Couples therapists in Illinois

Your hands are full right now: the anxiety that hums under everything, the stress of juggling relationships, career, and the self-care that keeps slipping to the bottom of your list. Maybe a transition has left you questioning who you are, or you're grieving the loss of someone you love, a relationship, or a future you'd imagined. Wherever you are, you don't have to carry it alone. I work with individuals through these moments, with a particular focus on women's mental health and wellness.

I have been a therapist for over twenty five years with a varied background including hospice, nursing homes, home care and individual counseling settings. I became a licensed, clinical social worker after graduating from the University of IL-Urbana 30 years ago.

My therapeutic style is to ask a lot of questions and really try to find the answers to what is bothering you. In our sessions, you will cry, laugh, talk excessively or talk a little. Our sessions will be all about you and what you need in the moment. I want our sessions to be a safe place for you to be comfortable. Bring your treats and your tissues. Bring your patience and your strength. We will be together and I will support you when you are feeling weak. Usually, I see what makes you special first. You will need to tell me what is wrong.

Making that first call for therapy can feel overwhelming. If you’re here, you’re likely carrying something heavy, and you’re looking for someone who can sit in that space with you without judgment or pressure. I understand that, and I honor the courage it takes to reach out.

As a therapist, I believe healing happens within a relationship built on shared humanity—not a hierarchy. One of my favorite reminders comes from Brené Brown: “Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.” I am not the healer and you are not the wounded. We are equals doing hard, meaningful work together.

Are you looking for a therapist who understands your culture and speaks your language? I can help. I am fluent in Spanish, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, and German.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor with 40 years of clinical experience. I work with adults, children, and adolescents, and I value each person’s cultural background, identity, and lived experience.

I'm a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with a background that includes years of work with people navigating some of the hardest chapters of their lives — including incarcerated individuals, people struggling with addiction, and those carrying cultural weight that doesn't show up in a standard intake form. I'm South Asian, I grew up navigating two worlds, and that shapes how I show up for clients who've had to figure things out without a clear map. I don't do therapy with a clipboard. I'm direct, I'm real, and I'm genuinely interested in what's underneath the surface.

Some weight is hard to name. Grief that surfaces unexpectedly. Trauma that won’t stay in the past. Anxiety that makes the present feel unmanageable. Whatever you’re carrying, I’m here to help you make sense of it.

I work with adults and adolescents, navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and major life transitions, including end-of-life care for individuals and families facing serious illness. With 8 years of experience across criminal justice and clinical social work, I bring a grounded, practical perspective to therapy, one that takes your full story into account, not just the presenting problem.

My approach is client-centered, strengths-based, and collaborative. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel heard, respected, and free from judgment. Together, we can better understand what you’re experiencing, build meaningful coping strategies, and identify practical steps toward healing and greater emotional well-being.

You don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Wherever you are in your journey, I’m here to meet you there.

I offer support and skills to those exploring identity, intimacy, or relational complexity—whether in gender, sexuality, kink, or deocolonized relationships. They may be sitting with grief, unraveling the impact of trauma, or feeling the weight of past experiences in their body. They long for connection but struggle with vulnerability, trust, or belonging. Some feel stuck in cycles of overwhelm, while others are questioning the stories they’ve been told about who they are. They seek a space where they can be seen without judgment, process their experiences, and make sense of the systems shaping their lives.

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.

Hi, and welcome! I’m Jamie, and I’m really glad you’ve taken this step to prioritize yourself. The next, and most important part, is finding a therapist who feels like the right fit for you.

I am experienced and educated in multiple approaches of therapy, integrating the mind and body to address insecurities with emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. My approach is informed by your unique personality, history, values, and goals to weave together a treatment map that feels meaningful and relevant.

As a therapist who has overcome personal trauma and hurdles to becoming a more secure and healthy person, I know what it’s like to be on the other side. I offer a completely nonjudgmental, non-pressured, but structured approach.