Spiritual or Religious Therapists in Illinois

Welcome! I am so happy you are here. I work specifically with people of color and those in the LGBTQ+ community who are seeking therapy for anxiety, stress and burnout, life transitions, self-esteem, and relationship difficulties.  Therapy can be a scary and daunting step. Taking the time to address your needs, big or small, shows strength and courage and I will be right by your side with empathy and compassion.  I believe that, when entering a space of vulnerability, it is important to feel safe and secure. As a therapist, my job is to provide you with a non-judgmental therapeutic environment to support you in your healing and growth. I am here to offer a collaborative approach to empower and foster change in your journey.

I have over 20 years experience helping people who struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, and relationships. I provide an approach to therapy that focuses on you as an individual and helps you achieve your goals for coming to therapy. 

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.

Let's collaborate to untangle how your past connects to your present and find a balance that allows you to feel like yourself again. I am passionate about supporting adults, kids/teens, couples and families in their journey to heal the things that are keeping them stuck by highlighting their strengths and building resilience. The things needed to heal, are already within you. I offer both solution-focused interventions aimed at easing your emotional discomfort and long-term depth work. I create a safe space for you to come as you are, while helping you identify the ways in which you want to grow. Along with traditional psychotherapy, I offer yoga therapy, which incorporates: somatics, gentle movements, manifesting, breathwork, mindfulness, relaxation, spirituality. Utilizing the mind-body connection allows you to express the things your mind won't allow you to. Clients can leave sessions feeling grounded, hopeful, and empowered. I see clients in both IL and TX.

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!

We all endure adversities and challenges that can cause us to question our identities, our relationships, and our lives. Managing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and stress on our own can leave us feeling overwhelmed, confused, and lonely. It is in the midst of such distress that we benefit deeply from receiving warm and empathic support. Given the unique complexity of each person’s life experiences, I emphasize multicultural sensitivity and the use of a holistic approach to therapy. My therapeutic orientation is humanistic integrative. I utilize evidence-based therapeutic models and interventions, and I adapt them to the unique needs of each person that I work with. I incorporate trauma-focused approaches and specialize in working with traumatic stress, grief and loss, life transitions, relationship issues, & anxiety and mood disorders. Honoring who you are is an essential part of experiencing a collaborative and compassionate relationship. Therapy is a space for you to feel seen, validated, and supported while working towards goals that reflect your own needs and desires in wellness and personal growth. I have served as a therapist in college communities, residential and primary care settings, and in community mental health agencies. In addition to my work as a therapist, my clinical research has focused on therapeutic care for women who have experienced loss due to sustaining spinal cord injuries.