Therapists in Highland Park, IL

It is my honor and delight to assist people in using their own wisdom to balance their lives. Clients say I am easy to be with and talk to, and I do not judge. We explore the cognitive, physical, spiritual and emotional realms of life experience. And we find patterns, identify core values and can focus on specific challenges. My professional goal is to provide a comfortable, non-judgmental and protected place in which we can explore your life and your concerns freely.

My goal is to help people change the ways in which we keep ourselves stuck, unhappy & functioning below our potential. I have extensive training in & use a variety of different approaches/models tailored to the individual(s) and their concerns. I work with people who have intimacy &relationship issues, chronic illness, self-esteem issues, conflicts, pervasive feelings of unhappiness, loneliness, loss, anxiety, depression and/or emptiness, self-defeating patterns or just a general sense of being out of sync with themselves, their feelings & the other people in their world. My style is warm, non-judgmental, empathic & collaborative.

I have worked in the human services field for over 20 years and in many different capacities. My work has generally focused on teens and children during transitional points in their lives. I practice with the respect and validation that many children do not get, but need. Working and collaborating with schools and caretakers is a foundation of the work I do along with an expectation of continued contact with both schools and families throughout the work.

I believe that everyone deserves a non-judgmental space to reflect on their thoughts, feelings, and reality, however, that may look. As a supportive clinician, I like working with teens, adults 18+, parents, and families. For over 9 years, I have supported individuals and families in crisis settings strengthening my knowledge as a trauma-informed therapist. I am also comfortable supporting individuals who are not experiencing trauma and are just looking for maintenance on a wide range of topics: substance use, behavioral concerns, work- or home-related stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, grief, gender, culture, and sexuality.

When it comes to mental health treatment, our approach is simple and unique: our accomplished team of physicians and therapists work together to diagnose and treat your body, mind and spirit as a whole. We are one of the few practices combining traditional treatment with evidence-based alternative therapies, all under one roof. We are privileged to have changed the lives of many families in Chicago's North Shore, as well as out-of-state and foreign visitors. Our "whole body" approach to treating mental health conditions is supported by clinical studies. These include but are not limited to: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), diet and exercise, spiritual/social evaluation, yoga and art therapy. Many still focus only on the brain, treating symptoms, not causes. In many cases they over-prescribe medications. While our physicians do prescribe medications as needed, what sets us apart is our commitment to explore all options. We search for root causes and provide the most appropriate treatment, not merely the most convenient one. When we do prescribe, we go the extra mile to customize a plan that minimizes side effects. You and your family deserve the best in healthcare!

I'm a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 12 years of experience & am the owner of the Center for Psychology & Wellness (est. in 2014, click website link!). I'm passionate about helping people manage symptoms and get lives back on track. I help people feel safe/comfortable as they work through difficulties. I've helped many people overcome their struggles, feel empowered, and learn life-long skills for emotions & behaviors. I specialize in comprehensive psychological assessments for youth & adults. I accept most insurances and testing referrals from parents, teachers, psychiatrists, pediatricians, schools, physicians, and more!

Allison Sheade is a feminist psychodynamic, relational, trauma-focused LCPC in Chicago. Her style is warm, empathic, collaborative, and direct. Allison has an active style, and clients enjoy knowing that she will offer insights, interpretations, and feedback that are effective, helpful, and supportive. Allison has worked in community mental health, at the Women's Center at Northwestern University, and in outpatient settings. Allison works with diverse populations and operates from a multicultural perspective, valuing differences of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender and sexuality (+ poly & kink), ableness, and world-view.

I have been a licensed clinical social worker for over twenty years. I enjoy helping others reach their potential, and I see therapy as a journey. Whether it be short-term or long-term, my ability to build rapport and trust enables my clients to work on their issues openly in a collaborative manner. It is important to know that you are the author of your story and it is equally important to define your goals. My approach is to encourage self-discovery and to help provide other perspectives and coping strategies to enhance your life. It's about skill-building and managing new situations using new coping mechanisms, not old ones.

My approach to therapy is interactive and collaborative, and I believe people can improve self-esteem and relieve depression and anxiety through the therapeutic process. It's been gratifying to witness clients feeling better as they resolve feelings about their early relationships, and improve their current relationships. Many people feel at an impasse in their lives; and therapy helps them see that, no matter how painful a problem feels, there is always hope.

