Art Therapy in Lincolnwood, IL

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.

Welcome! Here is a little bit about myself & my practice to see if our collaboration would be the right fit for you & what you are currently looking for in a therapist. I’m Kassie, I’m a queer, neurodivergent art therapist & substance abuse counselor providing outpatient services through Creative Alchemy Counseling in Chicago, Illinois. I see therapy as a space for transformation, as it can lead to change & be a conductor of healing. I envision therapy as a type of alchemy as it can be the transformation of oneself. Meaning we all hold the potential to be the alchemist of our own life, facilitate change, & transform ourselves.

A positive connection with your therapist is one of the main contributors to your growth in therapy. I hope to meet you where you’re at, supporting you with empathy and understanding. Therapy may be for venting, working through a crisis, increasing self-confidence, managing anxiety or depression, identifying roadblocks, or processing trauma. My therapy practice facilitates emotional + cognitive awareness, and a biological understanding, learning how past experiences inform our present day selves. This translates into care: practicing mindfulness, self-compassion and identifying strengths that help carry you through times of change.

I am Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Art Therapist. I help adults navigate various challenges including anxiety, depression, life transitions, Women's mental health issues such as self-esteem, body image and motherhood. My clinical approach is anchored in the belief that by inviting vulnerability into the therapeutic space, it becomes a cornerstone for personal growth. Each session with me is tailored to the present moment, embodying warmth, sincerity, and a safe atmosphere. Additionally, I am able to utilize art therapy directives as an option for further exploration and expression in the therapy space.

Seeking therapy can be an intimidating experience. My goal is to ease any anxiety around asking for help by creating a safe space for you to be authentic, regardless of what you're going through. I view life's challenges through a trauma-informed, culturally competent lens and utilize various therapeutic approaches catered to your specific needs. I specialize in art therapy, and can incorporate the use of art into session if you are interested in processing your experiences and emotions in a more creative, expressive way. Please know that to engage in art therapy, no prior art experience is needed!

You have come here because you want something to change. Therapy can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. I think a lot about the brain and and how we unconsciously replicate patterns. The work I do uses current neuropsychology to help integrate outdated patterns into newer more helpful ones.

I aim to create a safe space where clients can explore multidimensional issues and set down the load of living in a messy society, even if just for an hour each week. My primary clinical experience has been working with clients in the LGBTQIA+ community and neurodivergent clients (ASD, ADHD, CPTSD, OCD, etc.). My additional work includes but is not limited to religious trauma, body neutrality, anxiety, and depression. I also love working with other clinicians. Embedded in how I support clients is my commitment to anti-racism, anti-ableism, intersectional feminism, Health at Every Size, and support for marginalized communities.

My name is Michelle Waters and I am a licensed counselor (LCPC) and art therapist (ATR). My passion is to help people find their inner power and cultivate the true self through art and talk therapy. I believe that creating art with my clients provides a safe space to discuss issues that might be challenging to talk about otherwise. Therapy is tough, but embedding art in that process takes some of the pressure off and helps develop positive and healthy coping skills. Some of my favorite materials to work with include ceramics, drawing, comics, painting, crochet, and sewing.

My approach as a counselor is highly relational, I believe that acceptance, safety, and trust are important aspects of engendering connection with people, particularly in clinical work. We all have a unique lens through which we view and understand the world - I focus on understanding each individuals’ subjective experiences that create their realities and facilitating the exploration of perspective through a variety of expressions. I believe we can all find more compassion toward ourselves and others by tapping into our innate healing intelligence to achieve greater coping and balance.

"Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try..." If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, or having difficulties in your interpersonal relationships I offer more than 30 years of clinical experience and a creative therapeutic approach. My goal is to treat each individual based on the whole person, rather than simply a diagnosis or label. I employ a holistic and less threatening approach to working through challenges. You will have the opportunity to focus on areas of strength to foster growth, gain personal empowerment, and create life shifts.

Holistic Healing with Creative Arts Therapies: If traditional talk therapy, yoga, or self-help apps haven’t provided relief from stress, anxiety, depression, or grief, consider a different approach. Grounded in mindfulness and creative arts therapies—art, movement, music, and drama—we believe that the path to clarity, growth, and empowerment involves more than just talking. Creative arts therapies can help you explore and express yourself in new ways, gaining insights unique to the creative process.

Anne Zakaras, LCPC, ATR-BC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Registered Board Certified Art Therapist. Her integrative, client-centered approach is rooted in evidence-based psychotherapeutic practices often but not always combined with art therapy techniques in order to treat a variety of mental health concerns. In addition to being a Board Certified Art Therapist, Anne is certified in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and is a Certified Grief Informed Professional.

Are you struggling with authentically connecting with others and yourself? Do you often feel lost, isolated, rejected, abandoned, or riddled with self-doubt? Trauma and anxiety can have a profound impact on how we connect with others and ourselves. Our brains do a magnificent job of creating defense mechanisms to protect us during a crucial time of development and survival. When those defense mechanisms no longer serve us they can become obstacles in our lives and relationships, and can create damaging emotional patterns that leave us feeling lonely and misunderstood.

Our bodies are not the only parts of ourselves that need a tune up from time to time. The mind is a powerful tool that can benefit from support and encouragement. Whether it's a job change, loss, relational issues, living with physical pain or just day-to-day stress, a supportive ear can mean the difference between just getting through the day and living the life that you long for. I have experience working with many clients especially those with eating disorders, depression and anxiety disorders including OCD. For a quick response, please email instead of calling for questions or to set an appointment.