I am a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience in helping people find solutions to their problems. Over the years, I have been told by clients that they really feel that I am listening to them and trying to understand what is going on in their lives and how they feel. Clients have also told me that they do not feel any sense of judgment, but rather that I accept them for who they are and where they are in their life’s journey. My style is empathetic and solution focused. I will spend time asking you questions in order to get to know you and try to find out what is at the heart of your issue. Together, we will talk about possible avenues you may want to take, or changes you may want to consider. I may give you some “homework” assignments…things to write out or think about, worksheets to complete, or even techniques/exercises to practice in your own time so that some of what we discuss in our sessions is reinforced. Most of all, I will be an objective listener, helping you to gain insight into what is going on with you, so that you are able to make the choices and changes you want to, in your own time. I look forward to working with you!

Donald (Don) Shawler ia a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) who uses an integrative approach to working with adults dealing with depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. This integrative approach involves a person centered technique to help clients identify and address issues in an accepting, non-judgmental and safe environment. Using Cognitive based techniques, clients are taught to re-frame thoughts that hold them back and impact emotional and mental well being. Mr. Shawler also helps clients address anger issues by teaching anger management skills. With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Shawler has been successful working with many individuals dealing with a wide range of issues.

Please note that I do not accept insurance because billing an insurance company requires that I diagnose/label you with a major mental illness so I can bill them for your "treatment. They also demand a complete focus on symptoms of this "illness" and force every question to fit their disease model and justify your continued therapy. This means 80% of your time in treatment is me staring at my computer screen, checking little boxes saying I asked you all the disease questions, and then an AI puts it all together into something for which they will HOPEFULLY reimburse me. Perhaps you have experienced this when you visit your Primary Care Physician, and he/she stares at their tablet the entire time, rushing you through the questions as they tap each question on the list. I work under a strengths/solutions model in my counseling. I help you find the resources to make positive changes in the direction YOU want to go. ABOUT ME: Thank you for sharing information about yourself here. I'm glad that you reached out for help. My name is Larry Westenberg, and I am a licensed therapist with over 40 years of experience in counseling. You can read more about my background, education, experience, and therapy approach by clicking on my name on this page. I started out on a 'back ward' of a state mental hospital, counseling extremely mentally ill people and helping them to access their resources, use their strengths and improve the quality of their lives. It was a tremendous challenge. At that time, I had my bachelor’s degree in psychology, and no other training. The State system allowed people to do counseling who had no training in counseling whatsoever. In fact, many of them had never been to college. I discovered the 'uneducated counselors' were usually MUCH more effective at helping their clients. They were not 'full of themselves' and their degrees. Instead, they used what they knew about helping people, did what they could, and learned to help people by figuring out what worked as they went along. They also expected the same from the people they were counseling - that they would use the resources they had, do their best, and get better at improving their lives. Meanwhile, the majority of the 'professional therapists' were lost in their long explanations and mythologies that tried to explain the patient's behavior, and they often developed bizarre theories and treatment methods they imagined would make the patients get better. When you make a connection to another person in counseling, you offer them a safe space to "step out of themselves," and discuss their own behavior from a different perspective of detached observation. Recognizing their own skills and the tools they have can help them make meaningful changes strategically, that utilize their own abilities. I specialize in trauma, anxiety and panic, ADD, relationships and finding meaning in life. I have extensive training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) - which is bashed as unscientific non-sense on the internet. This criticism is thrown from the allegedly "Scientific field" of psychology which is founded on the idea of repressed urges of the id and wanting to kill your father to take possession of your mother. Not the best scientific theory for validating your experiences of life. I am a published author in the field of Belief Change, Ericksonian Hypnosis and NLP. I enjoy helping others uncover treasure within themselves. I don't work with lab rats. I work with people. I would appreciate the opportunity to work with you. I have worked in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization and crisis intervention treatment. I have worked with LGBTQ+ individuals since long before we had an acronym. I have supported individuals in compartmentalizing alternative lifestyles so that they don't embarrass themselves at work or in social situations. I help some people accept the fact their family may be a toxic gaggle of illnesses and it really is okay to not be in contact. I help others discover how they create anxiety in themselves and teach a variety of skills for managing emotional states. My passion is helping people find insights into HOW they do the behaviors they do, so they can more easily shift the behaviors to get the same results - or different results. I also like helping people discover how past traumas and negative events can "echo" into present interactions and circumstances. Rather than label this a disease, I show people how to notice these connections and respond less to the resonance in the present. I laugh frequently and I may even tease about symptoms as an attempt to help you shift your perspective on your issues. I do not make fun of problems. I take my work seriously, but I will never take LIFE seriously - because it has this surprise-ending feature. I would be delighted to meet with you and find out if I can support you in making the shifts and changes that will help you build the life you desire.

