Transgender Therapists in Evanston, IL

I am a licensed clinical social worker. I have focused my career on working with adolescents ,young adults, parents and families. Over the last 10 + years, I have had the opportunity to work with individuals and families in the North Shore. I work with clients to help them find a safe space to express, explore and make positive changes. Over the years I have learned that every individual and family is unique and need treatment to be flexible and supportive of their needs. I work to create opportunities and to teach tangible skills, so long lasting change is possible. I am a gender affirming clinician.

It is my goal to provide you with a safe, therapeutic space to unload and explore your needs, worries, and fears whatever they may be. The path to healing is unique for each of us. We will work collaboratively towards meeting your goals and needs, and in doing so, make your life more comfortable and satisfying. It is my hope that each person who meets with me feels accepted, as I respect each individual's culture, gender, race, religion, and sexual identity.

Val has woven traditional talk therapy and creative techniques to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space for individuals, youth and families to work through difficult life experiences. They have extensive experience working with youth and families managing the challenges associated with emotional and behavioral problems, domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health concerns, and various traumatic life events. She believes in an empowerment and strength-based approach while fostering an environment that encourages self-acceptance, self-awareness and growth.

Choosing the right therapist is important. I am committed to assisting you confront old and new obstacles and make meaningful changes in your life. I have the highest respect for someone who comes through my door. Together, we create a path for personal healing and growth.

We sometimes find ourselves struggling in life. Psychotherapy can be a great place to examine where we are, how we got there, and where we want to go from here. I work collaboratively with clients to explore these questions with empathy, curiosity, and care. I am passionate about supporting clients in being their true, authentic self, and helping them to create deeper connections with the people in their lives. I value the diverse identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences that each client brings. I aim to meet clients where they are at to uncover the right goals for them.

I’m here to help. We all experience stress, loss and pain in so many ways. But we are resilient and, with help, can overcome and enjoy life again. Using a trauma informed and culturally informed focus, I use a combination of compassionate talk therapy, mindfulness and body-based tools as your partner to wellness. In my 20+ years as a clinical psychologist I have been privileged to work with folks from all walks of life especially those in marginalized groups. If you need to sort things out in a safe place, you’ve come to the right place.

Sometime we all feel unhappy, stressed, confused, or "stuck." Talking to an empathic and experienced therapist may be your first step toward developing new insights about positive change. My therapeutic approach is to encourage you to talk about your concerns openly in a confidential and safe environment where you will not be judged. A major benefit of therapy is to provide you with a second point-of-view on your personal material--a perspective other than your own. This process provides you with new ways to think about your choices and behaviors, and frees you to achieve your goals.

As a therapist, I work well with individuals and families who are curious about themselves, our work together, and the possibilities for a healthier future. Clients often find that I am a warm, patient, curious, humorous, kind, and supportive person on their journey toward self-improvement. I am passionate about my work with clients who are LGBTQ* and I love working with gender expansive youth and adults.

You deserve a balanced, happy and successful life. Whether you are questioning what to do, who you are, struggling to find motivation/strength, or just not sure how to attain what you want, there is a safe & non-judgmental space for you. You will learn how to become the "you" that you have always wanted to be. Through empowering work, you will challenge thoughts and uncover negative and sabotaging patterns to help overcome barriers.

I was an activist long before I was a therapist, and I bridge these approaches in my work. Chicago parents, queers, spoonies, feminists, sex workers, polyfolx and weirdos of all stripes: I got you. I use Talk Therapy, EMDR & Mindfulness to help people heal from trauma and bring joy into their lives.

The clients who are the best fit for my clinical approach tend to be people who want to build a stronger sense of self, learn how to center their own needs and set boundaries, and are open to inner child healing. The clients I work with want to change their relationship with themselves to be more compassionate and nurturing. They are recovering people pleasers, people who want to learn how to be more assertive, often have unresolved trauma, and are ready to break cycles in order to establish new patterns. They seek support from me to discuss dating, relationships, sex, childhood traumas, identity, and healing from abuse and neglect.

I have experience working with individual adults and partnerships in areas such as anxiety, depression, sex & intimate wellness, relationship conflict, sexual assault, life transitions, and self esteem. One of my primary areas of expertise is working with members of the LGBTQ+ community in areas of positive sexual and/ or gender identity, coming out, transitioning, and sexual health. However, I work with people of all identities and backgrounds. I foster a therapeutic space that is identity-affirming, sex-positive, and polyamorous- and kink-affirming.

I am passionate about helping clients develop skills to improve their well-being, increase empowerment, and improve their relationships. I believe in creating a non-judgmental, anti-racist, and LGBTQIA+-affirming environment. As a former yoga teacher, I also believe in the power of the mind/body connection. Using a collaborative and supportive approach, I help individuals and families share their struggles, feel validated, identify goals, and develop a treatment plan to enhance their well-being. I work with a diverse population of clients, with a special focus on supporting parents of gender non-conforming individuals.

Vanessa is a dedicated therapist in Chicago, holding a master's degree in Clinical Psychology and licensures as a Board Certified Dance Movement (BC-DMT) Therapist and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and is completing her doctorate in Expressive Arts Therapy. Vanessa radiates warmth and spunk. It’s not unusual for her clients to experience an array of emotions: crying, laughter, sadness, and hope; all within a single session.

The experience of intense and often painful emotions is a normal part of human existence, sometimes this struggle can become so overwhelming it begins to greatly impact one's ability to function, maintain and improve interpersonal relationships, and lead a valued life; leaving us feeling stuck. Therapy allows us to process these emotions, stop the experiential avoidance, and develop more constructive and adaptive ways of dealing with life's challenges and transitions. Through a collaborative, empathic, and values-based relationship, we can work towards increasing one's psychological flexibility, behavioral workability, and coping skills to live a life worth living

Welcome to a space where it's okay to be who you are! I specialize in complex and developmental trauma, with extensive experience in anxiety OCD, and mood disorders. Together we can navigate your past and come into the present. Along the way, we will develop healthy ways to manage the stressors and circumstances that can throw us off balance mentally and physiologically. I am trained in a variety of effective modalities, including EMDR, IFS, CPT, and DBT that we can use to bring clarity, calm and compassion to your life.

I help people connect and grow in relationships. I help couples and families find their way through the difficulties of being in relationship when the uncertain, the unexpected, and the uninvited threaten to unravel the very fabric that would otherwise get them through it. Things like dealing with past trauma or family issues, coming out, getting married, having a child, addiction, a diagnosis, losing a job, or an affair put strain on a couple or family. In time, it can sap all energy and leave members struggling to meet the changing needs of their relationships. I meet you in the struggle and help you figure out how to reconnect.

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.

Have you found yourself struggling with your relationship with your body and food? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, sadness, self-doubt, or struggling to heal from painful past experiences? Perhaps you even desire more connection with others in your life, but find it difficult to show your authentic self out of fear that you may not be “enough.” If so, know that your experiences matter and that it is possible to live a life that feels meaningful to you. As human beings we all need support and guidance in our lives and deserve a sense of peace. Therapy can be a remarkable way to heal and live more authentically.