Gottman Method Therapists in Skokie, IL

I am a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, Night Eating Syndrome, Traumatic Stress, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder. I am particularly interested in the relationship between traumatic stress and eating pathology as well as trauma and sleep. I also specialize in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, DBT PE, Exposure and Response Prevention, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Written Exposure Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, and EMDR. I am an Assistant Professor at the Northwestern University Medical School in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences.

I am an individual and couples therapist in Skokie. I have worked extensively with adult clients suffering from anxiety, OCD, panic disorder, depression, and relationship issues. I have also worked with families in distress and children experiencing difficulties at home and in school. I am certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and take the time to form unique, quality relationships with each and every client.

Welcome! I specialize in addressing mood concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression), family-of-origin difficulties, and relational traumas. I have over a decade of experience working in different settings, including community and hospital clinics, three university counseling centers, and private practice. I work with individuals and couples across the lifespan, and I have particular expertise in supporting undergraduate and graduate students, as well as early career professionals. Given my research and clinical training in career development, I frequently work with clients navigating work transitions and high-stress occupations.

Sometimes, people are overwhelmed by the thought of changing feelings, behaviors, and patterns that may have long histories or that have resisted previous efforts. I firmly believe therapy offers solid reasons to have hope, as one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is the time and space for healing and growth. It also offers a valuable way of understanding the dynamics of change, wherein small, gradual strides assume their genuine and crucial importance. Additionally, setbacks are recognized as a natural and manageable part of the change process rather than a denial of it.

When I begin to work with a new client, my goal is to understand each client and see his or her strengths, abilities, and positive qualities. Very often new clients, especially children or teens, are so used to thinking or hearing about their problems that they themselves seem to forget their own positive traits and attributes. I really enjoy helping foster resiliency among my clients, helping them recognize their capacities to cope, heal, and move beyond feeling stuck or powerless. My approach is very effective with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, low self esteem, and feeling overwhelmed in life.

My approach to psychotherapy is holistic, integrating mind body and spirit, through a variety of modalities. My personal belief system influences my work. Specifically, I believe that as individuals, we continually bring forth new possibilities. People come to therapy with wounds. But it is in the wounds that the light shines in. In therapy, we learn we need not fear the places where one feels stuck, overwhelmed or enslaved. My diverse background has deepened my understanding for those wrestling with existential, spiritual and religious belonging, life transitions, sexual orientation, relational challenges and childhood traumas.

Are you ready to make a change? "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." Instead of ignoring problems, work with me to explore your challenges, set goals, and build on your strengths. Learn how to gain innovative ways of coping with life stressors. I incorporate approaches that will be most beneficial to the individual, couple, or family. I take a direct interactive collaborative approach. I believe our counseling relationship is important to your growth. The goal is to lead you to a more satisfied and balanced life.

Illinois Behavioral Health Group (IBHG) is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive, and personalized care to individuals and families across the lifespan. We emphasize the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs. In collaboration with you, our clinicians develop personalized treatment plans to foster lasting behavioral change and help guide you on your journey toward self-fulfillment. We are committed to providing a supportive environment to help you live a more meaningful, happier, and healthier life.

Our most important relationships are also often those we struggle with. I am an expert listener, advisor, and facilitator and, working together, we’ll turn struggles into opportunity and strife into increased connection.

With a down-to-earth, and empathic approach, I work with clients to create a relationship built on trust where clients can feel heard, understood, and truly known. Therapy is about helping you work through your own problems through exploring your past experiences, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. My goal is not to fix you, but rather to help you work through your struggles and create a more meaningful life. My practice focuses on couples and individual counseling. Clients frequently present with depression, anxiety, relationship problems, family conflicts, grief, life transition concerns, and a multitude of other issues.

Therapy is a place to be with what hurts while stepping into being fully yourself. In the presence of a skillful, non-judgmental, compassionate therapist, you will have the opportunity to face these aspects of yourself so that new ways of living emerge.

In practice for over 40 years, I have a great deal of experience with adolescents, adults and couples. Area of specialization working with perpetrators of and family members impacted by domestic violence. Anxiety and life adjustments are also an area of specialty. Retired as high school social worker, I've worked with hundreds of adolescents and families. It is my belief that emotional energy is finite and that helping you in achieving balance can be so very helpful in finding solutions to emotional distress. Jazz trumpet is my avocation and I work to pass along the lessons I have learned relating to persistence and mindfulness.

It's a privilege to assist individuals and couples who want to make their lives better. I love my work, even more than when I received my initial social work degree. Returning to school later to get my doctorate and teach, I always maintained a private practice. In a nutshell, my philosophy is that I partner with my clients to figure out what they can do to improve their relationships and sense of well-being. Though I have a special interest in infertility and incest survivorship, I work with individuals and couples who struggle with any number of life challenges.

During life's challenging moments, most of us benefit from the support of a non judgmental guide. People have told me they feel safe with me. Whether you are dealing with work/school stress, struggling with anxiety or depression, coping with parenting, experiencing loss, or are looking for support with a relationship, I can help you to better understand stuck areas in your life. I see individuals, couples, adolescents and families. I have an interactive, supportive, and open approach. When working with individuals, we will work together to gain greater self understanding and discover workable solutions.

*I am unable to accept new clients at this time* I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adult individuals, couples, and families. My areas of expertise are with emerging adults dealing with the unique challenges of transitioning into adulthood, couples in conflict or for whom trauma histories exist for one or both partners, and women coping with balancing the many roles they occupy. If you feel disconnected, either from yourself or others, I will join you in a process of being present and experiencing the transformative power of being seen and heard so that you can begin to see and hear your true self.

360 therapy is a group of expert therapists focused on helping you manage and overcome the challenges in your life. As our name suggests, we take a holistic approach, looking at how social, biological and psychological factors influence emotional well being. 360 Therapy offers men's, women's, couple's, family and group counseling. Our clinician team has many year's experience in a wide range of issues, from Addiction, ADHD and Anxiety, to Depression, Eating Disorder and Trauma. We accept several major insurance plans, and we have a sliding scale fee program if needed.

When you or your child/teen is struggling, you want strategies to combat challenges NOW. At North Shore Family Services, we empower kids, teens, and adults to learn tools, so they can succeed independently. Our goal is for children, teens, adults, parents, and couples to learn skills to be successful with school, peers, work, and family- long after therapy ends. We assist with IEP and 504 plans to help our children/teen clients succeed where they spend most of their day- out of their parents' sight. Parents are our partners in helping kids and teens learn life skills.

How many of those faulty narratives do you hold in your head, that are keeping you from moving forward? You are the one who knows yourself better than anyone else. So how does this process works? By sharing your story and being curious, I can help you connect the dots between your thoughts, emotions, impulses, behaviors and blind spots. I want to understand what shaped you and the patterns that contributed to how you see yourself. We will embrace this excursion collaboratively.

You are the expert on your experience, I simply serve as a guide to the process. - Therapy is a partnership between you and me, (and my corgi Bennett who may make an appearance now and then - don’t worry, he’s bound by HIPAA too). - I am honored to be in a position where I am able to support my community. The community served include those struggling with a variety of relationship, intimacy, and sexual issues. I also work well with those who are navigating cultural transitions, such as self-identity / exploration, marriage, blended families, immigrants, and refugees. Navigating various domains of life is tough and you are not alone.