Infertility Therapists in Skokie, IL

Do you feel like you just can't catch a break & that life keeps throwing you curveballs? Are you struggling to cope with infertility, pregnancy loss or other health concerns? Do you work in a high stress job that limits your ability to balance work and life? Are you unhappy in your relationship or because you do not yet have the partner you long for? The difficulties of life can weigh us down and limit our ability to live our lives to the fullest. It may feel like you are barely surviving when you want to be thriving. Although it may seem impossible, we will work to help you navigate life's roadblocks and carve a path to happiness.

Do you feel stuck on a roller coaster of hope and disappointment? Are you exhausted trying to stay positive while struggling to cope day to day? Are you devastated when you find out a friend had a second child while you have been desperately trying to have one? Do you avoid friends and family because you feel heartbroken and jealous of their pregnancies? Do you worry that stress is the reason you aren’t pregnant? Stress doesn't cause infertility - but infertility does cause stress! You can learn ways to cope with the stress of infertility and you deserve to enjoy your life!

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.

Each and every person is born with unique strengths and vast potential to achieve. Oftentimes, though, life's challenges get in the way. It may be external stressors, traumatic experiences or our own dysfunctional thoughts and patterns of behavior that make it difficult to live a satisfying and fulfilling life. Entering into a therapeutic relationship of acceptance and trust can serve as a turning point for achieving growth and change.

We start developing as parents way before our first is born and even before we become pregnant. We start developing as parents when we play with our dolls or play house and imagine the family we will have, the parents we are going to be. Sometimes our dreams do not become a reality. Whether you were diagnosed with infertility, experienced pregnancy loss, postpartum blues, depression, anxiety, or are struggling to connect with your baby. From conception to graduation, these processes are often emotionally charged and can take a toll on your life. Therapy can often provide the space and support necessary to regroup and recover.

In practice for 20 years, I am a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified sex therapist specializing in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders as a starting place. Often underlying these disorders are issues with relationship patterns and stress related to stage of life transitions in both the personal and professional realms. In addition, I have expertise providing support during the prenatal and postpartum period, treating sexual health/functioning concerns, working through grief, loss and the challenge of infertility. Other ares of specialization include working with new mothers over 40 and young adults.

My approach derives from psychodynamic, family systems, relational and cognitive schools of psychotherapy. I want to help my clients achieve greater clarity about their circumstances, choices, relationships, and ultimately, themselves. I am highly engaged and attuned, warm, enthusiastic and personable. I find that when clients feel seen, deeply understood, and accepted, their internal compasses become more finely tuned, enabling them to make life choices that better align with their values and personal nature. These changes become vehicles for developing new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating to others.

Healing is an imperfect process, but it is in that imperfection that we find real opportunity for growth, connection, and change. As a therapist, I strive to create these opportunities for clients as I believe we find strength and hope when we are true to ourselves. When we learn to sit with discomfort and difficult emotions, we can gain new perspectives and insights towards making lasting change. I use a relational, authentic approach to create a warm, safe environment for clients. I believe therapy should be collaborative, and I work to provide clients with the space to share their stories.

Do you struggle with anxiety, depression, or ADHD? Are you going through infertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum issues or a chronic health condition that affects your mental health? You don’t have to suffer alone and there is help available. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a time management coach, and a professional organizer. ​While I’ve worked with a wide range of clients and issues, my areas of expertise are anxiety, depression, ADHD and women’s reproductive mental health. My aim is to create a safe and supportive environment, honor each individual's unique experience and, together, work to facilitate lasting change.

I work with individuals and families addressing a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, trauma recovery, life transitions, infertility, pregnancy and postpartum, parenthood, grief and loss. I believe that we have everything we need to heal and change. I think of therapy as one tool we can use to access our inherent wisdom and ability to thrive. People I work with have described me as warm, sincere, non judgmental, and noticed that I bring a sense of humor and calm to the therapy space.

Hello and welcome to my page

I am a licensed psychotherapist with a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago, where I studied clinical social work. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults on a wide range of clinical issues including anxiety, depression, personality disorders, relationship concerns, and trauma. I am also passionate about perinatal mental health and work with new parents as they navigate the complex issues associated with planning, pregnancy, and parenthood.

Challenging life transitions such as a new school, being away from home for the first time, the loss of a loved one, the postpartum period, or navigating a fertility journey can leave us feeling overwhelmed, isolated and disconnected from our true selves. It may feel like no one understands what you’re going through or like you don’t have the energy for things that used to really matter to you. Perhaps it feels like you lost your identity. You need some relief. You’re ready to feel calmer and more hopeful. You’re ready to feel like you have the tools to handle difficult days. Most of all, you’re ready to feel like yourself again.

I believe that therapy can be a rewarding experience for everyone. As a practitioner, I work closely with my clients, using a strengths-based approach, to help create change and achieve their personal and professional goals. By engaging in the therapeutic process, my clients are able to identify problem areas in their lives and relationships, increase their ability to communicate effectively, find new ways of relating to themselves and others, as well as develop positive strategies for successful conflict resolution.

Being a human is hard! But you don’t have to manage it all by yourself. The beauty of therapy is having someone who can help you carry your load, and maybe even lighten it. I enjoy working with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds and of all ages. I have extensive experience helping children, adolescents, and adults navigate challenges related to ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, OCD, anxiety, depression, romantic and family relationships, stress, attachment, self-regulation, and adjustment to life changes.

During my past 25 years as a therapist I've worked with several clients with a variety of presenting problems, including anxiety and depression, chemical dependency, emotional abuse, sex addiction, codependency, eating disorders, and childhood trauma. I offer a supportive, confidential and safe place for you, your partner, spouse and/or family to work through obstacles, struggles, and current/past traumas to find success. It is my role to respect your values and the goal you set out to reach in therapy.

Selecting a Therapist to partner in your journey of self discovery and change is an important decision. I have over 30 years of experience treating adolescents and adults with a wide range of issues. My experience has taught me that people have a great deal of internal wisdom, but sometimes need assistance in accessing and utilizing that information. In 2012 I founded Reflections Psychotherapy: Seeing, Freeing, Being. This name mirrors many aspects of my treatment approach.

I believe that healing relationships, with others and with one's self, is the core ingredient for change in therapy. I feel that the optimal therapeutic approach with any person must be tailored to the needs of the particular individual and/or client system. Therapy should be approachable and create an environment of acceptance and self-love. In understanding human behavior, it is not so much about "good" or "bad" behavior, but trying to understand why we do what we do and to make sure our behaviors are constructive for ourselves and the relationships important to us.

As a therapist, I work well with individuals and families who are curious about themselves, our work together, and the possibilities for a healthier future. Clients often find that I am a warm, patient, curious, humorous, kind, and supportive person on their journey toward self-improvement. I am passionate about my work with clients who are LGBTQ* and I love working with gender expansive youth and adults.