Theresa McCay Boutross (She/Her)
Marriage and Family Therapist, LCSW, CADC. CMFT
In-Person in Winnetka, IL 60093
In-Person in Palm Harbor, FL
I am a seasoned therapist with over 25 years of experience. I assist high-functioning individuals in developing the skills necessary to address whatever roadblocks life presents. It may be an issue regarding a relationship with a family member, a work-related challenge, or more complex issues such as divorce, addiction, adoption, or a significant loss. Whatever it may be, I am equipped to help see you through these real-life challenges and comfort you with the wisdom that there is a solution.
Life Happens and we need to be prepared to manage whatever comes our way. Through an eclectic treatment modality, I assist individuals, couples, adolescents and The Family System to achieve and maintain their highest functioning.
Successful Psychotherapy is were stellar education meets relational artistry. Simply stated, you present the facts, feelings, and resistance, and I help you paint the picture to uncover a deeper understanding with your purposeful meaning in life. From there, I present you with a flash light to find your way. Along this path, it’s my hope and goal for my clients to develop new tools that lead to an optimally fulfilled life. Life is a process, not a destination and I'm honored to join my clients on their journey.
Finding a therapist to assist in your families well-being can be a difficult endeavor. I understand the complexities of this decision I respect that you may want to meet me in person to decide if we are a good fit for you and your family. I welcome you to come in for a free 30 minutes consultation to discuss your current needs. It is my hope and goal to help each member of the family identify their individual challenges so to strengthen the entire system. While we can not change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges that may feel
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Family, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Men, Women clients.
Languages: English
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.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Family Systems Therapy Looks at problems within the context of the family as a whole. It aims to improve communication and balance in family relationships.
- Gottman Method Couples Therapy Based on decades of research, this method gives couples tools to improve communication, manage conflict, and strengthen intimacy.
- Hypnotherapy Uses guided relaxation and focus to access the subconscious mind. It is often used for habits, anxiety, and pain management.
- Imago Relationship Therapy Helps couples understand how childhood experiences influence adult relationships. It teaches communication techniques to deepen connection.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Light Therapy (Phototherapy) Uses exposure to bright light to regulate mood. It is best known for treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Play Therapy Uses toys, games, and creative play to help children express emotions. It is especially useful when children can’t fully verbalize their feelings.
- Psychoeducational Therapy Provides education and coping tools about mental health conditions. It empowers clients with knowledge and practical skills.
- Sandplay Therapy Uses sand trays and miniature figures to allow symbolic expression. It is especially helpful for children and trauma survivors.
Approach Description: I am a seasoned therapist that assists high functioning individuals with developing the skills to address whatever roadblocks life is presenting. It may be an issue regarding a relationship with a family member, a work related challenge or more complex issues such as divorce, addiction, adoption or a significant loss. Whatever it may be, I am equipped to help see you through these real life challenges, and comfort you with the wisdom that there is a solution.
Life Happens and we need to be prepared to manage whatever comes our way. Through an eclectic treatment modality, I assist individuals, couples, adolescents and The Family System to achieve and maintain their highest functioning.
Successful Psychotherapy is were stellar education meets relational artistry. Simply stated, you present the facts, feelings, and resistance, and I help you paint the picture to uncover a deeper understanding with your purposeful meaning in life. From there, I present you with a flash light to find your way. Along this path, it’s my hope and goal for my clients to develop new tools that lead to an optimally fulfilled life. Life is a process, not a destination and I'm honored to join my clients on their journey.
Finding a therapist to assist in your families well-being can be a difficult endeavor. I understand the complexities of this decision I respect that you may want to meet me in person to decide if we are a good fit for you and your family. I welcome you to come in for a free 30 minutes consultation to discuss your current needs. It is my hope and goal to help each member of the family identify their individual challenges so to strengthen the entire system. While we can not change difficult situations of the past, we can work together to better understand and resolve challenges that may feel overwhelming today.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 200 -350
- Out of Network
- I do not accept Insurance- I accept Health Savings Accounts & All major credit cards
Education & Credentials
Theresa McCay Boutross LCSW, CADC. CMFT
- Female
- License # 149009834 Illinois , SW20739 Florida , 7468 Tennessee, LC23697 Maine
- Licensed in Illinois, Florida, Tennessee and Maine
- Practicing Since 1999
Education: Education
University of Chicago * Masters in Clinical Social Work
Northwestern University * B.S. Psychology
Chicago Center for Family Health * Certified Marriage & Family Therapist
The Wellness Institute * Advanced Clinical Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy
Theresa McCay Boutross Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Winnetka, IL 60093 and Palm Harbor, FL
- Available Online for residents of Multiple States Florida, Illinois, Maine, Tennessee
- Online Therapy Details: teletherapy.io
Theresa is a certified Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in the treatment of Complex Family Systems. Theresa is an advocate for Children & Adolescents and has specialized in their treatment since serving her internship in the University of Chicago Hospital's Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Department. She maintains a private practice in both Winnetka, Illinois, and the Palm Harbor, Dunedin, and Clearwater areas. Theresa's Winnetka location is directly across from New Trier High School (East Campus).
She has over 20 years of experience as a marriage and family therapist, and is a graduate of both Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, with extensive training from the Northwestern Stone Institute of Psychiatry and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Chicago Hospital.
Theresa is your local resource for: High Functioning Adolescents transitioning to University, Couples and Complex Family System Concerns- including Families in Divorce, Addictions, Disordered Eating, Cutting, Couples in Early Recovery, Child Custody Mediation, Family Restructuring/Blended Families, Adoption, Child/Parent Reunification, Relational Patterns of the ACOA and Codependents.
Among her areas of expertise are challenges in the areas of Addiction, Adoption, Infertility Issues & their effects on Marriage, Sensory Integration Issues with Children/Parenting Challenges, Blended Family Challenges, Divorce, Custody Mediation, and Co-parenting Issues.
In addition to being a prominent Family therapist, Theresa is a proud parent of two and the author of a children's book, Forever Family: The Adoption Story.
Theresa is a Strengths Resiliency Family Systems therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support (Strength Resilience Identification) and practical feedback to help clients effectively address personal life stage challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each client. These techniques include Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, SandTray, CBT, DBT, and psychodynamic modalities. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.