Find a Therapist near Bannockburn, IL

My philosophy is that you are the expert when it comes to your life. I will listen to what your concerns are and what the goals are that you want to achieve. Then, I will choose a model of therapy that best meets your desired outcome.

I help you regain control of your well-being and forge a new path in life. I firmly believe that each of us possesses the capacity to conquer the challenges that confront us. Together, we will understand your thoughts, habits, and behaviors that may be hindering your progress. We can explore various issues, including relationships, self-esteem, past traumas, work or school-related concerns, as well as navigating grief, break-ups, or any other life transitions. We will first address your current most pressing challenges and then equip you with new skills for much more effective life management. As a mindful solution-focused therapist, I am here to empower you with the motivation and tools needed to take charge of your life. Together, we will strategize and set goals to help you attain the life you envision. When you're ready to move beyond current complex emotions-such as anger, sadness, fear, emptiness, anxiety, helplessness, shame, guilt, or loneliness-I offer a safe and non-judgmental space to provide personalized support on your journey toward emotional well-being. You have the potential to experience the life you desire! I encourage you to uncover your true potential and your life's purpose; it's patiently awaiting your discovery. The time is now. Certified in Clinical Trauma & Mindfulness interventions.

I enjoy getting to know who people are separate from any type of diagnosis they may have received or problems they are currently experiencing. Thus I take a strengths-based approach to my work, meaning that I help you identify positive qualities and abilities you already possess in order to guide you in using those same assets and capabilities to manage intense emotions, improve your self-esteem, and reduce unhealthy behaviors.

I am passionate about helping individuals, especially those between the ages of 12 and 25, to identify their challenges and equip them with the tools required to live a gratifying life. With expertise in co-occurring disorders and sports psychology, I am committed to optimizing the performance of athletes and guiding them through transitions.

I bring a personalized, strength-based approach. Our work together focuses on developing concrete, achievable goals, enhancing self-efficacy, creating sustainable personal growth, and building emotional resilience. Maybe you’re struggling to find your feet at a new school or office. Maybe you’re ramping up to make a major decision. Maybe you’ve come to rely on a network of support, only to find it slipping lately. Or maybe you’re just feeling a bit lost or out-of-sorts, and you’re not exactly sure why. If you’re a parent reading this, maybe you’re feeling like you don’t recognize your son or daughter anymore, or maybe your recent efforts to help your child cope and flourish have been coming up short. Together, let’s move beyond the mental roadblocks and anxious feelings that seem overwhelming and are holding you back. I’ll help you reset and reconnect with the feelings of comfort and calm that have gone missing. And, above all, let’s work together to build your sense of empowerment and move through the world on your terms with feelings of independence, confidence, and pride.

While they are a vital part of our lives and can bring us so much joy - relationships are complex! Think about it - although people spend years learning and practicing most key skills, many people have had limited opportunity learning about relationships and emotional skills. I work with people who are often very successful in many aspects of their lives, but who get stuck in emotional or relational patterns. They know they desire for things to be different and more satisfying but are not quite sure how to get there. That's where therapy can be a powerful platform for change! My goal is to create a therapeutic space where people can experience themselves and others in a new, more intimate, compassionate, and meaningful way. I then support clients as they do the essential work of translating these experiences to make concrete changes in their everyday lives. I've been both a therapist and a professor. New clients repeatedly tell me that they don't want to just talk but that they want to learn "tools". My background in teaching influences my ability to help clients master the tools they need to impact the changes they want.

For 23 years I served Northwestern University undergraduate and graduate students in the University Counseling Center initially as Staff psychologist and liaison to the Department of Athletics and then as Director of Clinical Services. In addition, I co-instruct a for credit course at Northwestern titled Emotional Intelligence 101: Managing Yourself and Maximizing Your Potential. The course material mirrors the work we do in therapy. We seek healthy stress management, self-perception, self-expression, interpersonal effectiveness, and decision makingconflict management using the themes of intentional attention, accurate awareness, and healthy connection. We direct these themes toward the present moment, ourselves, and others. I believe when we own and intentionally direct our attention and feel in alignment with who we want to be, then we are healthier and enjoy more connected to the happiness within us. Through all the complexity in the world and in our lives, what we most want tends to be simple: Love and Work. That is, we want to feel connected to the people we care about and we want to feel productive in the world, whether that is making money, performing athletically, achieving academically, or pursuing the hobbies we enjoy.

