Top-Rated Trauma Therapists in Chicago

Takeaway: Healing from trauma doesn’t need to hold you back any longer. With our compassionate, professional trauma informed therapists in Chicago, you can begin to take back control and feel like yourself again. Connect with us today to start the healing process. 

Our approach to therapy for trauma

Healing from a traumatic event can involve a multimodal approach to therapy. As each client and experience is unique, we tailor our treatment plans to the needs of each individual. At SG Therapy Group, we use a trauma-focused lens through all psychotherapy modalities. Some of our therapists specialize specifically in a few approaches.

EMDR is a specialized mental health treatment that works by changing how you respond to disturbing memories. Using a technique called bilateral stimulation, which often involves side-to-side eye movements or tapping alternating sides of your body, your brain reprocesses the traumatic event so it no longer causes as much emotional distress. You can read more about EMDR and our therapists who specialize in this treatment here.

Internal Family Systems is a type of psychotherapy that helps people identify and accept different parts of themselves within their internal mental system. It is based on the idea that the mind is made up of interconnected parts, each with its own unique role and perspective. You will work with a therapist to identify your internal system and develop a relationship with your parts to help you heal.

Cognitive Processing Therapy is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that focuses on treating trauma. This modality implements skills to help you understand how your experience reinforced or altered certain thoughts and behaviors. You will work with a therapist to reveal core beliefs that are contributing to barriers in your healing journey.

If this resonates with you, know that we're here for you. We aim to make therapy as welcoming and rewarding as possible. In fact, SG Therapy Group was founded because we saw the need for something different in the therapy space. We put the mental health needs of our clients and clinicians above all else, and this comes through in our work, physical space, and more.

While each of our clinicians has their own unique approach to treating trauma, know that the most successful therapy occurs due to building a strong therapeutic relationship. We feel honored to help people through difficult times, and we don't take this role lightly. We're here to guide and support you in the way that feels best for you.

Why choose SG Therapy Group

Finding the right fit between you and your clinician is a key part of effective therapy. Here are some considerations to help you understand whether we're the best therapists in Chicago for your needs.

  • SG Therapy Group was founded to give people the intimate, high-quality care they deserve. With large practices, treatment can feel standardized and impersonal. As a boutique therapy group, we can take special care for each and every client we work with in a way that larger organizations can't.

  • Our environment can have a significant impact on how we feel. That's why we focus on curating a warm, calming space both at our in-person office and during our virtual therapy sessions. This is based on more than aesthetics alone: it's also about the supportive energy that our Chicago therapists emanate.

  • Unlike big agencies or online therapy platforms, we have the time and emotional energy to treat each client as an individual. We don't believe in using a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we tailor your treatment plan to you using evidence-directed methods. Our clinicians are also committed to pursuing specialized training and continued education to stay up-to-date on the latest research and advances in the field.

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Sydney Gideon

  • Sydney is passionate about creating strong therapeutic relationships with each of her clients. She does this by building a warm, non-judgmental therapy environment and striving to understand both the client's internal world and the environmental factors that can contribute to anxiety. Sydney enjoys being able to make a difference in her clients' lives every day.

    • Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Founder

    • License Number: Licensed by State of Illinois 149.023352 and by State of Ohio I.2405177

    • Education: Master's Degree from New York’s Columbia School of Social Work

    • Location: 405 W Superior St, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654

    • Telehealth: Yes

    • Modalities used: Attachment-based therapy, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), psychodynamic therapy, strength-based therapy, trauma-focused therapy

  • Read more about me here.

4 top-rated Chicago trauma therapists

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Maddie Persanyi

  • Maddie is dedicated to helping her clients become their best selves by recognizing and building upon their strengths. She believes that each person is capable of healing and growth, and she loves helping her clients overcome barriers and reach their goals.

    • Credentials: Licensed Professional Counselor

    • License Number: Licensed by State of Illinois 178.017439

    • Education: Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Adler University

    • Location: 405 W Superior St, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654

    • Telehealth: Yes

    • Modalities used: CBT, emotionally focused therapy, Gottman Method, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, positive psychology, reality therapy, strengths-based therapy, trauma-focused therapy

  • Read more about me here.

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Aviva Brill

  • Aviva recognizes the healing power of being truly seen and supported. She strives to both guide her clients and follow their innate wisdom throughout the therapy process. Aviva enjoys using a variety of different methods to give her clients practical skills to improve their daily lives.

    • Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Certified Holistic Health Coach

    • License Number: Licensed by State of Illinois 149.026159 | Certificate from Institute of Integrative Nutrition

    • Education: Master's Degree from U Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice

    • Location: 405 W Superior St, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654

    • Telehealth: Yes

    • Modalities used: Coaching, CBT, humanistic therapy, person-centered therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, strengths-based therapy, task-centered therapy

  • Read more about me here.

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Corinne Bloom

  • Corrine is committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space for her clients to express themselves authentically. She takes care to tailor each person's therapy experience to their unique goals, values, and needs.

    • Credentials: Licensed Social Worker

    • Supervised by: Sydney Gideon, LCSW

    • Education: Master's Degree from Loyola University

    • Location: 405 W Superior St, 7th Floor, Chicago, IL 60654

    • Telehealth: Yes

    • Modalities used: Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, strength-based therapy, client-centered approach

  • Read more about me here.

FAQs about therapy for trauma

    • Being easily startled and constantly feeling “on edge”.

    • Having unwanted memories or flashbacks of the event.

    • Avoiding certain people or places because they remind you of what happened.

    • Feeling numb or like you are disconnected from your body or your mind.

    • Struggling to connect with others or form healthy romantic and/or platonic relationships.

    • Trauma can also present with symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

    • Many individuals who have experienced a trauma may not have a memory of what happened or an understanding of what is causing their symptoms. Therapy provides a safe spaces to begin exploring a potential underlying trauma.

  • Yes! It is highly researched that the therapeutic relationship is the number one determinant for success in healing. Forming connections and making meaning from our experiences heals traumas. Therapy is a safe, confidential space to express yourself and explore your mental health. Many people who struggle with their trauma have a hard time being authentic in their relationships with others. Therapy gives you the chance to practice being vulnerable so you can get more comfortable with growing genuine relationships.

    Each person's experience healing their trauma through therapy is unique. At the same time, there are many common ways that therapists can help people heal from trauma, including

    • Teaching coping skills,

    • Offering emotional support,

    • Helping people learn more about themselves,

    • Building problem-solving skills,

    ...and much more. Together, we'll explore your specific mental health needs and discover how therapy can help you.

  • Therapists treat trauma using a variety of different methods. Our clinicians typically blend different methods, customizing each client's treatment plan to their needs and goals. Some approaches we use include narrative therapy, EMDR, internal family systems, CPT, and more.

    If you're not sure which kind of approach might work best for you, we invite you to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.