Anxiety Therapy & Depression Treatment in Chicago, IL

Anxiety & Depression

When Anxiety and Low Mood Weigh on Everyday Life

You lie awake at 3am catastrophizing about things you can’t control. Or you can’t get out of bed because everything feels pointless and heavy. Maybe it’s both, racing thoughts that lead to hopelessness, or numbness that gets interrupted by panic.

Your anxiety tells you everything’s about to fall apart. Your depression tells you nothing matters anyway. And you’re exhausted from fighting both.

Maybe you’ve tried to “think positive” or “just relax.” It didn’t work. Maybe you’ve white-knuckled your way through panic attacks, forcing smiles while drowning inside. Maybe you’re functioning, going to work, taking care of others, but barely surviving.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience, I help people break free from anxiety and depression using evidence-based approaches that address both the symptoms and the root causes. Not just “coping strategies” that feel like band-aids, but real, lasting change.

Your brain is stuck in patterns it learned to protect you, but those patterns aren't helping anymore.

What Anxiety and Depression Can Feel Like

Anxiety that won't shut up, racing thoughts

Your brain invents worst-case scenarios for everything. You can't turn it off. You're exhausted from running disaster simulations 24/7.

Panic attacks that come out of nowhere

Your brain invents worst-case scenarios for everything. You can't turn it off. You're exhausted from running disaster simulations 24/7.

Depression that makes everything feel heavy

You're not sad, you're numb. Nothing brings joy. Getting out of bed feels impossible. You're going through the motions but not really living.

Anxiety spirals into depression

You're anxious about being depressed. You're depressed about being anxious. You can't tell where one ends and the other begins.

Social anxiety, avoiding people

You cancel plans last minute. You rehearse conversations obsessively. Social situations feel like performances where everyone's watching you fail.

Perfectionism and fear of failure

Nothing you do is ever good enough. Every mistake feels catastrophic. You're paralyzed by the fear of not being perfect.

And now the question you're here to answer...
Will I ever feel normal again?

Yes, and we’ll do it together.

How Therapy for Anxiety and Depression Works

Working With a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) in Illinois

Anxiety and depression therapy is about more than just “talking about feelings.” It’s about retraining your brain, regulating your nervous system, and rebuilding your life.

Session 1-2: Assessment & Crisis Stabilization
We assess severity: Are you in crisis? Do you need a psychiatrist referral? Are you safe? We establish immediate coping skills for managing panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, or overwhelming anxiety. By the end of session 2, you’ll have a treatment plan.

Session 3-8: Understanding Your Patterns
We explore what’s driving your anxiety and depression: Is it trauma? Perfectionism? Relationship stress? Chemical imbalance? Situational? We identify triggers, patterns, and the thoughts that keep you stuck. You’ll learn grounding techniques and start challenging distorted thinking.

Session 9-20: Retraining Your Brain & Building New Patterns
This is where transformation happens. We use cognitive-behavioral strategies to challenge anxious and depressive thoughts. We practice behavioral activation (getting moving when depression says “stay in bed”). We work on exposure (facing fears instead of avoiding them). We address root causes (trauma, shame, perfectionism).

Session 20+: Maintenance & Relapse Prevention
As symptoms improve, we shift to less frequent sessions. We build relapse prevention skills: recognizing early warning signs, having a plan for setbacks, sustaining progress without ongoing therapy.

My Approach to Anxiety and Depression

I Explain the "Why"

I don’t just give you coping strategies. I help you understand what’s happening in your brain and nervous system. Knowledge is power.

Root Cause Work, Not Just Symptom Management

We don’t just manage anxiety and depression, we address what’s driving them. Trauma, perfectionism, attachment wounds, cultural stress.

I Work With Your Psychiatrist

If you’re on medication, I collaborate with your prescriber for integrated care. Therapy + medication is often most effective.

Where We'll Focus

Understanding the Self

Personal Development

Who Anxiety & Depression Therapy is for

Anxiety & Depression

Questions About Anxiety and Depression Therapy in Chicago

Most clients feel meaningful relief within 3-6 months (12-24 sessions). Severe or chronic anxiety/depression may take 6-12 months. Progress isn’t linear, some weeks are better than others.

That depends. For mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression, therapy alone is often effective. For severe symptoms, medication + therapy is usually most effective. I don’t prescribe, but I can refer you to a psychiatrist.

There are many reasons therapy doesn’t work: wrong therapist, wrong approach, not enough time, or symptoms too severe for therapy alone. Let’s figure out what went wrong and try a different approach.

Both matter. Brain chemistry (neurotransmitters) plays a role, but so do thoughts, behaviors, relationships, trauma, and life circumstances. Therapy addresses all of it.

Please tell me. Suicidal thoughts don’t mean you’re “crazy” or “beyond help.” They mean you’re in pain and need support. We’ll create a safety plan and assess whether you need additional support (hospitalization, intensive outpatient, medication).

Only if it’s relevant. Sometimes anxiety and depression are rooted in childhood experiences. Sometimes they’re situational or chemical. We focus on what’s actually driving YOUR symptoms.

“Cured” might not be the right word. With treatment, most people experience significant symptom reduction or remission. Some people have occasional flare-ups. The goal is to manage symptoms so they don’t control your life.

Yes, I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and United Healthcare for anxiety and depression therapy in Chicago, IL. Self-pay sessions are $200 for 60 minutes. Contact me to verify your specific plan’s coverage.

If anxiety is interfering with your sleep, work, relationships, or daily functioning, that’s usually a sign it’s worth exploring anxiety therapy. You don’t need to wait until you’re in crisis to start.

Anxiety and depression therapy specifically targets the thought patterns, nervous system responses, and behaviors that drive anxious and depressive symptoms, using approaches like cognitive-behavioral strategies and behavioral activation, in addition to the general support you’d get from individual therapy.

Where I See Clients

In-Person Therapy Locations

Streeterville / Magnificent Mile

Tuesday – Friday: 11 AM – 7 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM
401 North Michigan Avenue,
Suite 1225,
Chicago, IL 60611
Parking: Valet garage in the building, entered from Lower North Water Street. Public self-park garages a few blocks away: Nordstrom Garage (Shops at North Bridge), 516 N. Rush St., entrance on the west side of Rush between Illinois St. and Grand Ave.; and Ogden Plaza Garage, 300 E. North Water St. Paid street parking is also available.
Public Transit: CTA buses stop in front of the building, and the Red Line is a short walk away.

Downtown

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
11 AM – 8 PM
125 South Wacker Drive
Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60606
Parking: Paid street parking or multiple public garages..
Public Transit: CTA & Metra.

Ready to Feel Steadier?

Whether you’re navigating relationship struggles, identity questions, trauma recovery, or generational patterns you’re ready to break, I’m here to help. Fill out the form, and I will reach out to you as soon as I can.

Related reading: Anxiety and Depression in Marriage

This form is not for emergencies. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.

Please don’t include personal health details here. I’ll get back to you within one business day to schedule your first appointment.