Contemplative Psychotherapy Therapists in Rockford, IL

True change often requires more than just learning new coping skills; it requires an environment where you can safely explore the deeper layers of your experience. With over three decades of clinical practice, my approach is rooted in the belief that the relationship between therapist and client is the primary engine for lasting transformation. I specialize in a developmental psychodynamic model, which means, though our relationship, we explore what factors stand behind patterns that have been interfering with experiencing life in the way you really want, whether it be in relationships, at work or in leisure pursuits. If you have the interest or inclination, this exploration can also take place within a Jungian framework, looking at ways to understand ourselves more deeply, such as through dreams or creative productions, and to better integrate conscious and unconscious life. I have particular expertise and experience working with trauma in a way that integrates emotional safety, the capacity for self-regulation and the mind-body connection. I also am well experienced working with late adolescents and young adults as they (and their families) navigate greater independence and autonomy, including when this navigation stalls, leaving the young person stuck and struggling to move forward or take steps to leave the parental home. Whether we are working through the challenges of a major life transition or diving into the symbolic language of dreams through a Jungian lens, my goal is to help you move beyond temporary relief toward a more integrated, meaningful life. Whether you are a parent seeking support for your child or an adult looking to rediscover purpose in mid-life or retirement, I approach psychotherapy as a quintessential tool and the therapy relationship as a grounding and growth-oriented connection.

I provide online therapy centered on personal growth and fulfillment. Recognizing that life's difficulties often prompt the search for a therapist, our work will address these immediate concerns while exploring the broader path to a meaningful life, uniquely defined by you. My approach integrates relational psychoanalysis, integral philosophy, and Eastern wisdom traditions, emphasizing mindfulness and compassion. I prioritize the present moment within our therapeutic relationship, using this focus as a means for reflection, insight, and transformation as we collaboratively create a space to understand the significant particular and universal experiences of your life.

Hello, I'm Dr. Ruth Viehoff, and it's a pleasure to virtually meet you! My practice is geared towards gen Z and millennial clients who struggle with anxiety, worry, perfectionism, and ADHD. My clients are often college students, graduate students, or are early in their careers as high-powered professionals. I have experience working with physicians and other medical professionals, engineers, high-stress business professionals, and lawyers. Often my clients over-schedule, over-optimize, and feel like they are working so hard to keep things in order in their lives. To other people, it may appear that you have it all together, but they don't see your internal struggle, your sense of overwhelm, and your hope that you will finally get a grasp on things tomorrow. Often my clients rely on achievement and external forms of validation and praise to feel like they are doing enough. They struggle to internally approve of themselves and their efforts. In therapy, I help my clients to cultivate self-compassion, re-evaluate and replace unhealthy personal standards, and increase attention to their own internal wants, needs, and opinions. Therapy is an opportunity to cultivate your own internal sense of knowing and increase your sense of agency in your own life. Reach out to me today to book a free consultation call!

I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families to create meaningful, measurable change in how they feel, function, and relate to others. My approach is evidence-based, empathic, and solution-focused, with therapy centered on helping you achieve clear goals so that progress is noticeable in daily life. I work with a wide range of concerns—including anxiety, low mood, loss, self-doubt, and life transitions—and have particular expertise in performance psychology, public speaking anxiety, panic attacks, fear of flying, and questions of purpose or meaning. If you’re unsure whether therapy is the right next step, I also offer a one-time consultation assessment to help clarify what may be contributing to your current stress and identify effective pathways forward, whether through therapy or other strategies.

We are all about empowering women through psychotherapy! Our primary physical location is in Chicago + we're providing online therapy to clients across the states of Illinois and Florida.

Rockford is one of Illinois's largest cities and one of the Midwest's most economically challenged mid-size communities, having experienced significant deindustrialization following the loss of its manufacturing base, with high rates of poverty and crime that create substantial mental health need across the population. The city has a racially diverse population and a significant Black community that has been disproportionately affected by economic decline and the associated stresses of poverty, violence, and limited opportunity. SwedishAmerican Hospital, now part of UW Health, provides behavioral health services, and community mental health centers serve residents who cannot access private care. Common therapy concerns include trauma, depression, anxiety, economic stress, and the particular challenges of living in a community grappling openly with how to rebuild and reimagine itself after decades of industrial decline.

Gender ID

	58%	Female
	42%	Male

Session Type

	67%	Online Only
	33%	In Person and Online

Top Specialties

83%	Anxiety or Fears
75%	Depression
58%	Relationship and Marriage Counseling
58%	Stress
50%	Divorce
50%	Loss or Grief
50%	Men’s Issues

Ages Served

100%	Adult
58%	Young Adult
50%	Senior
33%	Teen

Client Focus

50%	Women
42%	Men
25%	Jewish
25%	LGBTQ+
17%	Buddhist

Contemplative Psychotherapy therapists in Rockford, IL

Michael Losoff

Dr. Daniel Cantor

Dr. Ruth Viehoff

Alan Jacobson, Psy.D.

Balanced Awakening PC