Heartwood

With a focus on supporting health and well being, psychotherapists at Heartwood offer empowering and collaborative approaches that facilitate your natural abilities to heal and grow and live more fully. We are independent practitioners.

We have psychotherapists adept at addressing a wide range of issues including depression, stress, anxiety, trauma, co-dependency, addiction, grief, relationship challenges, making difficult decisions, and parenting. We can help you work though whatever you are up against, move past blocks, feel more balanced, have more ease in decision making and enjoyment in relationships.

We offer a variety of holistic psychotherapy approaches. We provide adult, adolescent, family, couples and group therapy, as well as training and supervision for mental health professionals.

At Heartwood psychotherapists work in a community with other professional health and wellness practitioners, from massage therapists to integrative physicians and we can assist you with any referrals you may want to support you with your health goals.

To learn more about our specialties and approaches, please refer to the psychotherapists’ biographies. When you are ready to schedule an appointment or need more information, please contact an individual therapist directly. We will be happy to answer your questions to help you select a provider who is appropriate for your needs.

To Schedule Your Appointment
Appointments are made by contacting practitioners directly at the numbers or email addresses listed.

Members

Evoto-6.0.0-581
847.602.0486

Gretchen Genz Davidson

I graduated with my MSW from Loyola University Chicago in 1990, so I can safely say I’m a “seasoned” psychotherapist. Fun fact: My B.A. is in theatre and I spent a decade acting in Chicago, Washington, Tennessee, West Virginia and North Carolina. My social work career started in an agency, doing individual, couples, child and family therapy, but I have since focused more narrowly on individuals only, working with the issues of codependency, trauma treatment and narcissistic abuse recovery. I was certified as an EMDR practitioner in 2015, but I still enjoy traditional talk therapy as well as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

My emphasis is on helping clients go a bit deeper in their self-exploration for results that will be not only healing but lasting, although “tune-ups” in the aftermath of regular therapy are also encouraged. After all, we are all works in progress! I strive to provide a warm, interactive, and safe environment with generous feedback and encouragement. I live in the big, bad city with my twin 10 year old calico cats and love theatre, creative writing, time with friends and family, and travel.

Credentials:

MSW, LCSW

Katelyn-5684
312-680-4878

Katelyn Easter

I am a down-to-earth and warm, yet direct, therapist who strives to make you feel heard and seen for your experience. I guide clients to an understanding as to why behaviors or patterns might be occurring in order to prevent them from continuing or resurfacing. Through empathy and understanding, I invite clients to implement learned skills and techniques to reach their goals. I want to provide you with lasting changes, not just quick fixes. This is why I believe exploring and understanding the context in which a client lives is imperative as this will guide what treatment, skills, and techniques will work for your particular environment and situation. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Divorce Mediator, an Adjunct Faculty Instructor in Chicago, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.

Credentials:

MS, LMFT

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847.987.1497

Donald Halperin

My name is Donald Halperin, and I am a licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience across a variety of settings. Over my career, I have worked as a psychotherapist, supervisor, consultant, and director of social work services. I also maintain a private practice serving adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, and personal growth.

My goal is to create a comfortable, safe, and non-judgmental relationship in which people feel free to speak honestly and openly about their concerns. Together, we explore their hopes, dreams, conflicts, and worries, with the aim of strengthening their capacity for self-observation. I believe that the better we understand ourselves, the better equipped we are to make meaningful life decisions.

To schedule a consultation or learn more, please contact me at 847-987-1497 or donaldhalperin@yahoo.com.

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847-323-1663

Rainer Huemer

My goal is to assist each of my clients in becoming more of the author of his or her life. Whether your aim is coping, healing or change and transformation, my intent is to invite all of who you are into the therapeutic relationship and to deepen your experience of yourself in our sessions and ultimately in everyday life. Regardless of the mental health issue you are dealing with or the difficulty you may experience with specific life transitions, together we can work on changing the tone and the quality of your life. We will discover what you can control, and I will help you to relate more optimally to what you can not.

My orientation in therapy is humanistic, existential, experiential and body-centered. If these brief lines speak to you in any way, please call. I accept BCBS IL PPO and offer sliding scale fees as well.

Credentials:

LCSW

bio-david-johnson
847-475-3017

David Johnson

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with additional training in addictions, hypnotherapy, Gestalt therapy and Self Acceptance Training. I hold a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Chicago. For over 20 years, I have counseled individuals, couples and groups regarding issues including addictions and recovery work, identity, codependency, self-care, relationship issues, personal growth, and spiritual awareness. Recognizing that healing needs to take place in the mind, body, spirit and emotions, I utilize a holistic approach.  This includes special guided imagery techniques available for individuals with chronic illness. My available hours are Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings.

