Eating Disorders Therapists in Illinois

I am a therapist with immediate daytime availability. I work with teens 16 and up and adults. I work with issues such as depression, anxiety, mood, dysregulation, body image, perinatal mood disorder, work stress, chronic illness, and pain. I am here for you to feel heard and validated. I work from a collaborative strength-based approach where we will address underlying patterns that may not be working for you anymore. I am an experienced clinician who believes in prioritizing mental health. I believe that one can cope with these issues by using skills of; attunement, mindfulness, and self-compassion practices.

Hello, I'm Laura Meade, a Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I specialize in providing compassionate psychiatric care through telehealth services. I have diverse experience working with children, adults, and seniors across various settings including outpatient care, substance abuse treatment, and crisis residential environments. Previously, I've supported the elderly in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers working in the psychiatric field. I've also worked in correctional psychiatry, offering essential mental health services in a maximum-security prison. My experience also includes working in federally qualified health centers, providing psychiatric care regardless of a patient's insurance status, and offering Medication Assisted Therapy for substance use disorders. Before diving into psychiatric care, I worked in dialysis as a Registered Nurse, both in hospital settings and by providing home-based education and support. This varied background helps me understand and cater to the unique needs of patients from all walks of life. Education has been a cornerstone of my career. I am on the path to earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Maryville University, with graduation anticipated in December 2024. I hold a Master’s Degree in Nursing and am committed to lifelong learning and advocating for my patients' well-being. When you choose care with me, you can trust that you will receive dedicated, empathetic, and patient-centered care tailored to your needs. I look forward to providing you with the highest standard of psychiatric care. *Specialties •Mental Health *Conditions treated •Depression •Anxiety •Bipolar disorders •PTSD •Addiction •Eating Disorders •OCD •Stress •Anger Management •Relationship Issues •Trauma *Treatment philosophy I prescribe medications only when necessary, and treat the whole patient and not just their diagnosis. I use a therapy-based approach and spend time getting to know my patients so I can treat them to the best of my ability with a whole-picture view. *Treatment approach •Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) •Culturally Sensitive •Emotionally Focused •Mindfulness-Based(MBCT) •Person-Focused •Attachment-based •Behavior Modification •Positive Psychology •Trauma Focused •Motivational Interviewing *Practice description I provide mental health services for adolescents and adults through telehealth. I specialize in treating patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse issues. I also have experience working with many other diagnoses including personality disorders. *Insurance •Blue Cross Blue Shield •Aetna •Cigna •UnitedHealthcare •Optum •Oscar Health •Oxford •Cigna Behavioral Health •Coventry •Allied •Meritain

Hello! I am a committed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience supporting patients through their mental health journeys. I specialize in assessing, diagnosing, and treating various mental health conditions using a holistic approach that integrates pharmacology, psychotherapy and supportive therapy. I tailor treatment plans to each individual's unique needs, working closely with patients and their families to ensure a clear understanding of the path to recovery. Patient education is at the core of my practice. I prioritize helping you understand your symptoms and equipping you with healthy coping strategies. Your well-being is my top priority, and I’m here to support you at every stage of your journey. Whether through prescribing medication, conducting physical assessments, or offering preventive care. TREATMENT PHILOSOPHY: I believe in treating each person as a unique individual, deserving of a personalized approach to mental health care. My goal is to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your strengths, and the challenges you face, empowering you to make informed decisions about your life. Rather than just prescribing medication, I focus on helping you understand the connection between your mind and body, so we can develop effective strategies tailored to your needs. My aim is to guide you towards a life rooted in self-compassion, kindness, and resilience. My treatment approach emphasizes a comprehensive and individualized plan for mental health care. I start with a thorough assessment to understand each client’s unique symptoms, history, and needs. This forms the foundation for a personalized treatment plan, which may involve medication management, therapeutic interventions, or a combination of both. I believe in integrating psychopharmacology with psychotherapy to address not just the symptoms but also the underlying causes, fostering a holistic approach to healing. My focus is on empowering clients to take an active role in their treatment, while developing practical coping strategies and building resilience to improve their overall well-being.

I am eager to work with you to focus on your unique needs, goals, and resources. I have extensive experience working a wide range of concerns including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, identity and adjustment concerns. I will work with with you directly to determine the best recommendations and options for you including community resources and referrals if appropriate. Everyone deserves to feel heard and supported and you are no exception.

