Trauma and PTSD therapists in Chicago, Illinois IL
Find experienced trauma and PTSD therapists in Chicago who provide testing, evidence-based treatment for trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and related challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Compare detailed therapist profiles and connect with a provider that’s right for you.
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Alyssa Lorenzo
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
I focus on the connection between trauma, chronic stress, and physical health.
3 Years Experience
In-Person in Chicago, IL 60640
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois
Dr. Selma Stainback
Psychologist, PsyD
I want to help people who have survived trauma get unstuck, move forward in ways that make sense, and live so that they feel in control in their own lives.
19 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Alignment Psychotherapy, PLLC
Psychologist, LP, PhD
Dr. Sypher is highly experienced in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), an evidence-based treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CPT is designed to help individuals process and make sense of traumatic experiences by identifying and challenging unhelpful beliefs that can develop in the aftermath of trauma. Through a structured and collaborative approach, Dr. Sypher supports clients in examining how trauma has impacted their thoughts about themselves, others, and the world, and in developing more balanced and adaptive perspectives. This work can lead to meaningful reductions in symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance, guilt, shame, and hypervigilance. With a focus on both clinical expertise and compassionate care, Dr. Sypher helps clients move toward recovery, regain a sense of control, and reconnect with their lives in a more grounded and empowered way.
3 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Emily Blitz
Psychologist, PsyD
Trauma doesn’t always come from one big event—small, repeated experiences can quietly shape how safe, seen, or steady you feel in the world. In our work, we create a supportive space to notice these patterns, understand how they affect your relationships and sense of self, and gently foster healing. Approached with curiosity and care, you can find greater safety, insight, and self-understanding.
12 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Sarah Jeziorski
Licensed Professional Counselor, LCPC, ATR, EMDR-Certified
I work with trauma and PTSD through an integrative lens, blending EMDR, Art Therapy, Somatic techniques, and Relational Talk therapy. Together, we'll help your nervous system heal, your story find expression, and your life more forward with greater freedom and ease.
8 Years Experience
In-Person in Chicago, IL 60647
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois
Ashley Pinto
Therapist, LCPC, CCTP
Trauma isn’t necessarily something that happens to you—it’s what happens inside you as a result of an overwhelming experience. It can leave the body stuck in survival mode, the mind cut off from its natural rhythms, and a person disconnected from their true self. It can show up as tension, emotional overwhelm, feeling numb, or reacting to everyday situations as if the danger is still present. While trauma affects both the body and the brain, the good news is that healing is possible. Approaches that help people reconnect with their bodies, understand their emotional and relational patterns, and restore a sense of safety can gradually release old survival responses and rebuild a felt sense of wholeness and resilience.
Trauma can impact us following a single incident (e.g., a car accident, attack, or medical procedure) or ongoing patterns of abuse, neglect, never feeling seen and heard by caregivers. Without adequate resources or treatment, the effects can linger long past the experience. Through integrative somatic trauma therapy, I help women develop a deeper understanding of their internal responses and expand their capacity to engage with life more fully. Together, we will work toward greater clarity, connection, and the ability to move forward in ways that feel more grounded, intentional, and aligned with who you truly are.
I no longer offer weekly insurance-based 53 minute sessions. After a decade of seeing clients under this model, I've shifted my practice to private pay customized services that better meet the needs of my niche clients. My customized Therapy Intensives are specially designed to offer you a more a more spacious, efficient, and streamlined for a deeper and more transformative experience. They are intended to be short-term and can serve as an adjunct to ongoing therapy with your already established therapist, such as in the case that you really enjoy the work you are doing with them but they do not specialize in an area that I do. I also offer monthly extended sessions (90 minutes to 2 hours) for those looking for a hybrid option, that allows for deeper work as well as ongoing support. Please visit my website for more details on how we can work together.
