Trauma and PTSD Therapists in Illinois

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.

It is my sincere belief that we are all just trying to do the best we can to make it through this thing called life, and life is hard. Sometimes life’s hardships result in trauma to you or your child, which can negatively impact emotions and behaviors. If your child is having difficulty managing their emotions or behavior, or if you are an adult who is experiencing emotional or behavioral dysregulation, I can help. I’m here to help guide the journey towards healing, whether it’s healing for yourself, your child, or your whole family.

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. 

I am so proud of you for taking this step! Deciding to go on this journey is not easy, but I am more than happy to help you navigate it. I am Dr. Arielle Smith, LCSW and I am a psychotherapist. I use a client centered approach which allows me to meet you where you are in life, while providing an atmosphere free of judgment, and full of positive regard. I encourage you to give yourself grace, become your best self, while holding you accountable, and challenging you to be greater.I provide psychotherapy to those who feel that they have lost themselves, may be transitioning, are overwhelmed with past trauma, or those who often feel anxious and shy away from their potential. During our time together, you have the ability to explicitly express yourself, with conversation and feedback that promotes healing, self-discovery, personal development and reflection. Together, we will go on a journey to explore self-worth and purpose. We will begin or continue the healing process, create goals, coping skills and necessary boundaries. You deserve to feel good, be great and continue to have a life you love!

​  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.

You deserve to be living your BEST life. Your mental and physical health are interconnected and you need to take care of yourself to reach your full potential. How you love yourself, is how you teach others to love you. I create a safe space in my therapy sessions where clients can feel free to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns in a non-judgemental setting. I help my clients with the challenges they face at home, work, and school. I work with families and couples to help improve communication and marital/relationship issues.

Discover a safe and supportive environment to work through life's challenges and improve your mental health. Specializing in trauma, addiction, and self-esteem. Providing psychotherapy for clients residing in: Alabama, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, New Jersey, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Michigan, Texas, Missouri and Mississippi

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.