Therapy Chicago
Andrew McNaughton, LCSW, CADC As we age, it can become increasingly difficult to meet new people and make new friends. If we are lucky, we hold onto some older friendships, but as real-life circumstances change (work, marriage, parenthood, etc.), we can find ourselves less engaged with our social circle. The solution to this problem would seem obvious: meet new people! But this is not as easy as it might seem. In my work as a therapist, one…
Read More
Shannon M. Duffy, MFT, LCPC Audio Version Perfectionism is a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable. However, perfectionism can be viewed as a motivator for wanting to achieve one’s best and in turn can cause despair if you are unable to be the best. When perfectionism goes beyond the need to achieve high-standards to become distressing is where therapy can be helpful to understand those thought patterns and behaviors, in addition to identifying positive…
Read More
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling If you have ever felt depressed and experienced a lack of motivation, you have probably been told at some point to go take a walk, hang out with friends, or “just go do something.” It also isn’t news to you that just “doing something” is so much easier said than done. When you feel depressed, it isn’t that you don’t want to do things, it is that getting motivated to…
Read More
Seeing your loved one struggling with an addiction is very difficult for not only you but everyone else around you, including the individual who is addicted. Assuring that your loved one who is struggling with an addiction is the first step, but then for everyone who may be involved in their lives to also seek support. Family therapy can be beneficial for everyone so everyone can understand the addiction and identify ways to help and support. This…
Read More
We live in a society where many different people are walking their own paths of adversity and also resilience. I come across many clients who have truly struggled in their lives and are searching for the guidance and coping skills to overcome their adversities. Individuals who are searching for these skills truly exhibit something most people strive for: resilience. A recent Medium article titled, “Resilience: How to Rescue Yourself from Adversity,” discussed this very topic that I…
Read More
Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Have you ever considered attending a support group? Many people find support groups to be helpful when they are facing a variety of issues, such as substance use, trauma, and mood regulation. These groups are usually led by volunteers and are often offered at no cost to participants. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotic Anonymous (NA) are examples of well-known support groups, but there are many more that you might not have heard…
Read More
Amanda Gregory, LCPC, EMDR Practitioner Therapy groups and support groups are often spoken of as if they’re interchangeable, but they are not the same. It’s true that they are similar. Both types of groups can be sources of valuable treatment information as well as validation, acceptance, empathy, belonging, and mentorship. But therapy groups—sometimes called group therapy—and support groups have a few distinct differences. Here’s what you should know. Group Leadership. Perhaps the most significant distinction is that…
Read More
Madissyn Fredericks, Licensed Professional Counselor, Symmetry Counseling The idea of living in the present moment, also known as mindfulness, is a foreign concept to many. We all get so wrapped up in multi-tasking, worrying about the future, and ruminating on the past that we don’t get to appreciate what is happening right now, in this moment. Not only are you more productive when you are focusing on the present, but you are also more able to live…
Read More
Struggling with depression can be incredibly challenging for an individual, but it can also be very challenging for their friends or family members who can’t seem to help their loved one feel better. One of the first questions I ask a client who is struggling with depression is what kind of support system they have in place. The reason I ask is that a good support system is one way to move closer to the end goal…
Read MoreAt Symmetry Counseling, we are proud of our staff of highly trained and experienced licensed mental health professionals. In the video above, you can get to know Laura Cox, who is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) at our practice. If you are interested in receiving therapy from Laura, make an appointment today. What made you decide to become a therapist? I always knew I wanted to be in a helping field, whether that be a doctor or…
Read MoreDo You Need Help?
Not what you were looking for?