18 Years Experience
In-Person in Chicago, IL
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois
Dr. Aretha Steele (Mindful Healing Counseling)
Psychologist, PsyD
Hey! If you're carrying the weight of past wounds, we're here to offer a safe space and support. We specialize in helping teens and adults navigate through the impact of trauma. Together, we can work on understanding your experiences, finding healing, and building resilience. Our sessions provide a judgment-free zone where you can express yourself and work towards a brighter future. Healing from trauma is a courageous journey, and we're here to walk beside you every step of the way. Your well-being matters, and we're honored to be part of your path towards recovery and empowerment.
(Note: We have specific therapists who specialize in this area at our practice. See our website for more information)
(Note: We have specific therapists who specialize in this area at our practice. See our website for more information)
17 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Mary Mesiha
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LICSW
If you’ve experienced trauma, it can leave a lasting impact—sometimes in ways that are hard to put into words. You might feel anxious, disconnected, or easily overwhelmed, even when things seem “fine” on the outside.
In therapy, we’ll create a safe and supportive space where you can begin to make sense of your experiences at your own pace. Together, we’ll focus on helping you feel more grounded, regain a sense of stability, and move toward healing in a way that feels manageable and respectful of your process.
27 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Danielle Keys at Headway
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, M.S.ED, LCPC
Trauma is sometimes unknown or related to a specific event in one's life. During the assessment, you'll be asked specific questions in order to capture if there is trauma known in your life. Sometimes trauma is carried around through no fault of the client, however, the client has to choose to do something about it. I use Person-Centered, Dialectical Behavior, or Trauma-Focused CBT approaches with clients. The goal is to help client's express themselves without judgement, to be heard, validated, and encouraged to make choices to minimize and accept certain types of distress.
11 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Pavan Prasad
Psychiatrist, M.D.
Dr. Prasad specializes in treating mood disorders and Adult ADHD . He use a holistic approach, treating the full person rather than just symptoms. Dr. Prasad helps to treat treat mood, self-esteem, and concentration problems, as well as working with more diffuse issues around identity, interpersonal
11 Years Experience
In-Person in Chicago, IL 60611
Summer Stewart, PsyD
Pre-Licensed Professional, PsyD
Trauma can leave you feeling on edge, disconnected, or like you’re constantly reliving the past. Maybe certain memories, people, or places still trigger you in ways that feel out of your control. If you’re feeling stuck in survival mode, therapy offers a safe space to begin healing. We’ll move at your pace—unpacking the pain, calming your nervous system, and helping you feel safe in your body again. You are not what happened to you—and you don’t have to face it alone.
7 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Reshma Rampersad
Psychologist, Psy.D.
Trauma can be overwhelming and very impactful. My approach to trauma therapy is grounded in safety, empowerment, and healing at your own pace. I provide a compassionate and supportive space where you can process your experiences without fear or judgment. Using evidence-based approaches such as trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and somatic awareness, we work together to reduce distress, build resilience, and restore a sense of control in your life. My goal is to help you move forward with strength, self-compassion, and a renewed sense of well-being.
7 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Nostos Psychotherapy
Psychologist, PsyD
We work from a trauma informed lens that offers healing and growth from and beyond trauma. We understand the complexities of trauma and PTSD and are well versed in helping individuals to find a sense of empowerment and strength in recovery from trauma.
12 Years Experience
In-Person in Chicago, IL 60661
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois
Patrick R. Gunderson, Ph.D., PLLC
Psychologist, PhD
I can help you achieve trauma resolution by processing traumatic incidents, reducing the associated anxiety and anger, and assisting in therapeutic corrective experiences. An important part of the healing process is to address traumatic incidents from the root, which can even be from childhood.
15 Years Experience
In-Person in Chicago, IL 60657
Online Therapy for Anxiety, Burnout & Life Transitions -AZ, IL, OH
Counselor/Therapist, LPC, LCPC
Trauma can leave you feeling on edge, disconnected, or stuck in patterns you can’t seem to break even long after the event has passed. I provide a grounded, compassionate space to help you understand your nervous system, process painful memories at a pace that feels safe, and rebuild a sense of trust in yourself and others. Using evidence based approaches like CBT and mindfulness‑based strategies, along with faith integrated support for clients who desire it, we work together to reduce triggers, strengthen emotional regulation, and create lasting healing. You don’t have to navigate trauma alone — recovery is possible, and you deserve support that honors both your story and your strength.