When experiencing heightened emotions, it can be challenging to complete daily tasks, find joy in relationships or just feel like yourself. Often when one person in a family is struggling the entire family is impacted. I work with individuals and families struggling with connection, anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, relationship and family concerns. I specialize in working with families, parents and individual adults to build strong relationships and help families tackle the tasks and goals asked of them every day.

We all experience emotional and physical difficulties from time to time. Often we are able to deal with these life experiences ourselves. Sometimes, however, it is not possible for us to resolve these challenges alone. In these situations professional help is appropriate. Until fifty years ago anyone experiencing psychological and/or physical stress was treated individually. Family therapy grew out of a simple but profound idea: People in crisis can often be best understood and treated within their own famiies. As a certified family therapist, as well as a certified psychoanalyst, I have the education necessary to see both famiies and individuals.

When we feel understood by another person we feel better about ourselves. My practice is based in helping children adolescents and adults feel accepted and supported. Therapy offers the opportunity to explore and observe oneself in relation to the world and with others. Increased self awareness improves our ability to develop more effective coping skills for managing our responses to lifes challenges and stress. For children and young adults especially mastering a sense of self control can lead to increased confidence and a sense of well being.

I believe individuals manage the best they can, but these efforts do not always naturally translate to happiness or self-fulfillment. Oftentimes, situations cause us pain and in response, we spend considerable energy safeguarding our vulnerabilities at the expense of our well-being. Managing emotional distress alone can feel overwhelming, which is why we often need help from a sensitive, knowledgeable professional.

I help people cope with distress arising from past or current situations. Major life changes can be overwhelming. It can be particularly difficult when balancing the challenges of relationships, having a family, dealing with learning issues at school, or receiving a diagnosis. I will work with you by developing insight into problems, assisting in change, and providing support as needed. Starting the process of receiving help for personal issues can be difficult. Together we will pursue excellence in care and work hard to maintain uncompromising standards to meet individual goals.

We are a North Shore group of psychologists and counselors that are committed to providing quality therapeutic services for clients through the lifespan. We are licensed specialists who work with infants, toddlers, children, teens, adults, couples,and families. Services are provided in English and Polish. Each client will be listened to in a newly renovated office that promotes comfort and privacy. Individualized treatment is developed for each client to increase positive outcomes and success. We use evidence-based treatments that have been researched and found to reduce barriers that interfere with positive and healthy functioning.

I am highly compassionate and enjoy using humor to make my office and our time together relaxed and comfortable. My emphasis on the therapeutic relationship creates a setting in which my clients can safely express, explore, and consider the possibility of change. My passion is helping people identify their strengths and use these to build effective coping skills to not only deal with stress, but feel proud of how they did so. Whether we are discussing, drawing a picture, or playing a game, my clients are empowered to become experts on how to reach their goals!

Life is a journey that comes at us in waves or phases. These waves can knock us off our feet and, as a result, often feel insurmountable. I admire the bravery you show by coming to treatment and am honored to be part of your journey. By doing this, we will alleviate current symptoms and make connections between past and present. This will leave you with your eyes wide open to impending waves; thus, lessening their impact.

Starting therapy is a turning point and I'm ready to help you take the next step in your life. Your relationship with your therapist matters a lot, and I'm committed to helping you feel safe, understood and connected as we begin our work together. I'm a caring and engaged therapist working with individuals and couples. I have years of experience as a teacher, counselor and doula. I look forward to helping you find an increased sense of happiness and fulfillment as a result of the work that we do together.

I have over 20 years of testing experience as a Licensed Diagnostician, Educational Psychologist, and School Psychologist. I specialize in psychoeducational & neuro/psychological testing for children, teens, college students, and adults. I evaluate for ADHD, executive functioning, anxiety, mood, developmental concerns, social anxiety, social difficulties, personality traits, adjustment issues, 504/IEP, learning challenges, college & graduate school testing, college career assessment profiles, & more. I worked with many school districts as a child advocate/consultant/school psychologist, including North Shore, Lincolnwood, & NSSED