Substance Use Therapists in Park Ridge, IL

I am a Health Psychologist who approaches clients with empathy. I primarily use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with an influence of Adlerian theory, to be goal-oriented and positive-focused in treating depression, anxiety, physical illnesses, sleep problems, weight management, recovery from substance use and other lifestyle conditions. I help people overcome their fears and resistance to change through the use of Motivational Interviewing (MI). This helps remove barriers to achieving goals and achieving them successfully. My purpose in my work is to help each client become the best version of their 'self'.

I offer collaborative psychotherapy for anxiety, depression, and substance use, using naturalistic research-supported approaches that enhance awareness, access strengths, and build skills. These approaches - which vary according to individual needs and preferences - include mindfulness, depth-oriented counseling, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Existential Psychotherapy. Particular concerns may include worry, panic, obsession, procrastination, grief, esteem, frustration, habits, and/or motivation. The overarching model promotes psychological growth, transcendence of purpose-limiting "world views," and personal empowerment.

Life is oftentimes unsatisfactory and stressful which causes emotional pain and suffering in our daily lives. We learn to cope with this suffering by clinging to negative thoughts, feelings, and reactivities that seem inescapable. My purpose in therapy is to bring an empathic and compassionate awareness and understanding of these negative attachments and provide practices to generate a positive wholesome sense of self and well-being.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan. I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults. We all experience moments in life when we become stuck in unhelpful patterns and have a difficult time seeing the direction to move forward. One of my goals is to help you identify areas that you are stuck in and help you navigate in a direction that aligns with your values and helps meet your goals. To me therapy is a collaborative endeavor, and it is my goal to understand your needs, values, and aspects of your culture in our work together.

I enjoy working with adults and teens using a positive approach to managing mental health. I have experience with a variety of presenting issues such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, depression, substance use, and process addictions. I believe that in order to make lasting changes in emotional and behavioral health it is important to improve the relationship with our Self and integrate positive coping strategies. My approach to therapy is an openness to talk about what is working, what is not, and finding ways to make changes without feeling pressured. Therapy is your time to be your authentic self!

I have been helping people overcome life's challenges for 20+ years. I utilize a strength-based individual supportive approach to life stressors, family conflict, and behavioral issues. I work with adults, adolescents, and families struggling with a full range of issues, including those related to drug and alcohol addiction. I have experience with the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems, drug courts, the Health and Human Services systems, and the local school systems. I have provided individual and group therapy to the criminal justice population, as well as group therapy to those involved in out-patient substance abuse programs.

I believe that counseling can be a space for you to explore the obstacles that are getting in your way of achieving your goals. In treatment we will focus on what is working in your life and build from those successes to help you make the change you want to make.

All of us experience the feeling of being stuck in some way, perhaps frustrated by challenging life circumstances, discouraged by unfulfilling relationships or just generally stirred up by the vague sense that something is just not working. Through the course of my experience, I have come to believe deeply in the power of the therapeutic relationship and the way in which a collaboration with a thoughtful, compassionate and dedicated therapist can be the catalyst for real change.

I provide positive and action oriented, directive therapy to help you through depression, anxiety, relationship,and school and work issues. Treatment is focused on achieving goals-emotional, spiritual and physical to live an abundant life. Life does not have to be hard! I am an advocate of positive psychology and the Law of Attraction--there is no upside to negativity, I help my clients get back on a positive path.

At The Juniper Center you will find LGBTQ centered care. We are owned and directed by a therapist and a member of our community. Your name, your pronouns, your identity belong to you. Helping you heal belongs with us. You don't want to have to hide any of who you are. Whether your gender does not match your body, your identity does not match your gender, you love someone born the same sex as you or you love someone who is working their way through these issues, we are here to help. Perhaps you are a parent wanting to understand your child, or to help your child find a positive way through confusing issues.

People often come to therapy seeking strength and motivation to improve their lives and simply to feel better. I will work with you to discover and connect with what motivates you in a warm and practical atmosphere that supports self-acceptance, growth and confidence in your own unique abilities. A strong connection with self (values, boundaries, strengths, wants and needs) is the foundation for our meaningful connections with others. Trauma, life transitions, and the general messiness of life can sometimes require us to re-connect with self in a new way. Talk therapy can provide the space to create new connections.

I treat children, adolescents, couples and family in a variety of therapeutic means. I have used cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, EMDR, behavioral, and eclectic therapies in addition to others. I also have experience working with behavioral, mood, anxiety, conduct and other specialties. I appreciate diversity and love working with others of various cultures, abilities and races.

Do you feel like your life is “off track?” Do you struggle with stress anxiety or depression? Painful thoughts and feelings can be like quicksand, but we can work together to help maintain your balance. I offer a welcoming and encouraging environment and use primarily Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I will work with you on living your values through your actions and beliefs. We’ll take a holistic view of your strengths and resources and incorporate them into an action plan to improve your life. Bringing mindfulness and self-compassion to your thoughts and feelings is one of the major concepts in ACT that we’ll work on together.

Safety, trust and encouragement are imperative ingredients to a successful therapeutic relationship. As a seasoned therapist my ideal client seeks a collaborative relationship and is eager to invest in greater self-understanding and willingness to take action. Clients battling stress-related issues that compromise performance in work, school, or intimate relationships are a good match. Transforming anxiety, despair, and self-doubt into courage, inspiration, and confidence is my strength. I'm comfortable addressing thoughts that disempower or emotions that are frightening.

Mari Richko is the owner /founder of Center for Authentic Living in Park Ridge IL. a holistic hub for mental health and wellness. She has worked in the holistic health field for 25 years and applies her background in Body Focused Psychotherapy to her work with clients. She is known for treating eating disorders, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, spiritual transformation and transitions. She incorporates mindfulness, body mind acupressure, shiatsu, nervous system work, IFS( Internal Family Systems), and Traditional Chinese Medicine to facilitate a conscious connection with our inner experience, a place of curiosity and healing.

Welcome! I am open for business and taking new clients. I have virtual and in-person options available. I look forward to talking with you!

Life is messy. Relationships are messy. Parenting . . . really messy. Whatever it is that's going on, perhaps your situation is leaving you anxious, depressed, discouraged, and maybe even a little hopeless at times. I Imagine you're here because you don't want to feel this way anymore. You're ready for something - anything, really - to change. Maybe someone encouraged you to reach out because they're worried about you. Maybe you're worried too. The good news is it doesn't have to be this way. It's your life to live. Let's work together to find out who YOU are and what matters most to you.

Meghann Richko is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Yoga Therapist, and Fitness Professional. Her emphasis is on methods for managing a variety of conditions including but not limited to anxiety, depression, stress reduction, eating disorders, body image issues, mental and emotional disorders, improving nutrition, muscular skeletal issues, stress related illnesses, injury rehab and prevention, preventative health, and the psychological aspects of pain and pain management.

We are a team of experienced therapists who have special training in various areas of Behavioral Health & other life issues.