Because Amazing Relationships Don't Just Happen. They're Grown.
I’m Here to Help
224-662-1626
Amy S. Padron, LMFT
Treatment Philosophy
It takes courage and curiosity to begin the therapy process and I admire those who are able to do so. I believe that the psychotherapy process is greatly influenced by the therapeutic relationship. I work to collaboratively create a therapeutic relationship based on mutual respect, trust, and understanding.
I use warmth, compassion, and at times humor, to deliver direct feedback. My approach is collaborative. Together, we explore the constraints that may be keeping one from their goals as well as identifying one's strengths. I come from an integrative perspective as I recognize that every individual, and relationship is unique. In my systemic training, regardless if I'm meeting with an individual or family, I tend to think about clients in the context of their relationships.
Areas of Expertise & Interest
I enjoy working with individuals, couples, and families experiencing a wide range of issues. Areas of expertise include parent-child relationships, adolescents with behavior and/or emotional issues, pre-marital assessment, trauma, anger, self-esteem, stage of life issues, loss, depression and anxiety.
The couple relationship is one aspect of life that I believe we as a society, rarely talk about openly. I work to create a warm, open, collaborative environment to assist couples on their journey at all stages of life. These stages may include premarital, parenting, "empty-nest," divorce and/or blended family. Some common issues I regularly help with are communication, intimacy, family of origin, parenting, infidelity and/or divorce contemplation.
I also have experience integrating faith and spirituality into the therapy process for those who seek it.
My Experience
I earned my Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2006 from The Family Institute at Northwestern University. During my time at the Family Institute, I received extensive clinical training in their Bette D. Harris Clinic along with several community programs.
My first years of clinical experience included working in an alternative high school with at-risk teens and their families. Through my years in group practice, I was able to hone my skills as an integrative therapist utilizing a systems perspective while working with individuals, couples and families.
I am a trained facilitator in the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment. I am trained in EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing).
I am a clinical member of the International Society of the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and the EMDR International Association.
My Therapy
Relationships
Relationships
Relationships
Like anything else worth having, fantastic relationships require intention, cultivation, and support.
Nevertheless, achieving that goal can be very difficult. Often couples get caught up in patterns of negative interactions, having the same fights over and over. They don’t like it, would like to change it, but don’t know how to talk about
Like anything else worth having, fantastic relationships require intention, cultivation, and support.
Nevertheless, achieving that goal can be very difficult. Often couples get caught up in patterns of negative interactions, having the same fights over and over. They don’t like it, would like to change it, but don’t know how to talk about it. Over time they become less and less connected to one another, leaving them feeling frustrated and alone in the relationship.
Trauma & PTSD
Relationships
Relationships
Life can be complicated. Sometimes events in life just change us. Some of these events are obvious, like an accident, illness or sudden death of a loved one, infidelity, combat, rape, domestic violence, sexual or physical abuse as a child.
Other events are harder to identify, but can be just as impactful. They change how we see ourselves
Life can be complicated. Sometimes events in life just change us. Some of these events are obvious, like an accident, illness or sudden death of a loved one, infidelity, combat, rape, domestic violence, sexual or physical abuse as a child.
Other events are harder to identify, but can be just as impactful. They change how we see ourselves, our world or our ability to impact our world.
Our culture dictates a policy of picking ourselves up and moving on. Sometimes we can, and sometimes, because of the ways our brains respond to such events, we find ourselves being triggered into feeling or acting in ways that sometimes feel beyond control.
EMDR
Relationships
EMDR
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based, highly effective type of therapy that can greatly change the way we view and experience our past, our present, and the world around us. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy works in a unique way by incorporating the the body, mind and emotions
EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based, highly effective type of therapy that can greatly change the way we view and experience our past, our present, and the world around us. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR therapy works in a unique way by incorporating the the body, mind and emotions to help the brain “unlearn” stuck reactions and beliefs caused by distressing events in our lives.