Like many therapist profiles, this page could list my degrees and credentials, provide a vague description of what clients I work with, and be distant but warm; however, that is not how I work with clients or how I am in the world. I want this page to help you decide if we’ll work well together, not just list the things I’ve done. What you probably want to know is 1) do I know what I’m doing and 2) are we a good fit in working together. I have been working in the mental health field, specifically with eating disorders, since 2014 in a variety of capacities including inpatient, residential, and crisis stabilization programs. I am passionate about eating disorder recovery and collaborating with patients to find balance in their lives. I am body-positive and Health at Every Size (HAES) aligned. I have experience in working with families, couples, and individuals in addition to facilitating group therapy. My primary focus lies in helping to support clients and their loved ones in understanding and moving forward in the path to recovery through individual and family therapy. I have earned the distinction of being a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS) by the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals, and have been an officeholder for the Heartland chapter of iaedp since 2019 and remained committed to pursuing ongoing education within the field. There are so many people who hesitate to come to therapy or to move forward in eating disorder recovery due to having been previously unsuccessful with a “one size fits all” approach. I work with you to figure it out. I’m not a smile-and-nod, sit in silence type of therapist. I'll call you out on your BS, but I can do that in a way where we can both laugh. I'm not afraid to talk about anything you need to talk about. Intrusive thoughts? Feeling like you’re the only person to feel this way? You’d be surprised to find that you’re not alone. Therapy will provide a safe space to be yourself and a supportive environment to help meet you where you’re at and work towards creating lasting change in your life.

My name is Shira Collings (she/they). I specialize in working with clients with eating disorders, disordered eating, body image distress, and those wanting to break free from diet culture. As a diet culture dropout myself, I am passionate about supporting others in finding freedom with food and body acceptance. I am also passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent folx, as well as those with substance use and trauma histories. My therapeutic approach is rooted in the Health At Every Size paradigm and body liberation. It is also informed by feminism, disability justice, and queer and trans liberation. I believe that healing comes from feeling heard, seen, and valued, and I strive to create a space in which clients can express their full, authentic selves.

I work with individuals who need to process through their trauma in order to move forward in life and find themselves stuck. I initially use color therapy to show us which traumatic memories have not yet been processed, as a way to get straight to the source of what is troubling us. I work with those who are experiencing anxiety, depression, body image issues, disordered eating, panic attacks, low self-esteem, decreased levels of happiness, life transitions, and issues with relationships. The overall goal is to find peace, happiness, and love within the self. This will then reflect into one's outside world. I focus on processing trauma that is being stored in the body and how this has changed the way the client sees themselves and their world. I work with the client by helping them process events, tear down old narratives that negatively affect how you live your life today, and rebuild a new narrative that allows a person to live the life they were meant to. I provide a non-judgmental environment that believes all of the knowledge to heal is within the self. I like to view myself as your stepping stone through your healing journey and I am so excited to begin this journey with you. I offer complimentary 15 min. screening calls to see if we would be a good fit, so please reach out!

Hello! I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Professor of Counseling Psychology at Loyola University Chicago. I specialize in treating mood concerns such as anxiety and depression, adjustment and acculturation challenges, and relational or family-of-origin neglect, abuse and attachment disruptions. This includes using EMDR to assess and treat both single-event and complex trauma. I also maintain a recognized subspecialty in career-development concerns, such as working with professionals navigating demanding careers, burnout, career uncertainty, and challenges with work-life balance. My therapeutic style is warm and collaborative in nature, and I create space for self-reflection, guidance, and humor. I utilize an integrative approach that incorporates elements of contemporary somatic, cognitive and trauma-focused/informed theories to help you create meaningful and lasting change in how you relate to yourself and others. Finding the right therapist can be incredibly difficult to do and I commend you for taking the first step. Please contact me to schedule a 15-minute complimentary consultation to see if we are a good fit!

I believe everyone has the narrative to their own story and the answer they seek is within; sometimes it just needs a little compassionate digging. Because therapy isn't a life time based resource, I believe in empowering individuals to discover and develop their own inner and outer resource pool as well as explore new coping techniques to continue to build resilience, empowerment, and nurture self compassion. My approach is race informed, trauma informed, and LGBTQIA+ friendly. 

​  My clinical experience includes working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. I have worked in various settings such is psychiatric inpatient, residential centers, community mental health centers, and private practice. I graduated from Loyola University in 2009. I specialize in working with Eating Disorders and Sexual Trauma.  My approaches include; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Informed, and Gottman Method. I believe that creating a safe and non-judgmental environment is essential in order for healing to take place. It is important that clients have the freedom of self-expression and are not rushed through the therapeutic process. Working collaboratively, we will identify a framework that is validating and promotes growth. My approach is honest, empathetic, and relational in order to help clients gain self-awareness. By focusing on clients’ strengths and values, I help them learn healthy ways to overcome challenges and empower them to make positive changes in their lives.