Clinical Supervision and Licensed Supervisors Therapists in Skokie, IL

My career as a therapist has afforded me opportunities to work with individuals from all walks of life. I immigrated to the United States from Kiev, Ukraine and feel intimately familiar with the challenges faced by all of the groups I mentioned. I am able to work with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families and treat a wide variety of presenting issues including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, adjustment difficulties, grief / loss, relationship problems, family conflict, and addiction. I am proud member of Chicagoland’s Ukraine Community and am fluent in the Russian and Ukrainian languages.

Each of us is our own, unique universe, existing in a multiverse of connection with others. I am particularly attuned to how you and I connect, what patterns are created, what barriers exist, and what are the costs and benefits to you of maintaining or changing those. I am keenly aware how each of us is situated in a larger world of social relations, privilege, and oppression, and how those influence who we are. Through understanding and compassion, I can help you realize a more fulfilling, peaceful relationship with yourself and more satisfying relationships with others.

"Without a struggle, there can be no progress." ~ F. Douglass. It takes courage and strength for people to admit they are going through more than they can handle. If you are going through something difficult, you don't have to go through it alone. Therapy is a space where it's safe to share and reflect upon thoughts, feelings and challenges. My job as a therapist is to ensure my clients feel understood and learn to manage challenges that may come up in life. I am here to support you.

I am a solution focused therapist with 35 years of experience. My therapy style is cognitive, interactive, compassionate, and, if need be, challenging. I believe effective therapy should produce change, not just insight. I will listen to you deeply, help conceptualize the problems, patterns, and dynamics which are causing you trouble, and give you feedback. Together, we will develop a strategy for more effective functioning and a better quality of life. I have a general practice, but specialize in addictions, depression, anxiety, and couples therapy.

*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.

If you’re struggling with a challenging situation in your life, it can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be that way. You deserve to experience happiness, confidence, and inner peace. I treat adults and adolescents struggling with depression, stress and anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, relationship concerns, and attachment issues. I also provide parenting support and couples counseling. My approach involves psychodynamic psychotherapy and relational therapy. I also introduce some cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

In my practice I see adolescents and adults. I view therapy as a place where you can more fully understand yourself and your relationships and therefore be empowered to make better choices in your life. My style is informed by dynamically oriented and relational therapy. Regardless of theory, the most important part of the process is building a relationship built on trust and safety. Through this safe and supportive environment we will help you build on your strengths and problem solving skills as well as deepen your self awareness and self understanding.

Sometimes life goes awry: dreams don't work out, relationships change, tragedy strikes. Other times, things are going well and we want to continue the progress. Regardless of what's brought you here, therapy can be a great way to help. The foundation of my work is trust; I want to ensure you feel safe and comfortable in therapy. Since 2007, I've practiced in many different environments and helped thousands of patients work toward their goals. I'm cross-trained in several fields and have worked in outpatient, inpatient, and emergent settings with a variety of populations including pediatric, adolescent, and adult.

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.

Starting therapy is hard and it is important to find someone you trust and feel comfortable with. If you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, or identity/relationship issues I would love to talk with you. I have extensive experience in working with mental health concerns related to these areas, and more, and I integrate a variety of approaches and techniques into my work as a means of promoting growth and change. Therapy might not be a place for quick fixes but it can lead to lasting change. I offer free phone consultations to talk and see if we might work well together.

My name is Michelle Waters and I am a licensed counselor (LCPC) and art therapist (ATR). My passion is to help people find their inner power and cultivate the true self through art and talk therapy. I believe that creating art with my clients provides a safe space to discuss issues that might be challenging to talk about otherwise. Therapy is tough, but embedding art in that process takes some of the pressure off and helps develop positive and healthy coping skills. Some of my favorite materials to work with include ceramics, drawing, comics, painting, crochet, and sewing.

I particularly excel in working with individuals whose behavior is viewed by others as challenging or who are often given negative consequences for their choices. I work with children, adults, families, and parents/caregivers who struggle with emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and self-esteem issues. I use a CBT, strength-based and solution-focused approach, which leads to individuals feeling encouraged and excited about their futures. Individuals with whom I work tell me that my approach of looking at the whole picture allows them to feel connected, accepted, and open to support that will help them thrive.

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.

Most of my work is assessment and therapy. I love working with children and their families where the family dynamics may be creating some stress within the family system. I enjoy the process of getting children and families engaged in therapy and working together to identify the values of the children and their families. Clients who are looking to strengthen their family bonds and develop their family unit are some of my favorite things to work on. Much of my interest and experience has been around bullying and trauma, and I greatly enjoy being a part of the growth my clients make while addressing these issues.

My clients often feel overwhelmed by life's challenges and believe they lack the tools and mental resources to cope on their own. They may be dealing with big life changes, stress, anxiety or depression symptoms. Many have found that their once-helpful survival strategies no longer work and may even be counterproductive.I specialize in helping people identify and take small steps towards their goals, whether in their career, relationships, or personal growth. Together, we work to create positive, lasting change.

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.