursue personal growth. My approach is open, honest and with a dash of humor. I believe the core of this work is developing a relationship of trust and honesty. Whatever you are facing in your life- whether it be relationships difficulties, self-esteem, depression, anxiety or anything that is challenging your wellbeing, we can work together to help you have the life you want based on your values.

AFC Counselors are passionate about providing an environment of safety and integrity for you (children, adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, and families) to find and sustain your path to emotional health and well-being. We understand that seeking help isn't always easy, so we make every effort to make you feel welcome as you take this important step for yourself or your loved one.

People are compassionate beings and I treat each with care, support and respect. Over the years, I have learned to treat the whole mind and whole body. I have learned you can not treat one without the other. Understanding the interconnectedness of the mind and body has been my life's passion. In the 24 years of providing clinical treatment, I take a multidisciplinary approach to therapy. I use an innovative array of therapies and techniques depending on your situation and way of learning. I believe every one experiences life differently and every one is a teacher to each other.