Credentials:

LCSW

Theodora McClain-Cohen

I am a clinical therapist with over 8 years of experience in the counseling and community mental health space. I work primarily with adolescents and adults who are looking for support in managing depression, anxiety, or coming to terms with major life transitions. I also take a strong interest in assisting individuals work through burnout and establish an effective work-life balance. I believe that each person comes into therapy with unique and complex challenges, and as such I take a holistic approach to therapy. I draw particularly from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy when addressing depression and anxiety, and place a strong emphasis on self-compassion and radical acceptance. I utilize narrative therapy when assisting individuals develop an understanding of their experiences as part of their larger story when addressing trauma. My goal is to assist you in building a better understanding of yourself in a non-judgemental and empathic way.

Insurance: BCBS PPO and United Healthcare

Credentials:

LCSW

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708-289-3899

Nancy Paul

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and licensed bodyworker. I integrate elements of psychotherapy, mindfulness, inner dialogue, and bodywork to help clients access resources beneath their level of consciousness, to use their bodies to explore their psyche, and to embrace all parts of themselves.

I facilitate harmony by listening deeply and encouraging inner dialogue. Clients are gently guided towards psycho-spiritual health through an approach that integrates elements of various gentle approaches such as Person-Centered Psychotherapy, guided meditation, EMDR, CranioSacral Therapy, and inner dialogue. I tune into the body/mind/psyche as one and help clients find mindful acceptance and peace.

Credentials:

LCPC, LMT

Megan Riesgo

Life is challenging and ever- changing and sometimes we need support to navigate. I am a therapist and coach dedicated to guiding individuals and couples to align with their values and create meaningful change. I integrate body-based support utilizing movement, nature, sound (Safe & Sound Protocol), and regulation for supporting change and trauma recovery. I have advanced training in perinatal mental health, couples communication, and Somatic Experiencing (Advanced Level 2) and I use skills from these modalities to meet my clients where they are. I guide clients through life transitions, self-compassion, mindful eating, and relationship connection. My approach incorporates all the different parts of oneself and I believe the client is the expert of their own journey. Additional supports include coaching workshops using seasons, movement, and books. All therapy and coaching services are self pay. Contact to set up a free 15 minute phone consultation to discuss options for support.

Credentials:

LCPC, PMH-C

Alyse_Rynor_20260615-47
312.492.4462

Alyse Rynor

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been helping women create meaningful change in their lives since 1993. My practice focuses on supporting women in difficult relationships, including narcissistic or emotionally challenging ones, while helping them reconnect with themselves and their inner wisdom.

I offer virtual and in-person therapy and take a holistic approach that honors the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—not just the problem that brings them to therapy. In addition to my clinical work, I am a Certified Holistic Health Coach specializing in nutrition and lifestyle wellness as foundations for self-care, and a Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, leading restorative experiences in nature that support connection, presence, and healing.

I am passionate about bringing women together for groups, classes, and workshops that foster growth, self-connection, and a renewed vision for what is possible in their lives.

I view therapy as part of the soul’s journey, and find it an honor to walk alongside clients as they find their way forward.

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847-323-1717

Marsha Smith

As a psychotherapist for 25 years, I support people to find solutions, make changes to deal well with life challenges and have more satisfaction in life. I offer empathic and practical approaches to help with a variety of psychological and social challenges, including relationship issues, anxiety, depression, parenting, work, grief, and coping well with health issues.  My collaborative approach helps people increase their ability to deal with stress and frustration with more calm and take the next steps to creatively solve problems. I offer individual therapy with adults, both in person and virtually, as well as training and consultation for practitioners. I am in network with BC/BS PPO and Medicare.

Credentials:

LCSW

Virtual Members

Arielle Drescher
847-440-4295

Arielle Drescher

Are you constantly comparing yourself to others around you? Not feeling good enough, smart enough, attractive enough? Do you find yourself frequently frustrated about where you are in your life? I work with clients who are feeling stuck, anxious, and are tired of living on a hamster wheel of habits that no longer feel authentic to the person they want to become. I recognize that sharing and processing life events can be incredibly challenging and vulnerable. I show up for you, helping you develop skills to navigate difficult and necessary conversations. In session you can expect a dash of humor, a sprinkle of healthy confrontation, and a whole lot of navigating uncomfortable feelings. We’ll start by creating a plan based around your primary concerns, and identify everyday problems that have you feeling stuck and unsatisfied. Together, we can explore how to develop narratives and utilize tools to help you shift and reach your goals.

I specialize in working with individuals struggling to manage feelings of “not enoughness”, chronic illness, work/life balance, self-esteem, anxiety, and dysfunctional relationships. I am passionate about helping you pivot. It’s OKAY to want to step out of old patterns that have you experiencing unsatisfying outcomes. Together, we can work to acknowledge the pain and discomfort without becoming it.

Our Reality LLC specializes in providing virtual and “walk and talk” psychotherapy services for tweens, teens, and twenty-somethings. Still have questions? Check out www.ourrealityllc.com for more information or email info@Ourrealityllc.com to schedule a free 15-minute phone or video consultation.I look forward to connecting with you!

Credentials:

LCSW, MSW