Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Downers Grove, IL

Abi Frields is a board certified Pyschiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a passion for helping others meet their individual goals. Her nursing career started in 2014 on an inpatient psychiatric unit. She completed her Master's degree in 2018 and moved to Oupatient Psychiatry and Consult Liaison services. For the last 7 years she has worked in Addiction Psychiatry and Dual Diagnosis settings, focusing on medication management, harm reduction, and decreasing barriers to high quality care.

I am a licensed clinical professional counselor with over 28 years of experience guiding individuals and families through their unique journeys toward emotional well-being. I received my Master’s of Science in Psychology from Western Illinois University in 1994 and have worked within a variety of settings with people of all ages addressing complex mental health issues.

Throughout my career, I have supported clients facing a wide range of challenges, and I am committed to creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space for healing and growth.

As a grandparent to three wonderful grandchildren, I appreciate the richness and complexity of family life at every stage. In my free time, I love to travel, explore new places, and immerse myself in different cultures. A lifelong reader, I find joy and insight in literature, and I often bring the wisdom of stories into my therapeutic practice. My passions for creativity, travel, and family help me understand the variety of experiences my clients bring, and I strive to honor each person’s individuality in my practice.

Whether you are seeking support for yourself or a loved one, I look forward to meeting you and walking alongside you on your path to greater well-being.

Hi there! I have been a therapist for about 25 years (MSW- Western Michigan University). I feel grateful to have such meaningful work and honored to walk alongside such a variety of people on their journeys. My clients have described me as irreverent, honest, and caring.

Many folks come to therapy in times of crisis and others come because they are looking for a neutral place to talk and process a wide range of life experiences including trauma, anxiety/depression, substance concerns, and relationship issues.

In my non-work hours you'd find me spending time with my elementary age kiddo and our dog, listening to live music, swimming in Lake Michigan, or finishing up a good jigsaw puzzle!

My style is eclectic and strength based. I see human nature as intrinsically good. Sigmund Freud said we are bio-social animals. I believe a great deal in listening to one’s self talk. The more positive our dialogue with ourselves is, the more positive our dialogues with others and our lives are. I’m also experienced in CBT, DBT, MI, Solution Focused, ACT, Gestalt, Interpersonal, and person-centered counseling.

My training includes lots of wonderful supervision and workshops, a three-year certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Chicago, and two one month intensives with Virginia Satir, the founder of family therapy. Virginia taught that exploring the self is like mining gold. We all have gold inside of us. That is our basic goodness. A lot of emotional suffering is the result of being detoured from that basic goodness.

Life can feel like a lot sometimes, whether you're navigating anxiety, grief, addiction, or the emotional weight of caring for a loved one. Maybe things feel tangled, or you're used to being the strong one for everyone else. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. I want to understand your story, what’s been heavy lately, and what you’re hoping will feel different. Together, we can begin to make sense of it all and help you feel more steady, supported, and like yourself again.

I’m a therapist who helps adults navigate anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse disorders with zero judgment and plenty of heart. My style blends authentic humor with practical, solution-focused steps so you can make progress that actually fits your daily life. Wherever you are on your journey, we’ll tackle the hard stuff together and build a clear path toward feeling like yourself again.

When stress starts to build, it can affect more than just your day-to-day life. It can impact your mood, your energy, and your relationships. I work with adults and couples who are navigating anxiety, depression, workplace stress, and burnout. Many of my clients are used to juggling responsibilities, caring for others, and pushing through difficult seasons until they realize they're no longer feeling like themselves. You might feel constantly overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, or like you can’t fully “turn off” your mind. At the same time, stress can begin to show up in your relationships through miscommunication, distance, or frustration, making it harder to feel connected and supported.

I am a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over a decade of experience in mental health care, supporting individuals across inpatient and outpatient settings. Through my work, I have cared for clients with a wide range of needs, including chronic and severe mental health conditions, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel to navigate symptoms while trying to maintain daily life.

My care philosophy is centered on partnership. Treatment is not about taking over your care, but about working with you to explore your symptoms, goals, and values. Together, we develop a treatment plan that feels respectful, personalized, and empowering. If you have concerns or hesitations about medication, we will discuss all available options openly and thoughtfully, moving at a pace that feels right for you.

I work with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, and other mood and thought-related conditions. During the initial session, we focus on understanding your concerns, reviewing your history, and identifying practical steps toward improvement. Care may include psychiatric evaluation, medication management when appropriate, brief psychotherapy, education, and ongoing support.

I believe mental health care should feel supportive, clear, and collaborative—not rushed or overwhelming.

You do not have to face these challenges alone. My role is to help you reduce symptoms, strengthen coping skills, and regain balance so you can function at your best and move forward with confidence and stability.