Therapists in Evanston, IL

I specialize in neuro-development, with a particular focus on autism and associated conditions (e.g., sensory processing difficulties, ADHD, Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Social Pragmatic Communication Disorder). My training in Developmental Psychology, Infant Mental Health, and Clinical Neuropsychology, and my 30+ years experience, have taught me to put parents first, intervene early, and collaborate with medical doctors, developmental therapists, and schools for the strongest outcomes in these conditions.

I work with teenagers, adults and relationships struggling with communication and self-esteem. I want to help anyone dealing with issues surrounding self-worth, communication, sex and intimacy, life transitions, abortion processing, depression and anxiety, and the perinatal/postpartum period to understand that they are not alone. I consider myself a relational therapist and work with any and all relationships! This includes but is not limited to couples, spouses, friendships, adult siblings, open relationships, and polyamorous relationships.

Life can be stressful. We are constantly bombarded with news, both good and bad: requests from family and friends, work deadlines, and living with the unknown. Taking time to talk through our worries, fears, and learn more about ourselves can be endlessly rewarding. How do we learn to have boundaries? How do we learn that self-compassion does not mean selfish? How do we learn to start recognizing patterns and making positive change in our lives? How do we build connection? Therapy can help us achieve these goals while processing our fears, traumas, and doubts, as well as cheering on our accomplishments, no matter their size.

The reality of our world is that it's stressful and demanding, and we can often feel like we're never "doing enough" or being the best version ourselves. These feelings can exacerbate exisiting mental health struggles, or open our eyes to the fact that we need more support to manage what life has given us. Whether you've been around the therapy block many times before, or are just taking that first brave leap into therapy, my hope is that I can be a source of not only clinical support, but also be an authentic source of compassion and validation.

I am an individual and couples therapist in Skokie. I have worked extensively with adult clients suffering from anxiety, OCD, panic disorder, depression, and relationship issues. I have also worked with families in distress and children experiencing difficulties at home and in school. I am certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and take the time to form unique, quality relationships with each and every client.

Therapy is about finding someone who "gets you", someone who can build trust and help you find your truth at an ever deeper level. I focus on attachment history, trauma, values and early experiences along with mindfulness practice, using the wisdom of the body to awaken to needs and emotions. Symptoms represent our wiring and our way of coping with the world. Getting past that takes a challenging, gentle, fully present partnership. I work with adults: high performers, creatives and grad students. Hearing each unique path -finding ways to stay alive and awake and engaged in this world on fire.

I work with adults, adolescents and couples who are experiencing relationship issues, life transitions, anxiety and mood disorders, career issues, or a general feeling of being lost or stuck in life. I believe therapy is a powerful tool that can reveal and illuminate the workings of your inner world to help you better navigate your outer world. If you are willing to be brave and do the work, therapy can inspire and empower you to create the positive changes you need in order to live a life that is more aligned with your values and feels more in tune with your authentic self.

In my clinical approach, I truly believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship. I utilize an integrative, relational, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and developmentally informed lens to best support clients’ individual needs. I strive to create a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic environment where clients can be heard and seen so they can work towards deeper self-understanding and self-awareness to feel empowered to live according to their most authentic beliefs, and as a result, more fulfilling lives.

Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, confused, frustrated, discouraged, disappointed, lost, anxious, sad or angry, you are not alone. Most of us experience those feelings at some point in our lives. We care about the people we serve, and we believe every person is individual, authentic, and unique. We use evidence-based practice (EBP) methods for mental health to help children, pre-teens, teenagers, adults, couples, and families to live their best lives. We understand that therapy can seem scary and intimidating, though we know that finding the support you need is the key to starting the self- healing process.

While I believe that most of us attempt to manage the best we can given our current circumstances, struggles and challenges can still seem insurmountable. I want you to know that change is possible, but doing it alone may feel like an added burden. I am hoping for the opportunity to work collaboratively with you to navigate the challenges at hand. Within the context of psychotherapy, I believe that healing begins by ensuring the goodness-of-fit of the therapeutic relationship; which is a connection that develops through a shared understanding of the experiences of the human condition.

Offering daytime, evening, and weekend hours! I work with individuals & couples to help them with the stressors of life; addictions, sexual issues, mental health issues and abuse all take a toll on our relationships. My approach to therapy is based on the care that I have for my clients and desire for them to feel understood. I strongly believe in establishing a relationship of equals and mutual respect between therapist and client.

We do the best we can with the histories and resources we have. Our experiences and relationships shape/influence us, sometimes leaving us hopeful and nourished and other times leaving us stuck, depleted, anxious, sad, confused/overwhelmed. With a safe space and support, we can draw on our inner resilience to confront, manage and transcend our challenges, freeing us to live more authentic and fulfilling lives. My work is trauma-informed. My process is collaborative and interactive. I approach each therapy encounter with an open mind, recognizing that you are the expert in your life and know what works and what you need from therapy.

Therapy is a significant step towards discovering your true self and to understand the issues that shape and block you from leading a more authentic fulfilling life. Through the context of a trusting relationship I will work with you to uncover your goals. Symptoms are messages of blockage and unbalance our way of trying to cope. Understanding the message behind the symptoms and getting past them is part of the work and require a gentle challenging partnership. I focus on attachment history, values and experiences that have shaped who you are. I work with adults of all ages and diagnosis's.

It's important that you find a therapist that is a right fit for you. I strive to create a safe holding environment where clients feel understood and encouraged to take their next step. I utilize a developmental framework and family systems approach, while viewing each client as a unique individual. I specialize in working with young children and families, providing individual, family, couples, and group treatment.

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.

Veronica Pena is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Illinois. There are joys of being a parent and there are also the difficult, confusing, frustrating, and exhausting moments where you might feel like you don't know what to do to help your child. Kids struggling with behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem sometimes need an extra hand to help them navigate the difficulties in life. Veronica understands both childhood development and the complexities of parental struggles, and she can help your child have a better experience of their life.

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.

You've taken the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life, and I'm here to support you. If you are seeking individual therapy, I will help you explore effective strategies for handling stress, overwhelm, and burnout while balancing work and family responsibilities. For couples therapy, I will guide you and your partner in learning strategies for a healthier and happier relationship. Together, we will work through patterns and develop new ways to communicate and relate to each other.

Sometimes even day to day activities can feel overwhelming. Whether you are a child just starting school, an adolescent going through changes, a young adult navigating being on your own for the first time, or a parent who is struggling with understanding your child, know that you are never alone. Taking that first step in asking for help and seeking out therapy is understandably difficult, even if it isn’t the first time, but can make a world of difference. Therapy is a way to better understand you and/or your child’s experiences, while also creating healthy coping skills, boundaries, and sense of self.