Over the past decade, I have worked with older adolescents and adults across the lifespan, providing a compassionate and supportive space to explore the challenges they are navigating. My practice includes working with individuals experiencing mood-related concerns such as anxiety and depression, as well as those managing life transitions, college-related mental health concerns, and peer or other interpersonal relationship challenges across the lifespan. I also work with adults who may be exp...
Melanie Blanton, LCSW, provides a compassionate and empowering therapeutic space for individuals in Illinois who may feel overwhelmed by life?s challenges. She works with adolescents, teens, and adults navigating a variety of concerns such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. Melanie strives to help her clients reclaim their power and focus on what they can control, supporting them in living a life aligned with their values and goals. Melanie is particularly passionate about supporting girls and ...
Lucien Loveless is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois who has been practicing since 2002. They have a BA in Psychology from University of California at Santa Cruz and an MA in Clinical Social Work from Crown Family School of Social Work, Social Policy, and Practice at University of Chicago. At their core Lucien is a trauma-informed and client-centered therapist, focusing on what tools and methods are going to be most helpful to each person in their individual therapeutic journey. There is not...
I'm Liam, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in downtown Chicago where I offer individual therapy appointments. I primarily use the methods of Strengths Based, Client-Driven, and Person-Centered talk therapy. That basically boils down to me believing that you know yourself best and my role is to help you find a path forward. Everybody's life is wildly different; I can assist you in your decision and achievement of treatment goals that ring truest to you, even if that goal is just having someone ...
I support LGBTQIA+ students navigating identity concerns around gender, race, and sexuality, as well as anxiety, bipolar challenges, and relationship struggles. My approach is solution-focused and strength-based, integrating Gottman, DBT, and family systems work. As a queer woman of color, I value creating inclusive spaces that affirm all identities. My goal is to help you reconnect with yourself with courage and purpose. My pronouns are she/her....
John is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate the transformative process of change with compassion, clarity, and resilience. With a focus on complex trauma, anxiety, relationship negotiation, social and family role dynamics, and co-occurring disorders, John believes that meaningful change begins with deeper self-understanding and authentic connection. John works from a cognitive-integrative perspective, drawing from object relations and self-psychology to explore how early relationa...
As we shift from summer into fall, many of us are reminded that life is full of seasons of change. Sometimes these transitions feel exciting and grounding, but other times they can feel uncertain, overwhelming or even unsafe. It can be hard to feel steady when the world itself feels unpredictable. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you don't have to hold those feelings alone. Together, we can explore your experiences, identify your strengths, and create a path forward that helps you fe...
Welcome! I primarily work with students who have spent much of their lives caring for others—anticipating needs, maintaining harmony, and meeting expectations. Over time, this role can begin to feel constraining, leading to a desire to prioritize one’s own well-being. Yet, guilt, fear of rejection, and a deep sense of obligation can make it difficult to identify personal needs and desires. If you’ve been struggling with setting boundaries, people-pleasing, anxiety, identity confusion, burnout...
Leslie is a licensed clinical social worker. She earned her Masters in Clinical Social Work at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, and her Bachelors in Social Work at Luther College in Iowa. Leslie has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults with various issues including depression, anxiety, coping skills, difficult life transitions, and building self-compassion. She has worked with individuals in many different settings ranging from...
As the Dread Pirate Roberts from the Princess Bride once said, "Life is pain. Anyone who says otherwise is selling something." While I do very much love this movie, I believe this statement is "Inconceivable!" and far too large of a generalization. I agree that pain is an inevitable part of life, but believe this is much too large of a statement to believe all of life is pain. Life can be filled with beauty, joy, and wonder as we learn to triumph over, manage, and/or live with pain. In my practi...
I am passionate about working with adolescents, adults and couples looking to cultivate change. I believe each person seeking therapy is unique, and my approach is tailored to meet your individual needs. I use an integrative approach, drawing upon a variety of techniques including psychodynamic, existential, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. I have experience working with an array of mental health issues including gender dysphoria, LGBTQIA+ issues, trauma, anxiety, ...
We are a practice located in downtown Chicago, offering both in-person and virtual sessions. Our therapists can help with many of the challenges of college-life: managing expectations from others and your own, navigating complicated relationships, dealing with feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, understanding and managing feelings of anxiety and depression, processing overwhelming or traumatic experiences, or adjusting to a new chapter in your life. We believe that psychological, emotional...
Emily Wheeler is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Social Worker (LSW) at LifeStance Health, serving clients across Illinois. Emily specializes in helping individuals navigate life's challenges with a person-centered approach, ensuring that therapy is tailored to each client's unique needs and goals. With a focus on evidence-based practices, Emily creates a supportive and nonjudgmental space where individuals can explore their thoughts and emotions while building strategies to improve their...
Gosha Thornton is a Licensed Social Worker in Illinois who has been practicing since 2010. She studied at University of Chicago, The Crown Family School of Social Work, Roosevelt University, and the School of Psychiatric Nursing in Poland. Gosha offers a lifelong focus on providing wisdom and empathy that is centered on the well-being of the clients. Although she has academic training, Gosha keeps her practice grounded in the realities of everyday life. Outside of work, Gosha enjoys music, art, ...
I help people make sense of their stories, find what’s been missing, and build something sturdier—for their relationships and for themselves. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in the belief that meaningful change begins with feeling truly seen. In our work together, we’ll look at the patterns that keep showing up, the questions that keep you awake at night, and the parts of yourself you’ve learned to hide. I draw from narrative, attachment, and systems perspectives to help you ...
Dr. Raymond Gonzales, MD, is a compassionate psychiatrist dedicated to supporting children, teens, and young adults in Illinois through life?s challenges. With a personalized approach, he blends therapeutic techniques and medication management to create a safe, supportive environment where patients can navigate mental health concerns such as anxiety, ADHD, and depression. Dr. Gonzales emphasizes fostering emotional independence, helping individuals and families build resilience and confidence as...
Dr. Schmitt is a dual board certified Adult and Forensic Psychiatrist. She treats psychiatric conditions in adults. She has experience treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder She values compassionate all-encompassing care....
Dr. Michelle Okolita completed her Doctorate in clinical psychology at Illinois School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University. She completed her internship at South Campus Therapeutic Day School in Palatine, IL. She has extensive training providing evidence-based therapy and conducting psychological evaluations with children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Okolita’s clinical interests include depression, anxiety, mood disorders, adjustment disorders, identity, relationships, an...
Therapy with me is collaborative, compassionate, and rooted in curiosity. As a relational therapist, I believe that healing happens in connection with ourselves and with others. Our therapeutic relationship is a central part of the work we do together, offering a safe and supportive space to explore patterns, build insight, and foster growth. I work with individuals navigating a range of challenges, including eating disorders, body image concerns, and self-esteem issues. I provide a supportive, ...
I support students exploring identity, gender, LGBTQIA+ concerns, life transitions, and trauma including PTSD and C-PTSD. As a queer, nonbinary therapist, I understand how identity and lived experience shape your story. My approach draws from DBT, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, and Parts Work, always grounded in compassion and connection. I strive to create a welcoming space where you feel understood, supported, and empowered to grow. My pronouns are they/them....