Hello and Welcome to my page. Thank you for stopping by to take a look at what services I can provide that might be of a benefit to you. Taking that first step to start therapy can sometimes be a scary thing. Things like trust, a level of comfort, and honesty are key to having a successful therapy experience. You will find my style to be open and honest while providing a compassionate, respectful and non-judgmental soft place to fall. We will work together, with you as the lead, to develop a treatment plan of action. We will explore what you want to take away from therapy in order to empower yourself to be the best you possible. There will be occasions where we might have to tackle some difficult things, but you won't be going it alone. My approach is an eclectic one. I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all; therapy should be individually tailored to meet the person's needs. I use a medley of treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral, trauma focused care, person centered care to name just a few. I am also certified to provide therapy to the Military and Their Families. I have a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a master's degree in Education, focusing on Community Counseling. I have been a practicing clinician since receiving my license in 1999. I grew up in the Midwest, but I have lived all over the United States. I enjoy reading and golf and I am kept busy at home with two fur babies. I hope I have given you some useful information and if you like what you have read I look forward to meeting you.

I am licensed in Illinois with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois as well as a Certified Domestic Violence Professional. I have over 15 years of experience in social services/mental health settings working with a variety of individuals, children, families and couples from various backgrounds. I have worked extensively with domestic violence, sexual assault, mental health, child welfare/foster care, alternative schooling, trauma/abuse, and family issues. I work with my clients to ensure that they feel comfortable to share in a safe and open environment. The key to a healthy therapeutic relationship is meeting the client where they are and then growing from there. I look forward to working with you!

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.

Licensed since 2008, James earned his master’s degree in education from DePaul University in Chicago. Upon graduating he was accepted into the community counseling program at DePaul University. James has worked with children (5-12), adolescents (13-18), young adults (19-24), adults, families, and couples. He has facilitated groups for Autism spectrum patients. He supports first responders including Firefighter Behavioral Health which assist in suicidal prevention for first responders. In addition, he works assisting police departments with Critical stress debriefings. As a trained mediator through DePaul University, James can assist couples who may have differences which require more than just couples’ therapy. James believes therapy is a joint effort between therapist and client. He has a proven track record of success as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and as your therapist, he is committed to provide you the best care possible. Every person is unique which is why there are many different treatments approaches available to you. James is committed to make every effort to provide effective care, your commitment is needed as well to achieve success. Together you and James will create a treatment plan that will be a roadmap to your successful journey. Any barriers to success will be discussed and the plans adjusted as needed. You and James will discuss progress and challenges in an honest, trusting, and confidential manner in order to achieve your desired outcome. James is a certified hypnotherapist and can help with the cessation of smoking, anxiety reduction, weight loss, and gaining confidence. In his spare time James is a wildlife artist and wood carver. His work is displayed in art galleries and online.

I am a passionate yet pragmatic individual who brings a person-center, trauma-informed approach to the therapeutic relationship with each person I encounter. In my 22 years of practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker I have worked with persons struggling with anxiety, depression, inter-personal relationship struggles, life challenges including grief, addictions and complex trauma. I believe in unconditional positive regard for each person I encounter and support their journey to discovering their strengths using a solution focused approach, as well as journaling and coloring. Additionally I am a certified, advanced addictions counselor with over 25 years of experience. I look forward to working with you.

I am licensed in Illinois with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, family conflicts, trauma, and abuse, & as motivation, self-esteem, and confidence. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I believe in finding the root issues behind the problems and resolving them. The first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life is courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California and Illinois with 15 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients cope with addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialogue and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to ask for and seek help is a courageous one, and I recognize and acknowledge you for this. I am an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.

I am licensed in Illinois with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, trauma and abuse, & relationship issues. 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.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I bring over two decades of compassionate mental health experience supporting individuals through complex life challenges. My practice specializes in helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, trauma recovery, and self-esteem development. I focus on creating a supportive environment where individuals can explore personal growth, address communication barriers, and work through challenging emotional experiences. My approach centers on understanding each person's unique journey, whether they're struggling with social anxiety, workplace stress, life transitions, or deeper emotional wounds. My therapeutic work emphasizes holistic healing, helping clients develop self-compassion, rebuild connections, and rediscover their inner strength. I'm committed to walking alongside individuals as they develop healthier coping strategies, process difficult experiences, and create meaningful pathways toward personal transformation. I specialize in supporting older adults and individuals experiencing midlife transitions, chronic health challenges, and complex emotional landscapes. My goal is to provide empathetic, personalized guidance that honors each client's individual experience and potential for healing.

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.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients address challenges like social anxiety, workplace stress, life transitions, and personal growth. I bring a compassionate, culturally responsive approach to therapy, particularly supporting young adults, women, and individuals from diverse backgrounds. My therapeutic work focuses on empowering clients to develop self-love, overcome isolation, and explore life purpose. I offer targeted support for those experiencing panic disorders, mood challenges, trauma recovery, and interpersonal dynamics. Drawing from evidence-based practices, using DBT, Mindfulness, and Somatic Experience as part of a therapeutic approach, I create a supportive environment where clients can explore their experiences, build resilience, and cultivate meaningful personal transformation. With a deep commitment to understanding each individual's unique journey, I strive to provide affirming, personalized care that honors your lived experiences and supports your path toward healing and growth.

As a licensed therapist in Illinois, I bring 30 years of dedicated experience supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My professional journey is rooted in compassionate, evidence-based care, with specialized expertise in addressing depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, trauma recovery, and life transition challenges. I approach therapy as a collaborative partnership, believing that each person holds the innate capacity for healing and growth. My therapeutic style centers on creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their experiences, develop resilient coping strategies, and rediscover their inner strengths. My commitment is to walk alongside you, offering empathetic guidance and professional insights tailored to your unique journey. Whether you're struggling with emotional challenges, seeking personal growth, or working through significant life transitions, I'm here to provide thoughtful, personalized support.

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.