Anxiety and depression therapists and psychiatrists in Downers Grove, IL

I love working with teens, parents and adults who are looking to improve their resiliency, communication and coping skills. There are many challenges and demands that families must face, and I can build strong supportive relationships to help others navigate the obstacles and transitions that life brings. I strive to help clients feel understood and safe so they can work towards examining their feelings and needs while looking to gain calmness, confidence and clarity.

You want more than symptom management. You're not just looking for coping strategies. You want to understand yourself. You want to grieve fully, not efficiently. You want a therapeutic relationship that can hold complexity, contradiction, and mystery. You want someone who won't rush you toward resolution before you're ready, and who trusts that you have within you what healing requires. You want to be seen, not diagnosed, not fixed, but genuinely witnessed.

I'm a licensed clinical professional counselor with over 25 years of experience, and grief is at the heart of my work. I understand grief not as a problem to be solved but as a profound human process, one that touches identity, relationship, body, and spirit all at once. I'm also a certified grief educator, which means I bring both clinical depth and real psychoeducational grounding to our work together.

Motherhood changes you—but that doesn't mean you have to lose yourself along the way.

Whether you're preparing to welcome your first baby, adjusting to life with a newborn, juggling the demands of raising children, navigating divorce while parenting, or wondering who you are now that your children need you less, every stage of motherhood brings new challenges. These transitions can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or uncertain about what's next. You don't have to figure it out alone.

Welcome — I'm so glad you're here! With 23 years of experience as a school social worker, I am passionate about helping children, adolescents, and families navigate life's challenges and build the skills needed to thrive at home, school and in their communities. I work with children and teens ages 3-17, as well as parents and caregivers who are seeking support, guidance, and practical strategies to strengthen family relationships and improve daily functioning.

I specialize in working with neurodivergent children and adolescents, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), social-communication challenges, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, and behavioral challenges. My approach is strength-based, collaborative and tailored to each child's unique needs.

Dr. Maria Escobar is a licensed clinical social worker and Doctor of Social Work dedicated to advancing equity, empowerment, and well-being in diverse communities. With over 10 years of experience in the field, Dr. Escobar specializes in clinical practice areas, e.g., trauma-informed care, family systems, or mental health advocacy.