Behavioral Issues Therapists in Evanston, IL

In my practice I strive to make people feel comfortable and safe in both body and mind. Life can be challenging, and sometimes during those challenging times we may forget what it’s like to feel like our true selves or to feel happy. Allow me to help you through this journey. Nobody should have to suffer alone. I have 18 years of clinical experience as a therapist. I work primarily with adults and teens. I utilize a combination of Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, as well as Mindfulness and Meditation in my practice.

I am a Dually-Licensed Clinical Therapist and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 10 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, families, and couples. I obtained my Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago, specializing in children and families along with addiction treatment. I received the Class Act Award from University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago and the Chapter of Merit Award from the American Case Management Association. I combine CBT, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, behavioral analysis, and mindfulness/insight awareness with a client-centered solution-focused approach.

Dr. Leigh Monahan is passionate about helping children, adolescents, young adults, and families to empower themselves and to gain concrete skills for achieving optimal social, emotional, behavioral, and academic success. She takes a holistic approach to working with clients, and she values partnering with key stakeholders in the young person’s life. She provides individual and family-focused treatment to address a range of developmental periods and presenting concerns, including young and emerging adults as they navigate the demands of this time period.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is paramount in fostering change. It is through an open, nonjudgmental, and safe environment that clients can explore and grow into their most authentic selves and lead more fulfilling lives. My approach emphasizes how our past and present experiences shape how we relate to others and the world around us. I work with children, adolescents, and adults, and utilize an integrative and collaborative approach that incorporates aspects of Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Feminist, Relational, and Strengths-Based approaches.

Are you tired of feeling anxious and depressed? Do you have intrusive and/or brooding thoughts that may be connected to an old memory or issue that is hard to quiet? Are you tired of feeling miserable and would like to learn tangible and useful techniques that will help take the edge and, in some instances, eliminate these thoughts and feelings? If you are ready to make that change, are open minded to learning non-traditional therapeutic methods, then please reach out to me and we’ll get started! As of now, I am taking new clients with convenient Saturday and Sunday hours. I am providing teletherapy / Skype services.

My passion for being a Psychotherapist stems from the desire to help others reach their highest potential, no matter the obstacles in life. Individual therapy creates a confidential, caring, and safe environment that promotes self-discovery and growth. My philosophy aims to meet you where you are and to guide and support you by building hope, resiliency, and self–love. I will empower you by using therapeutic strategies that instill aspiration, courage, and progress. Couples treatment provides a safe and trusting environment where we can identify issues and achieve growth.

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or struggling to find balance in your life? Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or simply want to better understand yourself, I am here to help you navigate your journey toward healing and growth.

Are you an individual on the autism spectrum and looking to gain skills and independence? Have Dreams' counselors are here to help! We support children, adolescents, and young adults with autism in progressing toward their individual goals, be that working on building social and communication skills, addressing emotion regulation and stress management, preparing for employment, or developing executive functioning skills like staying organized and managing time effectively. We also offer parent education and support around new diagnosis.

Passionate therapist specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate challenges in relationships, conquer anxiety and depression, overcome heartbreak, and achieve their best selves in both personal and professional realms.

I help people harness their strengths and learn new skills to increase their coping repertoire. I use cognitive behavioral strategies to enhance coping abilities and help people grow. Through a collaborative relationship, I help people define their goals, discover what strategies work for them, and work towards the next phase of their life. I'm pretty direct in my approach. Plus, I think everyone needs to have a sense of humor and I bring this attitude to my work.

I am a clinical social worker and I strive to provide a safe environment in which you can explore your issues and challenges, face difficult life choices, recognize the sources of your conflict and reactions and empower your strengths. Are you able to communicate your sexual wishes and needs to your partner? Therapy can help you learn to relate to one another verbally, emotionally and sexually. My approach to psychotherapy is to integrate insight into emotional patterns with behavioral and cognitive techniques, and other modalities depending on each client's unique needs.

All of us -- women and men, young and old, poor, middle class and upscale folks, minorities and majorities -- have to deal with complexity. As a therapist I help heal hurts from the past, assist clients in managing present challenges, and work collaboratively to create more satisfying future lives. The people who see me for individual, couples and family therapy represent a culturally diverse group. Their difficulties range from anxiety and depression, to stress disorders, OCD/OCPD, relationship problems, employment issues, and bereavement. Many of these women and men report quick progress in better managing their personal, family, academic, and work lives.

When junk food, Netflix binges, and a long cry aren’t quite enough to combat whatever has you feeling down or anxious, then perhaps it’s time to explore therapy. There is nothing quite as fulfilling as discovering the best version of yourself, and I’d be honored to help you find it!

We all hold beliefs about who we are--some of those beliefs are positive and motivate us to do what we need to and want to, but some are negative and prevent us from living the life we want. Sometimes we know what those negative beliefs are; we are very familiar with them and feel like we can’t escape them. Other times we aren’t quite sure why we keep finding ourselves doing the same hurtful actions over and over again. I work with you to discover what negative beliefs are impacting your present and preventing the life and relationships you want to enjoy.

I believe therapy is a wellness tool that should be accessible to people of all sexual, racial and gender orientations. I work with children, adolescents and young adults with anxiety, mood disorders, gender identity concerns and related issues, emotional dysregulation and behavior disorders. I work closely alongside the parents/guardians of my clients to identify goals and create treatment plans toward meeting these goals. My work with adults includes treating anxiety, depression, grief, gender identity and related issues, trauma, self-esteem, life transitions, abuse, relationship challenges, spirituality and religious concerns.

How we make sense of our life experiences and deal with life's challenges is important for all of us. Adoption adds a layer of complexity. Issues of attachment, trauma, loss, race/identity, behavioral regulation, self-esteem and the impact of difficult/unknown early history take on added significance as children grow and mature into young adults. At The Cradle Center for Lifelong Support, I work with all members of the adoption circle My expertise is in strengthening children and their families by improving attachment, communication and understanding through individual/family therapy, parent coaching and education.

Hi reader! I have some hypothetical questions for you: Are you a college student struggling to adjust? Are you a parent who’s sick of getting calls from your child’s teacher about behavior issues? Are you sick of feeling "stuck" in the cycle of mood or executive function disorders? Would you like to be understood and supported by a passionate mental health professional? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, I’m the therapist for you!

I bring 47 years of experience to my work. I earned my doctorate from Loyola University of Chicago in 1977, following a three-year internship at the Loyola Guidance Clinic. Prior to that, I received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Northwestern (1973) and a Bachelor of Arts (cum laude) from Harvard (1972). For 18 years, I was with the department of psychiatry at Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco. From 2008 to 2024 I was with the Family Institute at Northwestern, where I wrote the popular Family Tip of the Month and the Couples Tip of the Month and produced the Talking to Kids You Love video collection.

I believe therapy has a power to HEAL, enhance growth, and obtain inner peace. As a psychotherapist, I strive to empower my clients by building on their own strengths and encouraging insight within a nurturing environment. Together we can identify goals to facilitate growth and healing. My specialties include trauma therapy, domestic violence/sexual assault counseling, substance abuse, and empowerment training. I am experienced in working with clients struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, self-esteem/body image concerns, women's issues, relationship concerns, and troubles with adjustment and life transitions.