Therapists in Winnetka, IL

I believe an open and honest therapeutic relationship is the foundation of success in therapy. I work to provide trusting and consistent relationships with clients to explore feelings and develop coping strategies. With 20+ years of experience and training in several modalities of therapy, I provide a safe environment that is designed to help facilitate healing and change. I feel that therapy is a unique partnership that focuses on your personal goals and objectives. My ability to engage individuals in the change process through talk, play, and art therapies contributes to working out long-term solutions.

Life is not easy. There are constant worries, so much to do while not enough time, and it’s easy to feel lost or alone. Despite wanting to change, many people find themselves stuck, feeling sad, anxious, and lonely. Figuring out how to communicate, feel more connected, and get your needs met in a relationship often takes more understanding of yourself and learning some new skills. Feelings of anxiety, worry, stress, and sadness may signal the need for a change. Navigating change and the mix of emotions is stressful enough; it does not have to be lonely. Sharing the burden and journey of change makes an incredible difference.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I provide a nonjudgmental and safe therapeutic environment for my clients and I value client-therapist alliance above anything else. I have a direct yet empathetic therapy style, collaborating with my clients to help achieve their goals. I love working with couples who struggle with communication and connection, who want to learn how to reconnect or "fight better". I also love empowering partners to find their voice and express their needs in a relationship.

Individuals can lead a happier, more productive life when they are engaged in the therapy process. I specialize in assisting individuals who are experiencing life transitions including divorce, illness, bereavement, and change of careers. I also treat depression, anxiety, addictions (including substance abuse), trauma, and a variety of other psychological concerns. I routinely work with individuals' physicians and a variety of other practitioners to create a comprehensive treatment plan. I am an anger management specialist, certified by the National Association for Anger Management Specialists as well as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC). I am also a certified EMDR therapist.

My overall goal is to facilitate personal insight to help you achieve the inner peace and balance you need to be the person you want to be. I have a genuine interest in providing a safe and confidential space free of judgment to assist individuals and families cope with life's stressors. At a pace based on your needs, we will work together to develop strategies and skills built on your strengths, personality, and experience to help you be the person you want to be. The treatment I provide is unique to each client.

Since 2017 I have worked with children, adolescents and adults with a special focus in trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and disordered eating. Whether you are seeking therapy for a specific problem, undesired pattern, or relationship discord, I strive to create a therapeutic alliance with you to promote positive change. I have specialized training in FBT (Family Based Treatment) for eating disorders and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). If working with a child/adolescent, I believe in bridging the therapy space to the home, and will closely collaborate with caregivers to enhance therapeutic progress.

I work with adult individuals and couples who feel overwhelmed by the pressures of life and unsure how to navigate the complexities of personal, relational, and professional challenges. I help my clients discover what matters most to them and build the courage, communication skills, and compassion to live in alignment with those things.

I am passionate about working with individuals, couples and occasionally the entire family. Whether I am currently working with an individual or couple, at whatever stage of life or relationship they may be in, I am always keenly interested in learning about their relationships. Connection to others is the underlying foundation for psychological and emotional health. Psychological health and strong connections enable people to not simply enjoy their own lives, but use their talents to meet the world's needs. This is my true calling, to help individuals, couples and families to lead their very best lives.

You've come this far in life, but now you're at a crossroads. You may be facing a new set of challenges in physical health, relationships, or other aspects of life. I listen with compassion and share coping strategies with adults dealing with life stress or with chronic illness.

We all have expectations of life and what it is supposed to be like, but our expectations may not match our reality. It is not uncommon to feel stuck or overwhelmed. You may be struggling to cope with the effects of trauma or feelings of worry, or hopelessness. You just want to get control of your life back. I understand how difficult it can be to find a therapist. During our sessions, I will help you work through and help you challenge negative thoughts that may be holding you back. I love working with others and watching their growth when people feel supported and validated!

Your teen might not need therapy but they want help with goals and to learn about themselves. With coaching, they get that plus cheerleading and accountability to discover who they truly are. Your Gen Zer is ready to develop into an aligned version of themselves. Whether it’s to be an Olympic athlete or to make the high school swim team. To get into an elite university or to explore the world. I help them figure out goals that match the future version of themselves so that they can live the life they desire.

Do you feel that anxiety, stress and panic are taking a toll on you body and the mind? My approach to therapy is to create a safe space where you can explore and heal the difficult and painful issues that are showing up in your life. Together we will move beyond problem-solving into releasing the mistaken beliefs and core unresolved issues behind your symptoms. My body-centered and mindfulness approach allows me to work directly with your nervous system to address symptoms like anxiety, racing thoughts, and irrational fears as well as feeling stuck, depressed and unavailable or unresponsive to life and relationships.

This is your journey! You already have ideas, knowledge and strengths you are bringing to our work together. You can already envision a better life for yourself. Maybe something is getting in your way and keeping you from enjoying the loving connection with family members or friends that you hope to have. Maybe your goal is to support your young child and grow in your parenting skills as your child moves through challenging life events. Perhaps an external catalyst is causing you to re-think your current path in life...a work change, a relationship shift. How will you make the healthiest choices for yourself moving forward?

It is not always easy to admit when we need help – and then to ask for it. Taking the step to seek therapy is an important one, and I want to help make it a positive experience for you. Sometimes our worlds on the inside and on the outside can leave us with overwhelming feelings that may not be easy to manage on our own, and you don’t have to. As you work with me, you will find that I am compassionate and easy to talk to. I support clients in a number of areas, including: trauma; questions around identity and expression; relationships; family of origin; life transitions; anxiety; and depression, to name a few.

Does it feel like something has to change? Maybe things don’t feel as easy or as fulfilling as they used to? Life might even feel overwhelming and it’s getting more difficult to cope with the stress. If you have ever thought "I can't keep going on like this," it might be time to explore professional counseling.

I provide specialized interventions for clients struggling with a variety of challenges including peer relationships, mood, and career changes. My clinical focus is working with individuals with anxiety and ADHD. Through a warm and collaborative approach, I address unique concerns and support you or your child in learning skills to better function in day-to-day life, building peer relationships, gaining confidence, and overcoming challenges.

Hello, I'm Dr. Chris Chroniak. For 38 years I have assisted individuals struggling with depression, stress and anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, divorce, OCD, a relationship or lack of one, as well as numerous other psychological and emotional issues. I begin therapy by developing a warm and genuine relationship with my client. We then work together to explore and work through the underlying issues that block growth and cause pain or discomfort. I also teach my clients practical and effective tools that help them deal with painful and troubling thoughts and feelings, as they occur, moment by moment.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, ADHD, depression, trauma, or grief? Facing these challenges can leave you feeling weighed down, making daily life more difficult. During these times, having a compassionate ally can make all the difference. At Monarch Insight Therapy, I provide a warm and supportive space where your well-being is my top priority. Empathy and understanding are at the heart of my work, and I also believe in the healing power of lightheartedness and humor. Together, we'll navigate your journey toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Through research, education and clinical services, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is one of the nation's leading relationship-based behavioral health organizations committed to strengthening and healing the whole family system by bringing together the right partners to support children, adults, couples and families across the lifespan. As researchers, educators and therapists, we work with our clients and PARTNER TO SEE CHANGE. By weaving together 175 therapists and therapists-in-training, we create a high quality, collaborative system of behavioral health care. One that gets results.