Articles and News

Estimated: 6 minutes to read

Who’s Who? LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, Psy.D., and more!

Appreciation and thanks go to Christy LK Darcangelo, LCSW, Zac Palmer, LMFT , and Elizabeth Duke, Psy.D. who made substantive contributions respectively to the sections of this article on social workers, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists. When you are looking for a psychotherapist, the wide array of titles and credentials can be confusing. There’s […] Read more “Who’s Who? LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, Psy.D., and more!”

FeaturedEstimated: 8 minutes to read

The Right Therapist for You

Choosing the right therapist can be daunting. Therapy is an endeavor where the relationship itself is perhaps the most important element. So, choosing the right therapist is not an easy task and there are things you can do increase the chances you find someone with whom you can work well, grow and meet your goals. Read more “The Right Therapist for You”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

How Pets Help Us Through the Holidays (And Other Tough Times)

The holidays can be a challenging time for so many of us. We may find ourselves feeling isolated, stressed out, anxious — perhaps a combination of all three. The holidays can amplify feelings of loss. They can serve as reminders of the past, or of goals we perhaps haven’t yet reached, or milestones we have […] Read more “How Pets Help Us Through the Holidays (And Other Tough Times)”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

A Conversation About Queer Mindfulness

Every Tuesday, our very own Antonia Jurkovic, Psy.D., hosts the Queer Mindfulness Drop-In Practice Group. We spoke with her recently about what this group is and how it can be a useful space for the queer community. What is the Queer Mindfulness Drop-In Practice Group?Queer mindfulness is weekly, virtual, drop-in support group where queer folks […] Read more “A Conversation About Queer Mindfulness”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Meet Carolina Arboleda, M.A.

It’s our privilege to introduce you to LifeWorks’ pre-doctoral intern for 2021-22, Carolina Arboleda, M.A. How did you first learn about LifeWorks?I learned about LifeWorks through the pre-doctoral internship process. What drew you to LifeWorks? I was drawn to LifeWorks due to the emphasis on depth psychotherapy and the diverse populations served at this site, including […] Read more “Meet Carolina Arboleda, M.A.”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Meet Toni Gary, LPC

We are pleased to introduce you to Toni Gary, LPC, who recently joined LifeWorks Psychotherapy as a therapist. Here, read her mini welcome interview: How did you first learn about LifeWorks?I actually learned about LifeWorks through the Green House. I was looking for ways to expand my professional development and a colleague of mine sent […] Read more “Meet Toni Gary, LPC”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

Alarm Systems: What We Can Learn from Dogs

The following is a list of things my new dog has alerted me to since she came to live with me on Friday: The reflection of the TV in the windows A pot that she nudged off the window  A child who changed his clothes Me wearing glasses A fox prowling around my quail coop […] Read more “Alarm Systems: What We Can Learn from Dogs”

Estimated: 9 minutes to read

Resting into this time of self-care

It has been about 6 months since the shelter in place order in Illinois was announced. Most therapists I know went remote in March. Therapy offices around the city sit unused and many therapists are working from home. The spring challenged all of us to adjust to new precautions and COVID-driven changes to our lives. […] Read more “Resting into this time of self-care”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

A Brave and Startling Truth

The poem, “A Brave and Startling Truth,” by Maya Angelou (April 4, 1928–May 28, 2014), flew to space on the Orion spacecraft and Angelou dedicated it to “the hope for peace, which lies, sometimes hidden, in every heart.” Published in a commemorative booklet in 1995 and later included in “Maya Angelou: The Complete Poetry”. Read more “A Brave and Startling Truth”

FeaturedEstimated: 4 minutes to read

Diving In? Reflections on Fear

It seems we are all either facing fear or acting in the face of our fears these days. A once simple trip to the grocercy store is now a strategic undertaking that requires serious reflection on how much personal protection I will need. A recent conversation with colleagues reminded me of this post, from a […] Read more “Diving In? Reflections on Fear”

Estimated: 7 minutes to read

And just like that, everything’s changed.

Last Tuesday, I emailed attendees who were signed up for my workshop at the end of the month, letting them know we intended to hold it. Twelve hours later, we cancelled it. We’re in a strange new reality. For most of us, it’s like nothing we’ve experienced in our lifetime. For others, this is not […] Read more “And just like that, everything’s changed.”

Estimated: 6 minutes to read

Subject COVID-19: A Message from Natalie

We thank our colleague, Natalie A. Hock, LCSW, for her thoughtful synthesis of the current situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations for her clients. We thought it was worth sharing more broadly and with her permission are doing so, here. Hi [CLIENT NAME]: I know that the level of worry and fear is high right now […] Read more “Subject COVID-19: A Message from Natalie”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

Music that Carries Us

Staff Favorites has been a monthly installation of 2019 featuring the mental health and self-care picks of LifeWorks’ staff. Thank you for being on this human journey with us, and for sharing the various experiences, objects, books, music, art and more…. Your contributions have helped cultivate change and offer paths to relief and soothing during […] Read more “Music that Carries Us”

FeaturedEstimated: 7 minutes to read

When to Hold ‘Em and When to Fold ‘Em

As the year comes to a close, I take a bit of time to reflect on the year that was, and the year to come. It’s one of my favorite parts of the year, because it’s the time when we get to think long and hard about things (long dark nights help) — about things we’re […] Read more “When to Hold ‘Em and When to Fold ‘Em”

Estimated: 4 minutes to read

Podcasts & Blogs

This month’s Staff Favorites will feature a collection of blogs and podcasts that we follow that have inspired or transformed us in some way. Some of these podcasts are specific to therapy and mental health, while others are simply about being human and living in the world. As always, we look forward to hearing what […] Read more “Podcasts & Blogs”

Estimated: 5 minutes to read

Approaches to Fear

Staff Favorites is a monthly installation featuring the mental health and self care picks of  LifeWorker staff. Posts in 2019 will highlight books, self-soothing items, blogs/instagrams, places to move your body around Chicago, and more. We look forward to sharing our favorites with you! This month we are focusing on the ways LifeWorks’ staff approach […] Read more “Approaches to Fear”

Estimated: 1 minute to read

New Leadership at LifeWorks

LifeWorks is proud to announce that Elizabeth (Betsy) Duke, Psy.D. has stepped into the role of Clinical Director and Danielle Carlson, LMFT, has taken on the role of Director of Training. We are super excited by the changes happening at LifeWorks.  Betsy and Danielle are both highly competent clinicians who have been working with the LGBTQIA+, non-monogamy and kink/BDSM communities […] Read more “New Leadership at LifeWorks”

FeaturedEstimated: 3 minutes to read

The Art of Noticing: Exploring Shifts in Attention

Theoretically I am a strong believer in carving out creative time. I believe as a practice, it aids in self-reflection, cultivates connection and in turn, empathy. It has the power to remind us why we live. In the last several years though, I have struggled to make time for creative expression and prioritize it as […] Read more “The Art of Noticing: Exploring Shifts in Attention”

Estimated: 5 minutes to read

Visual Art

This month Staff Favorites feature the visual art LifeWorks loves.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and many of us have found that sentiment to be true.  Often human experience surpasses language and we are left with visualization, tactile sensation, music, or other forms of art. This month we are sharing the […] Read more “Visual Art”

Estimated: 7 minutes to read

Transformative Poems

Staff Favorites is a monthly installation for 2019 featuring the mental health and self care picks from our very own LifeWorks staff. 2019 will highlight books, self-soothing items, blogs/instagrams, places to move your body around Chicago, and more!. We look forward to sharing our favorites with you and welcome you to send us your thoughts […] Read more “Transformative Poems”