Deciding to pursue individual therapy or relationship therapy is not always straight forward. All of us are made up of and a part of many different systems, from the macro- to the micro- level. If you are considering starting psychotherapy, it may be because: there is something within the interaction of those systems that no […] Read more “The Right Path: Choosing to Pursue Individual Therapy or Relationship Therapy”
The Right Path: Choosing to Pursue Individual Therapy or Relationship Therapy
Posted:
FeaturedEstimated: 4 minutes to read
A Season for Becoming
Posted:
Estimated: 4 minutes to read
“The moment in between what you once were and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place.” This quote from Barbara de Angelis describes the gap between our ordinary way of experiencing and identifying ourselves, and a new or emerging sense of self – a being we are becoming but […] Read more “A Season for Becoming”
Healthy Masculinity
Posted:
Estimated: 3 minutes to read
What is healthy masculinity? As with all aspects of gender, masculinity is a socially constructed series of roles, norms, expectations, and characteristics that can help shape someone’s identity. Masculinity has a context that changes across time and place; this means the ‘definition’ of masculinity isn’t static. There tend to be some consistent themes of masculinity […] Read more “Healthy Masculinity”
Toward a More Conscious Engagement with Death
Posted:
Estimated: 7 minutes to read
On Sunday 10/29/23, Christy Darcangelo was a part of a 5-person panel on end-of-life care within kinky and polyamorous communities hosted by the Chicago Rose. The panel included Brooke Benjamin, a funeral care director with Inclusive Funeral Care, Valerie Nerini, a death doula and celebrant with Our Inevitable Death, Bella Bathory, a death doula with […] Read more “Toward a More Conscious Engagement with Death”
Thriving in a Heteronormative World: Queer Empowering Skills and Actions
Posted:
FeaturedEstimated: 5 minutes to read
Living in a heteronormative world presents unique challenges for queer individuals. The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm can lead to marginalization, discrimination, and limited opportunities. The challenges faced by queer individuals in a heteronormative world are substantial and unavoidable. How do you navigate and thrive in various aspects of life? What’s your path to […] Read more “Thriving in a Heteronormative World: Queer Empowering Skills and Actions”
LGBTQIA+ Self-Care and Empowerment: How Can Therapy Help?
Posted:
FeaturedEstimated: 3 minutes to read
You know that psychotherapy can play a vital role in supporting the self-care, self-expression, and personal empowerment you want as an LGBTQIA+ individual. Yet, navigating the complexities of identity, societal challenges, and emotional well-being can be overwhelming. How does psychotherapy help and what steps can you take to build momentum in a positive direction for yourself? Read more “LGBTQIA+ Self-Care and Empowerment: How Can Therapy Help?”
Making a Dream a Reality – TheListforUs
Posted:
Estimated: 3 minutes to read
In 2021, Ari Groner, LCSW, and the Assistant Director of Juniper Center, launched TheListforUs (thelistforus.com), a one-stop-shop collection of Chicagoland resources for trans, and non-binary individuals and the people that support them. The site is organized into different categories including groups, medical providers, books, good & services, and much more! TheListforUs began when Ari was […] Read more “Making a Dream a Reality – TheListforUs”
The Otherness of Aging Transgender
Posted:
Estimated: 6 minutes to read
Aging is a process we all experience whether we are very mindful of it or not. From the moment we are formed, we begin to encounter the material and psychic impacts of a body governed by time. These experiences, nested within cultural, historical, and sociopolitical contexts, evoke myriad thoughts, feelings, and sensations across a lifespan. […] Read more “The Otherness of Aging Transgender”
Participants Share their Experiences from the Green House
Posted:
Estimated: 6 minutes to read
Paid Depth Psychotherapy Fellowship for 2023: We are now accepting applications for the Green House 2023 Cohort. What is the Green House training program? Launched in 2016, the Green House is LifeWorks’ postgraduate psychotherapy training program. Participants join us here in Chicago* for 12 months of tuition-free learning and real-world clinical experience centered on self-development, […] Read more “Participants Share their Experiences from the Green House”
Who’s Who? LCSW, LCPC, LMFT, Psy.D., and more!
Posted:
Estimated: 2 minutes to read
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!”
How Pets Help Us Through the Holidays (And Other Tough Times)
Posted:
FeaturedEstimated: 4 minutes to read
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)”
Diving In? Reflections on Fear
Posted:
Estimated: 3 minutes to read
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”
Music that Carries Us
Posted:
FeaturedEstimated: 7 minutes to read
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”
When to Hold ‘Em and When to Fold ‘Em
Posted:
Estimated: 4 minutes to read
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”
Podcasts & Blogs
Posted:
Estimated: 5 minutes to read
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”
Approaches to Fear
Posted:
Estimated: 7 minutes to read
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”
Transformative Poems
Posted:
Estimated: 4 minutes to read
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”
Anchoring Rituals
Posted:
Estimated: 5 minutes to read
Staff Favorites is a monthly installation for 2019 featuring the mental health and self care picks of our very own LifeWorks Staff. We have been highlighting books, self-soothing items, blogs/instagrams, places to move your body around Chicago, and more — all personally endorsed by LifeWorks staff. This month we are talking about anchoring rituals. Anchoring […] Read more “Anchoring Rituals”
INSPIRATION : HOW TO RECEIVE AND CULTIVATE IDEAS
Posted:
Estimated: 2 minutes to read
When inspired we feel filled with energy and motivated to do something. There’s an urgency to our actions. Our thoughts have a momentum and make the most amazing connections. When I believe in my idea enough, my confidence grows and the question ‘what if?’ catches alight. I am seized by a dream. I feel it’s […] Read more “INSPIRATION : HOW TO RECEIVE AND CULTIVATE IDEAS”
Fueling Up!
Posted:
Staff Favorites is a monthly installation for 2019 featuring the mental health and self-care picks of our very own LifeWorkers. 2019 will highlight books, self-soothing items, blogs/instagrams, places to move your body around Chicago, and more personally endorsed by LifeWorks staff. We look forward to sharing our favorites with you! This month, LifeWorkers are sharing […] Read more “Fueling Up!”