Therapists in Chicago, IL

I specialize in working with the LGBTQ community. I work with folks around trauma healing, gender and sexual identity exploration, developing healthy conflict and attachment styles (poly and kink affirming,) combating addiction, and building sincere connection to self and others. I center my practice around queer theory, feminist theory and critical race theory. I always aim to recognize any power dynamic in a therapeutic alliance and work towards cultivating a space that is egalitarian. Finding balance and stability through struggle is a primary focus of mine in my practice.

As seen in: Forbes, Fatherly, The Knot, Everyday Health, and AskMen! Are you struggling with your relationship? Do you feel distant from your partner? I help couples and relationships find peace by fostering communication, managing conflict, and rebuilding the foundations of the union that are vital to the success of any relationship. Your goals for your relationship are my goals for your relationship! I work with clients from all backgrounds, including traditional and non-traditional relationships or unions. LGBTQIA+ allied, and poly affirming.

Currently accepting new clients for weekday/daytime appointments. I offer therapy in an affirming environment where individuals share concerns about their current and past challenges. I work collaboratively with clients to help them gain insight into their lives, manage distress, and develop tools to create meaningful and sustainable relationships. With the support of therapy, you can move towards a healthier, more balanced life.

The most important thing I want potential clients to know is that I truly love doing therapy and sincerely care about the people I with work with. The belief that clients can create greater self awareness, insight and transformation through a non-judgmental, safe and compassionate relationship is the foundation of my approach. By providing an open and collaborative space, clients can explore their thought patterns, emotional/somatic states and behavioral experience to promote meaningful changes. I bring a warm smile, a curious, gentle, down to earth manner, a sense of humor and an authentic self into the therapy room.

Cori Dixon-Fyle is a psychotherapist with experience providing guidance and therapeutic services to individuals (infancy to elderly), couples, and families with a wide array of conditions. Cori's specialized work includes depression and anxiety, perfectionism, grief and loss, infertility, perinatal mental health, life transitions, health diagnoses adjustments and dating/relationship struggles. Prior to private practice, Cori gained experience in community mental health, early intervention, hospital-based social work and independent counseling practices.

Many clients that we work with to have come to a place where they realize the approaches they have been using are no longer working for them and change is necessary. Perhaps they feel out of control because they have been suffering from high stress, increased anxiety, loss of sense of self, trauma, relationship or parenting issues, or depression. Our clients come to us because they want to regain control of their life and reduce their pain.

Does your love life need work? I can help. I work with with couples who want to “rekindle the spark” - whether you’re new parents, overwhelmed by work stress, dealing with trust issues, or disconnected for other reasons. We’ll use therapy as an experimental place to practice being vulnerable, learn to process your emotions, and improve communication. I also work with individuals who are seeking partnership. We’ll discuss your challenges and center your strengths to keep you inspired and hopeful while you're looking for love.

Are you a new couple, newly married, or navigating life transitions? Do you need support integrating as a unit while still maintaining your individuality? Do you want to understand each other’s expectations? I am passionate about working with couples and would love to support you in achieving your goals. I work with couples who are navigating the balance of holding onto their individual identity while embracing their relational identity with their partner. Sessions focus on providing psychoeducation and interventions around attachment, identity, vulnerability, communication, trust, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance.

Therapy can often be an intimidating space for people, so as a cis-Black male therapist, my theoretical orientation/approach to therapy is from a liberation and social justice lens, working through an anti-oppressive framework, which is trauma-informed, to make clients feel a sense of belonging while working with me. In working from a Liberation Psychology lens, I am able to better assist clients from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other intentionally marginalized backgrounds in identifying and managing anxieties and other stressors/mental health needs from their experiences of oppression, trauma, and other sociopolitical factors.

My work focuses on supporting the mental health of adults with various presentations of neurodiversity, like Autism, ADHD, Obsessive Compulsive, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Down's Syndrome, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. You might be looking for someone to help you work on "adulting." You may be dealing with the stress of becoming independent. You want to work through the anxiety and depression from living in a world that isn't built for people like us. We can work together on to figure out your values. You and I will create goals towards finding your own happiness and feeling powerful.

