Therapists in Melrose Park, IL

Our life's work is helping clients achieve a better sense of self and happiness...more recently we've recognized that without good mental health providers, finding this balance in life can be more difficult and stressful. As a result, we tend toward an Integrative approach and help our clients transform into the people they want to be. We see each client as an individual with many parts to their identity. Utilizing a holistic and systemic approach we help clients reintegrate the parts of themselves to function better as individuals and within their systems. Our focus tends toward a systems based approach using behavior methods.

Smart Love Family Services is a team of experienced psychologists, social workers, and professional counselors providing supportive relationship-based psychotherapy. Our approach recognizes that all people are born with an innate potential and desire to be happy, to feel good about themselves, and to experience close, positive loving relationships, but often times learned self-sabotaging patterns can get in the way. We help people create the kind of life that they want for themselves by turning away from self-sabotaging behaviors, and turning towards self-caretaking and constructive coping choices for a more fulfilling life.

For many years, I have been helping my clients to lead happier and more fulfilling lives. One of my main psychotherapy approaches is cognitive-behavioral therapy, a well-established, efficient and effective form of psychotherapy. It directly targets the patient's thinking, and behavior, patterns that are producing psychological problems, and teaches the patient to change those patterns. In marital and family therapy, I help the parties to communicate better with one another and to reach agreements acceptable to all. If the children have behavior problems, I often help the parents to become more effective disciplinarians.

Does your life seem to be less fulfilling and you do not know why? Look no further. Your best life is waiting. I work to provide a safe space and collaborate with clients on finding their inner strengths to utilize them in building resiliency. I work to guide children ages four and older, adolescents, adults, couples, and first responders to reach their goals and experience a happier life. Given my experience working in emergency rooms, outpatient, residential and schools, I understand how the impact of these challenges can often leave people feeling unable to participate in life roles that lead to life satisfaction.

I have extensive experience in helping individuals of many backgrounds rise above the inevitable challenges of life. I have assisted people just like you to access and utilize the personal, emotional/mental, and spiritual coping skills that help individuals, couples and families address issues that cause inner pain and turmoil. I have a PhD in Clinical Social Work, a Masters in Jurisprudence both from Loyola University and a AM from the University of Chicago. I am licensed in Illinois, Arizona and Puerto Rico providing in-person (depending on my residence at the time) and Telehealth sessions.

My career has focused on working with children from birth through their teen years and their families. Whether impacted by trauma and attachment issues, behavioral concerns or managing difficult emotions, my goal is to help you and your family get back on track sharing laughter, joy and connection.

If you are trying to better understand your child or help them through a difficult time; I offer families the support and nurture to grow stronger together. Too often children can be labeled by behaviors when they are struggling to communicate something valuable. I assist parents in exploring the meaning behind these behaviors by taking time to reflect on the relationships, interactions, and care giving responses to improve the overall quality of the relationship.

As the parent of a struggling child or teen, you may wonder what you can do to help them feel better. I’m here to provide you and your family the support and guidance that will help you gain a deeper understanding of your child, and feel more connected to them. I am passionate and experienced in helping children, teenagers, and their families overcome life's challenges. I have seen many children and teens struggle to express or articulate their emotions. That’s what I am here for. I find playful ways to help children express their inner world while guiding parents to also be curious to what is under their behavior.

LifeSpan Counseling & Psychological Services offers services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. I believe that we all must weather challenges throughout life, and sometimes we need assistance to endure and make sense of these trials in a way that helps us to grow into the best versions of ourselves. My goal as a therapist is to assist children, adolescents, adults, and familes through these times by helping them achieve better understandings of personal choices, strengths, and resilience. In this way, clients come to see themselves as individuals that are capable of change in order to live fulfilling lives.

Thank you for clicking here and taking a moment to learn about those available to help and support your own mental health. To tell you a little bit about myself, I have spent the past 20 years working with children, adolescents, families and older adults. I've specialized in helping people work through trauma, unexpected life changes and the challenges that day to day life presents. I've worked with people having difficulties with Depression, Anxiety and other mood disorders. I've been in practice as a social worker since 2007 and in private practice since 2011 .

We are a therapy group practice specializing in child / adolescent and parenting issues. We also have a few therapists that offer individual adult counseling. We practice only evidence based therapy models, so you and your child will learn coping skills toward better emotional regulation. We are experts in building rapport with your child / teen and motivating them to gain mastery over their anxiety, as well as a variety of other common struggles. Our aim is a solution focused, strength based approach, that empowers kids and parents to be their best selves. We also provide executive function tutoring, reading support and IEP help.

As a parent, you want your child to be happy and successful. You want a calm, peaceful home where everyone feels safe and comfortable. If your child is sad, irritable, withdrawn, isolating, not sleeping, complaining of stomachaches or headaches, not getting the grades you know they can achieve or they just don't seem like themselves, our team of child and adolescent therapists will do everything in their power to help your child get back on track and feel better. Our therapists are easy to relate to and they get good results.

Very rarely in our lives are we given the opportunity and the space to truly look at ourselves, where we have been, and the person we are looking to become. At Kate Giandonato & Associates, we create an environment where you can safely look at yourself, relationships, and potential barriers to achieving your goals. Our relationship-based training in Social Work + Child Development has given us the background to notice and work through the conflicting messages, thoughts and emotions present not only in the parent-child relationship, but in every relationship. We work with our clients to better understand and negotiate these most important relationships.

I work with all aged clients. I have long -term school experience: teacher, counselor, administrator. I enjoy all ages.Many people enjoy my mix of therapeutic and personal coaching styles. During the years, I have advanced my training into divorce mediation and custody mediation. I have also expanded my clientelle to include people who have long-term illness with pain. I work with health issues to help people learn to better adapt to their condition while also finding and concentrating on creating healthy lifestyle choices and personal calmness. I consider my background in addiction as a pathway to help people achieve wellness.

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.

I specialize in the assessment and treatment of behavior problems in children and adolescents, as well as depression and anxiety in individuals of all ages. I also specialize in the treatment of relationship problems and the psychological management of acute and chronic medical disorders, particularly cardiovascular disorders and encopresis. I help people gain insights into their difficulties and teach them skills that will facilitate the resolution of their difficulties. When requested, I confer with attending physicians and, in the case of minors, with their teachers and/or school social workers. I am on the medical staff of Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.

I hold a Doctorate Degree in Counselor Education and Supervision and I am a licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). I am a certified Integrative Mental Health Professional and a certified Mental Health and Nutrional Clinical Specialist. In addition, I am certified in neuropsychotherapy, and Trauma Therapy. I have extensive professional experience using DBT with children & adults with relationships issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, autism, intellectual disabilities, ADHD, & parent coaching. I worked in residential, hospitals, private practice, supervision, parenting education, couples, family and substance use therapy.

" I believe it is important to work collaboratively with clients, offering hope and guidance in addressing and resolving problems of living. I assist individuals, couples and families to feel happier and more in control of their lives by engaging them sensitively, with due attention to each person's unique circumstances and personal strengths. Providing education about mental health issues and feedback about the successes and failures of the various solutions that clients have tried are central to my approach."