Family Systems Therapists in Oak Park, IL

I help individuals and couples develop clear strategies to reduce feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness. Those coping with marital or relationship difficulties, career transitions and parenting issues find my gentle directness helpful in improving the quality of their lives. In a calm, neutral environment, I offer clients the opportunity to understand themselves in a manner that leads to more satisfying family, marital and work relationships. I utilize family systems and cognitive behavioral therapy to help individuals and couples improve their communication skills and navigate the uncertain waters of change.

Life can be full of overwhelming challenges. Through therapy I can help you overcome these struggles and work towards meeting your own personal goals and improving your overall quality of life. I am a licensed clinical counselor trained in working with individuals and families who are looking for symptom relief, personal growth, or to improve their relationships.

I work with people who are recovering from religious trauma, deconstructing their faith, or reintegrating spirituality into their lives, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community who have been harmed by religious groups. I am dedicated to an anti-oppression approach and love to learn and grow with clients seeking similar values. I value working with teenagers and young adults to empower them care for themselves and grow in confidence. I have expertise in working with adoptive families and birth parents. I am certified in Perinatal Mental Health to guide parents navigating the intense life changes of pregnancy and parenthood.

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.

Hello! Hola! I’m Dr. Vanesa Cervantes, and I’m a Family and Child Psychologist. I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and adults. I believe that every person has the potential to thrive and overcome challenges they may be currently facing. My treatment approach is collaborative, by working together we can develop healthy coping skills, strengthen your social and emotional health and empower you to understand and manage your emotions, behaviors, and social relationships. Through our work together you can expect to also learn effective coping strategies to manage life challenges.

I believe our primary desire is to form satisfying, balanced relationships. I work from a Developmental, Attachment, Relational perspective and frequently incorporate Trauma & Family Systems Models into my work. I have extensive experience with infants, young children, teens, families & adults. When working with children I strive to work collaboratively with all relevant members in the child's life to understand & treat that child.

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 .

I have 25 years of experience as both a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor/teacher. I work with people with a wide range of emotional issues including: depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, trauma, and early attachment difficulties. I believe psychotherapy is powerful tool and works best with people who are committed to deepening their understanding of themselves and their relationships. I will work collaboratively with you and listen closely as we examine both old and emerging ways of being and managing life's challenges.

Hello. You are probably reading this as a result of an issue that has been on your mind and are hoping to find some peace or come to a resolution. I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a personable, down-to-earth approach willing to partner with you through your current struggle. I support a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic environment to discuss the thoughts and feelings that may be troubling for you. I have helped individuals, couples, and families with a vast array of mental health issues using a psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, or a family systems approach.

Welcome; I enjoy helping people cope with anxiety, depression, anger management, couple relationships, and life transitions. (divorce, loss, career change, family relationships) I have a directive, practical approach that balances understanding and support with guidance and direction. I believe that in order for therapy to be meaningful, it is important to work together and create an individualized approach which is a unique match for your concerns and style. Many people who have felt little or no progress in therapy before, have made positive changes with my active, engaged approach.

My primary goal in working with clients is to provide a compassionate, accepting, mindful space to create an opportunity for clients to work towards the person they would like to be. I support individuals and families who are chronically distressed with a commitment to honesty and compassion. I am experienced with depression, anxiety, interpersonal conflict, adjustment difficulties, family conflict, and trauma. My training is in psychodynamic and family systems therapy, and I utilize modern approaches as well to individualize treatment to client's needs.

I believe therapy is a collaborative space for folks to explore their biographies and learn to hold deeper relationships with their own self and others. Change happens when we feel safe to be curious and understanding of our patterns and choices. I invite clients to explore the intersections of their identities with me as we create a space that is brave and trusting. I see the connection between the external world and our internal experience as central to the therapy process. I'm mindful to social identities, dynamics in family systems, and the larger cultural landscape that impact a person's sense of self.

When we are able to truly understand ourselves and our relationships, we can build a life of genuine meaning and connection. Many people enter into therapy only to find themselves gaining small amounts of insight that produce little or no changes in their life. My therapeutic methods produce results that not only change the way we feel about ourselves in the world but change our behaviors. I am respectful of the fact that everyone's pace and tolerance to different interventions varies. My work is reflective of the care and respect I have for each and every client as individuals.

I believe that emotional growth is best achieved within a non judgmental, compassionate and safe therapeutic relationship. I recognize that each person is the expert on his or her life and we work collaboratively to identify areas clients would like to address. The client and I work together to examine thoughts, feelings and behaviors; we identify patterns, develop tools, and find ways to respond differently. Understanding and strengthening relationships is also a crucial part of my work with clients. Ultimately, I focus on clients' strengths and work to empower them to promote positive change, growth, and healing in their lives.

We all want to live happy and productive lives and we all have strengths that help us do this. Strengths lie in our relationships and inside of us. Sometimes blocks keep us from being able to use our strengths. I'm not currently accepting new clients, but at Chicago Center for Relationship Counseling, we have many excellent therapists who are available to help access strengths and lift blocks.

Have traumatic bonds from your childhood manifested in relationship issues in the present? Do you struggle to feel safe in your own body and regulate your emotions? I support individuals and couples who have faced trauma, depression, postpartum challenges, and relationship difficulties. My goal is to help you cultivate a sense of safety within yourself, empowering you to lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Whether you're struggling with past experiences that continue to affect your present, navigating the complexities of parenthood, or seeking to strengthen your relationships, I am here to walk alongside you.

I am a queer, second-generation immigrant Latine psychotherapist who partners with folks to navigate the demands of a society that is so often limiting and oppressive to us. I'm passionate about working with adults that were parentified as children, grew up in dysfunctional family systems, and BIPOC and queer adults that have historically felt "different." Therapy can be an opportunity to slow down and become curious about what in ourselves might need our attention. As you embark on this journey toward self-awareness, I will collaborate with you to turn toward the parts of yourself that have been disowned or burdened by pain.

As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA), I am dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life's challenges and cultivate healthier relationships. I specialize in providing compassionate and effective therapy to address a wide range of issues, including communication problems, conflict resolution, intimacy issues, parenting struggles, and mental health concerns. My approach to therapy is collaborative, empathetic, and solution-focused. I believe in creating a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions freely, while improving their overall wellbeing.

I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated from Dominican University. I have ten years of experience as a therapist. I was raised in the city of Chicago, bicultural, Spanish-speaking, and culturally sensitive. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples. My background includes working with complex trauma, anxiety disorders, depression, grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, major life changes, and the LGBTQ community.