My practice specializes in helping clients actualize their personal goals. In my approach I attempt to empower clients to modify their thoughts and behaviors in ways that help them meet their particular goals. I also maintain sensitivity to a clients cultural background. I specialize in helping clients with relationship difficulties, anxiety/stress, depression, and impulsivity. I have extensive experience working with children with behavioral challenges and have developed a free app on managing bullying that is available in the apple itunes store (Hero App).

My style is warm, direct, and empowering. I collaboratively use evidenced-based treatments to identify unhelpful patterns and redefine old values in order to live a more authentic and rewarding life. A trusting and genuine therapeutic relationship is the foundation for growth, and through this space you will gain insight, awareness, and be gently challenged to see new perspectives and solutions.

I'm glad you're looking for support! Though therapy isn’t only for our hardest moments, there are times when life’s stresses overwhelm our ability to cope. Perhaps you are grieving a loss or struggling to adapt to change. Maybe you are battling feelings of anxiety or depression. Or the effects of trauma. Maybe you are simply feeling stuck in patterns that keep you mentally and physically in places you no longer want to be in. You are not alone and you can feel better. I believe that anyone can develop the innate skills and courage necessary to change and that everyone deserves to be safely and securely themselves.

You may have experienced significant changes in your life, have endured trauma, and are doing your best to manage both life's demands and what had happened to you. You may find it difficult sometimes as the impact of your changed environments, sense of self, and relationships compete for your emotional attention. You may have been to therapy before, but continue searching for a more profound recognition and connection of your experiences. You may have immediate concerns you are looking to resolve but cannot shake the burden of long-standing issues.

My goal in therapy is to facilitate trust, safety and healing by developing strong, authentic relationships with clients. I draw from psychodynamic and attachment theory in my work; I believe that articulating one's thoughts and feelings is a powerful process that can create profound positive change. With this in mind, I create a collaborative environment for clients in which to explore some of life’s most difficult moments.

Rachel Zar, PhD, LMFT, CST, is an individual and couples therapist—and an AASECT-certified sex therapist. Rachel knows that sex and relationships can be among the most difficult topics to talk about, so she strives to create a safe, non-judgmental space for these intimate and essential conversations. Her integrative approach is both warm and direct; it’s both creative and based in current therapeutic and medical research. She believes that collaboration is the key to success, so she meets clients where they are and works with them to access their unique strengths and empower them to reach their goals.

Welcome and congratulations on your decision to take the first steps to becoming a better you. I look forward to journeying with you as we explore, unpack and begin to elicit change. My name is Samekquel McGill with over five years of experience working with children, families, teens and adults experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma and life transitions.

I regularly treat the following symptoms: OCD- Intrusive thoughts; needing reassurance; counting, checking, and reviewing for certainty; searching for answers on Google and Reddit; mentally reviewing/planning for any scenario; generally needing things to feel "complete". Social anxiety- difficulty showing up as your true self; struggling to socialize, connect, or date; wondering what others think about you. Panic-Fears about "losing control", embarrassing yourself, or having a heart attack when feeling panicky; not being able to do what you want (ride a train, go to work, etc) due to anxiety.

I am a licensed social worker with over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents and families. In addition to office-based settings, I have worked in intensive in-home treatment and as a school counselor. Many years of my career were spent as a clinical consultant for a research-based, family-focused treatment model, Multisystemic Therapy (MST). Through my work, I have gained advanced knowledge in family and couples therapy, behavioral modification, and cognitive behavioral therapy. My approach is strength-based and solution-focused. I believe that all individuals have assets that can be leveraged to foster change, and that my role is to support clients in living a full and rewarding life. In my approach with children and adolescents, I view parents/caregivers as the experts on their children, and essential partners in ensuring successful treatment. Understanding family dynamics and promoting healthier patterns are special areas of interest, and utilized in my therapeutic approach. I commend you for taking the first step in researching a therapist for yourself or loved one!