I am a relational therapist with 25 years of experience supporting and companioning adults of all ages navigating grief, loss, major life transitions, relationship issues, depression, and illness. I am a licensed clinical social worker, certified in drug and alcohol counseling. I have extensive experience supporting individuals with disabilities, substance use challenges, seniors, and chronic mental health issues. I support clients facing end-of-life issues with respect and compassion. I view my work as a calling. I approach the work of therapy with deep humility and respect. I honor the courage it takes to reach out and ask for support. As a therapist, my goal is to create a warm and safe space for clients to be able to explore their beliefs, challenge unhealthy thinking, and build healthier ways of coping and living. Through cognitive behavioral therapy and other modalities, I support clients to develop the skills necessary to thrive. My wish is for clients to feel supported by me as they grow and transition in their lives. I honor my clients’ successes as they move forward in their lives, embracing hope and possibility, while building foundations for future success. I look forward to hearing from you and being able to help you on your journey of growth and future happiness.

You deserve to feel your best. I help adults and teens to overcome anxiety, manage stress, recover from difficult past experiences, and find greater fulfillment in life. Maybe you already know the source of your distress. It could be related to work, family or social life. Sometimes current difficulties are related to changes in your life or identity, painful experiences from your past, or fears about the future. Or, it could be that you have a vague feeling that something isn’t right or that something terrible is going to happen, and you don’t know why. I believe that, together, we can figure out the root causes of your problems and identify a path forward. Mental health problems often start out as ways of coping. When something bad happens, you might worry about what else could go wrong. This could lead you to over-prepare, try to control outcomes, and avoid certain situations. Over time, you may lose your ability to relax and enjoy life. I can help you to develop more effective skills and to reclaim your joy. My approach is client-centered meaning that I will tailor an approach to meet your unique needs and support you in reaching your goals. I have a strengths-based perspective which guides me in helping you to build on your existing abilities to become more skillful in managing life’s challenges effectively.

My counseling approach emphasizes a person-centered and trauma-informed perspective, establishing a safe and non-judgmental environment. My goal is to help you enhance self-connection while fostering curiosity and understanding about your internal experiences. With couples counseling I help couples increase intimacy, connection, and promote effective communication. Throughout our sessions, I honor and validate your religious, spiritual, gender, cultural, and social identities. My professional background includes assisting adults, adolescents, and couples dealing with a range of concerns, such as gender and sexuality, relationships, depression, grief, loss, and anxiety. Additionally, I have received specialized training in employing the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) to address attachment-related issues, relational challenges, and complex trauma.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and nonjudgmental. You've both tried, many times to be better with each other, to find ways to change, find solutions, better understand the problem, stop the misunderstandings, yet somehow it all continues and at times it's too much. Unable to manage one conflict before another one comes around with little resolution. Spinning instead of evolving. The focus of our work together would be collaborative in nature, meaning there are many directions counseling can take; we will discuss the main options and together agree upon the focus of our work moving forward. There are typically four main paths we can explore: Path 1. Starting fresh with new skills and approaches to being a couple. Path 2. Making amends and forgiveness. Path 3. Exploring your family culture and what you bring into your relationship. Path 4. Uncoupling, restructuring, and transitions in the relationship. We can go down all of these paths just not all at once. I take an integrated approach to working with couples which has been informed by trainings in the Gottman Model, with Terry Real from the Relational Life Institute, Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, Collaborative Divorce Mediation, Collaborative Divorce Coach, and Developmental Couples Therapy at the Couples Institute. All sessions are currently offered via teletherapy from my private office in Highwood, IL.

Is your daughter anxious and worried? Does she struggle with getting to school in the mornings or making friends? Is she more sensitive than normal, irritable and crying frequently? Having trouble sleeping? Is it hard for her to distract herself or control her thoughts? Does she seem nervous and fearful and missing out on fun activities? Are you worried, feeling overwhelmed or even frustrated because nothing seems to help? Many parents reach out because they too are worried about their child, feeling helpless and lost, trying to find the right help for their child. I help parents understand their child's behavior and find strategies that work. Hi, I’m Shelly! I’m a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a passion for helping children and teens build confidence, manage emotions, and reach their full potential. For over 20 years, I’ve supported young people and their families 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 to attend 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 children and teens and helping families strengthen communication and resilience. I believe every child 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 both children and parents to uncover what’s behind the emotional or behavioral struggles and to develop tools that foster understanding, balance, and confidence at home and at school. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where your child feels heard and understood—and where you, as a parent, feel guided and empowered. Reaching out for therapy is a courageous step, and I’m honored to walk alongside your family on this journey toward healing and growth.