9 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Mun & Mind Therapy PLLC
Psychologist
Trauma can result from a single event or a series of experiences that overwhelm our ability to cope. Its effects can show up in thoughts, emotions, relationships, and the body long after the experience has passed. At Mun & Mind, we provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive care that helps clients process difficult experiences, develop a sense of safety, and reconnect with themselves in meaningful ways.
2 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Natalie A Shafer
Counselor/Therapist, MA, NCC, LPC
Trauma often sits at the core of many emotional and relational challenges, shaping how we experience ourselves, others, and the world. It’s natural for the body and mind to respond to reminders of past experiences as if they are still happening. I work with you to gently process and rework these experiences, so they feel more integrated and rooted in the past rather than the present.
2 Years Experience
In-Person in Chicago, IL 60607
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois
Jaylan Abd Elrahman
Psychologist, PhD
What an honor it is to be a supportive companion on your path to deeper wellness! I see therapy as a process wherein people can grow a more honest connection with themselves, learn and practice hope-generating perspectives and skills in their lives and stretch their imaginations for how to lovingly create a future that feels meaningful and liberating!
Dr. Jay works with adolescents and adults who:
* Struggle to manage the stresses of daily life and experience emotional distress, depression, grief and/or anxiety
* Are survivors of complex trauma, interpersonal, generational and/or collective trauma
* Yearn to clarify purpose in life, often exploring existential, spiritual, and identity-based questions
* Seek a space to dream beyond the moment they are in to create new futures for themselves and those they love
* Values justice-oriented, compassionate, and creative relational care
6 Years Experience
In-Person in Chicago, IL 60608
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois
Michael Keigher
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, MSW, LCSW
Trauma isn’t defined by the event — it’s how your body and mind carry the impact. Whether your trauma was big, small, or hard to name, I offer a nonjudgmental space to unpack the pain, reconnect with safety, and move toward healing at your own pace. You are not broken — and you don’t have to carry it alone.
2 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Sue De Santo
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW
I work with individuals carrying the weight of past trauma, painful relationships, and experiences that still live in the body as anxiety, numbness, or feeling constantly on guard. I bring compassion and relief to the places that feel stuck or overwhelmed. . My goal is to offer a steady, caring space where you don’t have to do it alone and where healing becomes possible not just in your mind, but in your body and relationships too.
35 Years Experience
Online in Chicago, IL Illinois (Online Only)
Chicago's size and diversity mean therapists here cover an exceptionally wide range of specialties, with strong representation in trauma, anxiety, depression, and cultural identity work across the city's distinct neighborhoods. The South and West Sides experience community-level trauma tied to violence and systemic inequity, driving particular demand for therapists who specialize in PTSD, grief, and resilience-focused work. The city is home to Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern Medicine, and the University of Chicago Medicine, with a large independent practice community concentrated in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, and the Loop. Chicago also has robust bilingual therapy communities serving its large Spanish-speaking, Polish, and Mandarin-speaking populations.
Trauma and PTSD therapists in Chicago, Illinois Statistics
Trauma and PTSD therapists in Chicago, Illinois average 16 years of experience and charge around $200 per session. 98% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (75%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (40%), and Psychodynamic Therapy (36%).
Average years in practice
16 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$200
Accept insurance
51%
Offer sliding scale
38%
Gender ID
| 63% |
Female |
|
| 30% |
Male |
|
| 4% |
Non-Binary |
|
| 3% |
Gender Fluid |
|
Session Type
| 56% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 42% |
Online Only |
|
| 2% |
In Person Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 75% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 40% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 36% | Psychodynamic Therapy |
| 36% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 29% | Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) |
| 28% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 27% | Existential / Humanistic Therapy |
Ages Served
| 97% | Adult |
| 65% | Young Adult |
| 51% | Senior |
| 45% | Teen |
| 20% | Children |
Client Focus
| 57% | Women |
| 44% | LGBTQ+ |
| 38% | Men |
| 29% | Military / Veterans |
| 25% | Hispanic / Latino |