I am licensed in Illinois with 18 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I'm Brenda Rice, LCSW, and I've spent more than three decades helping people heal and reclaim their lives. I began my career in 1987 working with teen mothers, and soon discovered a deep calling to support children, adolescents, and families navigating ADHD, behavioral challenges, trauma, and crisis situations. Since 2007, my work has centered on adults overcoming anxiety, depression, and the lasting impact of trauma-the area I'm most passionate about and consider my true expertise. I believe healing starts with empowerment, and from our very first session, you'll know that you set the pace. My role is to walk beside you with compassion, empathy, expertise, and genuine care, never to push you where you're not ready to go. Helping people release shame, rebuild self-worth, and step into a life of confidence and peace is both my purpose and my honor. I'm grateful for the opportunity to know you and support you on your healing journey.

I am licensed in Illinois with 47 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, & eating disorders. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Illinois with 8 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Illinois with 16 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with grief and loss, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.

I am licensed in Illinois with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & coping with life changes. I also have experience working with executive and professional coaching. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in Illinois with 3 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, family conflicts, motivation, self esteem, confidence, & career difficulties. I also have experience working with coping with life changes. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I bring nearly two decades of dedicated experience supporting individuals navigating life’s challenges . My clinical approach centers on helping clients work through stress, anxiety, and trauma with compassionate, evidence-based strategies. I take a strengths based approach and am committed to create a supportive, collaborative environment where clients can develop meaningful insights, build resilience, and cultivate sustainable emotional wellness. I approach each therapeutic relationship with deep respect for individual experiences and a genuine belief in personal growth and transformation. I aim to empower individuals to understand their inner experiences, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and move toward more fulfilling lives. Every person's journey is unique, and I'm honored to walk alongside my clients as they navigate their path to healing.

Hi, I’m Shelly! I’m a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a passion for helping clients build confidence, manage emotions, and reach their full potential. For over 20 years, I’ve supported individuals through challenges such as anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, and life transitions—helping them find healthier ways to cope and connect. After earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University, I moved to Chicago and attended the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, where I earned my master’s degree in 1999 and my doctorate in 2004. From the beginning, my work has focused on understanding the emotional world of the clients that I work with and helping strengthen communication and resilience. I believe every one of us has the inner strength to grow and thrive. My approach is warm, collaborative, and rooted in compassion and evidence-based practices like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). I work closely with you to uncover what’s behind the emotional or behavioral struggles and to develop tools that foster understanding, balance, and confidence. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you feel heard and understood—and where you feel guided and empowered. Reaching out for therapy is a courageous step, and I’m honored to walk alongside you on this journey toward healing and growth.

As a licensed clinical social worker with 20 years of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional issues. My practice focuses on helping clients address depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and life transitions with compassion and expertise. I am particularly passionate about working with women, older adults, and individuals experiencing anxiety, isolation, or life transitions. My approach centers on fostering self-love, exploring life purpose, and developing resilient coping strategies. Drawing from evidence-based practices, I create a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, heal from past challenges, and cultivate personal growth. I understand that each person's journey is unique, and I'm committed to providing personalized, empathetic guidance tailored to individual needs. My therapeutic work emphasizes understanding caregiver stress, women's issues, and the nuanced emotional experiences that emerge during significant life stages. I believe in empowering clients to develop deeper self-understanding and meaningful strategies for emotional well-being.

Many people come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or disconnected from themselves after years of carrying too much. You may be navigating chronic stress, past experiences that still live in your body, or the pressure of holding everything together while caring for others. Therapy with me is a space to slow down, breathe, and feel supported as you begin to make sense of what your nervous system has been responding to all along. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in both clinical experience and real-world understanding. I work with adults who are managing anxiety, burnout, complex trauma, and life transitions, especially when stress feels constant or healing feels out of reach. Together, we focus on building safety, strengthening emotional regulation, and reconnecting you to your body’s natural capacity for resilience—at a pace that honors your lived experiences. I integrate talk therapy with somatic and mindfulness-based practices to help reduce overwhelm, increase clarity, and support sustainable change. Our work is collaborative and practical, centered on tools you can use in everyday life—not just in session. Whether you’re learning how to set boundaries, process long-held experiences, or simply feel more present in your own life, therapy is a space where you don’t have to carry it alone. Healing doesn’t mean pushing harder or “fixing” yourself. It means being met with care, understanding, and respect as you learn new ways to relate to stress, your body, and your story. My role is to walk alongside you, offering guidance, information, tools, structure, and compassion as you move toward greater ease, balance, and self-trust.