Find a Therapist in West Chicago, Illinois.

We all think negatively at times; however, we are empowered because we can change the way we think in order to feel better and cope in the best way possible. In order to pursue optimal psychological health, one way to start is to begin to monitor our thinking regularly. The next step is to examine or question our thoughts and ask ourselves things like: Are our thoughts rational or reasonable? Are they helpful in changing the situation or making us feel better? Are they in proportion to what has happened? Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a particularly effective form of psychotherapy that can help you learn how to feel better especially if CBT is part of a comprehensive treatment plan

I believe our current struggles often have a link to past struggles. I work with clients to understand the both/and. What are the current challenges and struggles that you want to improve or change and in doing that how is it link to the past. In other words what previous distortions or hurts are causing the person current struggles and how to they build current health to grow and heal from previous hurts.

With every client, I strive to create an accepting, empathic, and warm environment while building a strong rapport. Building a strong rapport and therapeutic alliance is a top priority of mine while accurately and empathically supporting the client and creating a treatment plan. Under my care and support, you will feel heard, understood, and advocated for.

We can work together to develop a game plan to help you to to accomplish your goals for our work together. This will include decisions about how frequently to meet (example: once or twice weekly), your specific goals (and what will be different when the issue is resolved), options for working towards your goals, and what specific strategies you would like to use (I can suggest a variety of them for you - for example, perhaps you are interested in mindfulness, meditation, or laughter yoga!!)

Psychotherapy helps you to tap into your inner-most feelings and subconscious thoughts that control social/emotional behavior. Psychotherapy techniques will help you to identify and cope with challenges that keep you from realizing the life you idealize. Therapeutic techniques may include, but are not limited to, the client expressing any thoughts and feelings without censorship (free association) or analyzing dreams for meaning. In doing so, the client will gain self-awareness necessary to promote healthy personality and behavior changes.

I believe that you are the expert of your lived experience. I’m not going to tell you what to feel or how to process it. I am here to guide you and listen to what you need. As your therapist, I am here to both empathize and challenge you, while still meeting you where you are what. I will actively listen to you and create a space of compassion and safety. I will also help challenge you whether that be challenging self-defeating thoughts or helping you identify actions you can take to help yourself grow.

It is not always easy or comfortable to share how you are feeling, what you are struggling with, or thing that are bothering you with others even people you are very close to because it is very vulnerable. I am here to help you with that process of opening up and talking about issues that are negatively impacting your life. Therapy can help you acknowledge the issues and become more aware of how you want to manage, resolve, and work through them. This path can help you work towards your meaningful life while address the issues that may be standing in your way.

Kari Hunter has provided psychotherapy for individuals, couples and families for over 25 years. She offers many types of psychotherapy for problems such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, child and adolescent problems, and relationship struggles. Psychotherapy today incorporates our knowledge about brain science and behavioral change. Evidence from research has led to development of treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness strategies, and many types of Marital and Family Therapy.

Not every counselor has the ability, patience or interest in doing psychotherapy which I see as different from counseling as men are from women. I'm an experienced psychotherapist who has helped man clients deal with the internal and family of origin issues which lead to repetitive negative patterns of thinking, feeling and behavior. I'm not only a good listener, but engage the client in a process to feel more related with their internal lives so they can make healthier life choices. My clients have reported feeling more content and capable as a result of our work together.

My approach to psychotherapy starts with a careful assessment of the problem and your attempts to solve them. We will look at your whole life, your health, your relationships with loved ones, your relationship with God. Sometimes, we are living life out of balance or we are going through difficult transitions and we just need some coaching on how to get ourselves unstuck. Other times solutions seem much more difficult to find. I can help with both but I am especially committed to finding creative solutions for those times when that problem just doesn't seem to go away no matter how hard you try.

I believe that success in therapy relies upon a foundation of mutual trust and a sense of safety, and that the therapeutic alliance is one of the most important factors in helping clients improve and reach their goals. ​ I identify as a values-based therapist who uses empirically supported treatment options in a safe and confidential environment.

Psychotherapy is an effective way to gain insights, find hope, and get support. My approach is to demystify the psychotherapy experience. I am down to earth and like to provide support while also teaching you new skills and ideas to use in your life. It's not just talk therapy with me. In addition to processing stressors in your life I will also provide you with new real world tools to use.

Being properly diagnosis is the first order of business. Feeling comfortable with your therapist is also very important. Having clear and concise goals for psychotherapy helps both the client and therapist stay on course and ensure a successful outcome in a time frame that allows for efficient change that is long lasting. Also working in conjunction with medical personal can help better use the therapy process.