Therapists serving clients in Oakbrook Terrace, IL

I'm so glad you're here! I'm a licensed therapist. I received my MA from the University of Chicago, SSA in 2008. Since then, I have worked with a diverse population of clients, from students and parents (as a certified school social worker) to people involved in the court system, to those with a mental health condition or comorbidity. People with whom I work have a variety of personal and situational difficulties that impact how they feel and/or function. Together, my clients and I identify and address negative feelings, harmful thoughts, distressing events and problematic behaviors in order to effect change and find relief. You've come to the right place to start to feel better! You are the expert in your life; thus, you guide our time together. My goal is to create a safe place for us to focus on whatever it is that brought you here, and anything that comes up as we work together. You - your thoughts, ideas, experiences and insight - will be listened to without judgement, as I work to gain understanding and insight into who you are, your actions, and your situation. We will recognize and effectively utilize your unique strengths, resources and supports as we make strides towards growth and healing. My hope is that you will take away new tools and perspectives to draw from that transcend our time together.

You are courageous in reaching out for counseling. Counseling is a healing/growth/and development process you undertake for yourself. I'm grateful to journey with you. I believe every person holds worth, dignity, and value as someone created by God. There is no one like you! You are special! While you may not believe that, it is important that you know my approach toward you - that is how I view you. I have been a licensed clinical professional counselor for nearly 30 years and a Doctor of Formational Counseling - explicitly Christian counseling - for over 10 years. I serve individuals and families who are seeking counseling from a Christian perspective as well as individuals who are seeking traditional counseling. I have over 30 years of experience in serving children, families, and individuals in various capacities and settings; both urban, rural, and internationally. I look forward to connecting with you on this part of your journey through life.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois and Idaho certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Thanatology (CT). I practice a client-centered strength-based approach, incorporating a focus on mindfulness to promote mental well-being and strength of Self. This approach encourages a collaborative therapeutic relationship to facilitate healing and growth. Through my work as a therapist, I am reminded daily of the resilient nature of the human spirit. From experiences with disappointment to unimaginable trauma, people find the courage to ask for help and to move forward. It is the greatest privilege to, for a time, join someone on their path to healing. My clients allow me to meet them with support when they struggle and to celebrate their joy when they persevere. I am acknowledging that tragedy happens every day, and so does triumph. Our days vary, but don’t we all know what it’s like to have a really bad day and also an amazing day? Therapy is an outlet. A seed of change. Know that no matter what intrudes into - or shatters - our assumptions of this imperfect world, we don’t have to be in it alone. There is nothing more encouraging than a conversation about the possibilities of the life a person can create. Allow yourself to make space for that conversation and for subsequent change. My clinical experience includes therapy with adolescents and adults, specializing in trauma, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, life transitions, and grief and loss. Informed by continuing education and experience in psychotherapy and counseling, I base my interventions on unique presented needs, providing supportive guidance toward identified goals.

My goal is to assist you in your journey to step into the power and truth of who you are. As you make this authentic transformation , you will develop skills to find the answers within, so that you can know your value. As a compassionate and loving person, I find joy in helping others improve their lives. I earned my Master of Social Work at Arizona State University in 1990. I have used my skills in so many settings. One of my significant experiences was my role as a Program Director at a residential treatment program for teens who had been in prison. I provided individual, group and family counseling and more. Another experience was my time in the Peace Corps in Jamaica working as a Medical Social Worker and then starting a Women's Crisis Center for domestic violence/sexual assault /and abuse. Most recently I completed a 2 year program in advanced spiritual psychology which has expanded the depth of my skills. I have provided counseling for a variety of personal issues such as depression/anxiety, stress, family problems, trauma/abuse, addictions, relationships/parenting issues, sexual assault and abuse trauma and more. Over the past years as a clinician, my experience has taught me that one of the most important aspect of counseling by far is the connection and comfort you feel with the person you choose to share your personal challenges. As a very compassionate and loving person, I am able create a safe and supportive connection with the people that I assist. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you to create a more loving and peaceful life. SPECIALTIES Stress, Anxiety Relationship issues Family conflicts Depression Also experienced in: Trauma and abuse , Grief , Parenting issues , Anger management , Self esteem , Career difficulties , Coping with life changes , Coaching , ADHD , Abandonment , Attachment Issues , Blended Family Issues , Caregiver Issues and Stress , Codependency , Communication Problems , Control Issues , Dependent Personality , Divorce and Separation , Domestic Violence , Drug and Alcohol Addiction , Family of Origin Issues , Family Problems , Guilt and Shame , Impulsivity , Isolation/Loneliness , Life Purpose , Mood Disorders , Posttraumatic Stress , Self-Harm , Self-Love , Sexual Assault and Abuse , Social Anxiety and Phobia , Women's Issues , Workplace Issues , Young Adult Issues Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy Years of Experience: 15

