In-Person in Chicago, IL 60613
I am not afraid of your big feelings, intense conflict, or choices you aren't proud of. I hold space for what the rest of the world tries to keep in the closet. I provide an authentic, nonjudgmental space to explore how ingrained patterns have influenced your life and how you can move forward to live the life you want.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Jewish, LGBTQ+ clients.
Treatment Approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Combines CBT with mindfulness to help regulate emotions, tolerate stress, and build stronger relationships. Originally designed for borderline personality disorder, it’s now used more broadly.
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Focuses on strengthening emotional bonds in couples or families. It helps people identify negative cycles and create more secure connections.
- Feminist Therapy Addresses how gender roles, power, and social inequality affect mental health. It empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs and systems.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
Approach Description: I take a direct, honest approach using Narrative, Strategic and Gottman therapy models to help you make change in the areas that brought you to therapy. I believe transformation can happen through insight, skill-building and reality checks. If you are looking to be encouraged and challenged to see improvement in your relationships, family and/or teenager, I’m the therapist for you.
I am a radical, no-bs abolitionist queer Jew. I welcome people with all identities, religions and politics. I specialize in working with couples, co-parents, and teenagers.
Education & Credentials
Riley Brennan ALMFT
- Non-Binary
- License # 208.001319
- Licensed in Illinois
- Practicing Since 2023
Education: MA in Couple and Family Therapy from Adler University (2024). I have received additional clinical education through the Institute for the Development of Human Arts’ School for Transformative Mental Health and the Gottman Institute.
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee 150
- Accepts Insurance
- BCBS PPO, Aetna PPO, Cigna PPO, Humana PPO