My Approach to Counseling WHEN LIFE CHANGES OR NEEDS TO CHANGE, you want to figure out what this means for you on a personal level and for others in your life. This is true whether you merely feel stuck, you are maybe overwhelmed by various problems, or you feel your life is in crisis. I work very effectively with adults of all ages to overcome tough problems - especially life transitions and all types of relationship issues, including personal, partner, professional, or parent/teen - and help enable you to move through your deeply felt emotions of disappointment, upset, loss, or frustration. I can also effectively help you get through periods of depression, sadness, or stress - as well as unhelpful, or sometimes, seemingly paralyzing anxiety. Your progress will help you experience improved personal functioning and well-being. Based on goals conveyed as important by you, the client, I prioritize your near-term relief from the most serious symptoms and help you gain insight regarding your emotions, physical symptoms, and behaviors. I encourage exploration of alternative thoughts and brainstorm new options available to improve overall quality of life; and we work together to help activate new skills that build on personal strengths by generalizing those current strengths and skills to new areas. We will focus primarily on present-day related issues and problems, yet consider how past experiences might influence your perceptions, expectations, and/or behavioral patterns that are no longer helpful - and try out fresh coping strategies. *** My primary counseling mode via BetterHelp is through phone sessions because I strongly believe talking voice-voice allows us to collaborate more quickly regarding what will likely help you based on interactive feedback about the issues and the strategies we explore. I use messaging primarily for sharing information and maintaining contact (background information, or about what is happening currently - to provide information to support the next session). If you prefer counseling via messaging (written therapy), a BetterHelp therapist focusing on that method is another option for you. Therapy will be provided in most circumstances within our voice-to-voice sessions. [Some therapists at BetterHelp do focus on messaging as a primary counseling tool and choosing one of them is always an option (or perhaps you need a therapist offering evening session times as my available times are during the day). For me to focus on therapy via messaging would require reducing the available voice-to-voice session times (which I believe helps you meet your needs more quickly)]. *** WHEN YOU ARE READY TO FEEL BETTER, I am here ready to work with you. Therapy is provided within a safe, kind, supportive and non-judgmental environment wherein you always have the option to make choices. My personal goal is to create an experience where you can find healing and encouragement. I am committed to helping you feel better, realize your best self, and achieve goals meaningful to you.

Hello, I am Rachel Brace, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois. I am also a National Certified Counselor. I received my Masters of Arts from Governors State University with a focus on Marriage and Family in the year of 2012. In my studies and experience; I have worked with individuals who have experienced a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, family problems, and career and life changes. I have also worked with individuals who have experienced significant life traumas that have led to chronic behavioral health situations and diagnoses. I have been in the professional counseling field for approximately ten years and in that time have come to understand that the human spirit is amazingly strong and the need to nurture that spirit is paramount for daily functioning. I have had the opportunity to utilize many modalities of treatment to include Cognitive Behavioral, Psycho-dynamic, Family Systems, Play Therapy, Attachment-Based, and Existential therapies when working with individuals, couples, and families. I believe that all aspects of the varying therapy modalities are important to utilize depending on the presenting problems that an individual may be experiencing. Many of the situations that are experienced and left unresolved lead to many of the current issues individuals live with and they may or may not be aware of how those situations impact their daily life and decisions that are made. My style of counseling is one that comes from a non-judgmental stance and I believe in allowing the individual to share what is causing discord in their lives. Utilizing various modalities; I believe exploring the different areas of a person’s life and their experiences within a safe environment allows for genuine rapport to develop and with that; the hope of understanding oneself. Through this journey; a person may then begin to understand the reasons they could be experiencing difficulties. Exploring a new way of thinking that will bring peace and developing healthy coping skills as the individual, couple, and/or family continue to navigate through life in any circumstance is the overall goal. I appreciate the time spent reading some information about myself and I look forward to meeting with you and/or your family.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, & 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

Thank you for reaching out. My name is Allison and I am a licensed therapist in the states of Illinois and Indiana. I look forward to meeting you and learning more about your individual needs. My hope for you is that you will find our sessions to be a safe space where you can share, feel supported, and grow. I enjoy incorporating art and mindfulness into sessions and am able to provide exercises for you to work on outside of our session time. I have six years of counseling experience helping clients manage depression, anxiety, career changes, relationship issues and goals, parenting and postpartum struggles and complex trauma healing. I believe you are the expert of your story and look forward to meeting you exactly where you are in this present moment. Your feelings and experiences are valid; reaching out for support shows your strength. When I am not working I enjoy reading, hiking, and working on art projects. I look forward to connecting with you!

I am licensed in Illinois with 36 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety and depression. 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 seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process. I encourage you to write as often and as much as you would like. This room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I typically respond with 24 hours, but respond sooner to new clients. Please be patient as I may be attending to professional or personal responsibilities. I am available for live sessions on Wednesday evening, Thursday day and evening and Friday day and evening. Please schedule at least 12 hours in advance. If there is a message that you need a quick response to, please mark 'urgent'. I will get back to you as soon as possible. Please remember if you are having an emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call 988 which is the crisis hotline.

I am licensed in Illinois with 4 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with a wide range of issues including stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, & depression. I also have experience working with people coping with life changes and associated concerns. I have worked in a variety of settings including employee assistance, outpatient mental health clinics, and schools, and have worked with clients ranging in age from young children to adults. I believe strongly in approaching every client from a place of non-judgment and compassion, and my style in therapy is warm and attentive. I primarily operate from a person-centered perspective, but often combine cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, and attachment-centered approaches as well, depending on your particular needs. I also believe in keeping a sense of humor in session- don't be afraid to laugh or joke with me! I respect the courage that it takes to seek therapy and open up about difficult subjects, and I feel honored to be part of that journey with my clients. I look forward to working with you!