Articles and News

FeaturedEstimated: 2 minutes to read

Welcome, 2024 Green House Fellows!

Cohort 9, Group Photo shows new Green House mentees smiling in the LifeWorks Skokie Office.

LifeWorks is thrilled to welcome the 2024 Green House psychotherapy fellows! Each January, a new group of fellows joins our team as part of our 12-month training and mentorship program, the Green House. In 2024, we are proud to introduce eight new fellows: Alma Quiroz, M. Ed., Amanda Lopez-Martinez, ALMFT,  Amz Stump, LPC,  Erin Houchin, […] Read more “Welcome, 2024 Green House Fellows!”

Estimated: 5 minutes to read

The Right Path: Choosing to Pursue Individual Therapy or Relationship Therapy

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”

FeaturedEstimated: 4 minutes to read

A Season for Becoming

A red stone statuary in a snow covered yard

“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”

Estimated: 5 minutes to read

Understanding Suicidal Ideation: Shedding Light on a Silent Struggle

If you are thinking about taking your life and need to speak to someone now, please call 988 or visit the 988 Lifeline Website. Suicidal ideation is a complex and sensitive topic that demands our attention, empathy, and understanding. Often shrouded in stigma and fear, it is crucial to engage in open conversations to raise awareness […] Read more “Understanding Suicidal Ideation: Shedding Light on a Silent Struggle”

Estimated: 4 minutes to read

Healthy Masculinity

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”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

Toward a More Conscious Engagement with Death

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”

Estimated: 7 minutes to read

Thriving in a Heteronormative World: Queer Empowering Skills and Actions

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”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

Welcome Laura Andreas Santos, Ph.D.

How did you first learn about LifeWorks? I first learned about LifeWorks through word of mouth. I applied for a fellowship in another group practice, Free Life, led by Dr. Ian Bonner. Fortunately (!), their position was covered, and he referred me to LifeWorks, given my interest and experience working with diverse populations. What drew […] Read more “Welcome Laura Andreas Santos, Ph.D.”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Welcome to Becca McCormic

We are pleased to introduce Becca McCormic, MA, who recently joined LifeWorks as a therapist intern. How did you first learn about LifeWorks? When I was researching pre-doctoral internship sites, Lifeworks was the only one that mentioned specialties close to what I hope to achieve in the future: sex therapy, queer & trans populations, and […] Read more “Welcome to Becca McCormic”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Welcome to Kurt Kiswaled

We are pleased to introduce Kurt Kiswaled, LSW, who recently joined LifeWorks as a staff therapist. How did you first learn about LifeWorks? I joined KPACT and found out about LifeWorks through those events. What drew you to LifeWorks?  There is an intention towards intersectionality that I find very compelling.  It’s how I provide therapy […] Read more “Welcome to Kurt Kiswaled”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

Nurturing Understanding of Trans Experiences

At LifeWorks, we believe that the infinite experiences of gender that exist make the world a more vibrant and beautiful place. However, for those whose upbringing modeled only two very narrowly defined categories of gender, it can be difficult to know how to learn more. We are living in a time when we (at least […] Read more “Nurturing Understanding of Trans Experiences”

FeaturedEstimated: 5 minutes to read

LGBTQIA+ Self-Care and Empowerment: How Can Therapy Help?

A person stands on a beach, reflecting on their personal journey.

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?”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Welcome to Nancy Magali Quiroz, MSMFT

We are pleased to introduce Magali Quiroz, LCSW, who recently joined LifeWorks as a staff therapist. How did you first learn about LifeWorks? I first learned about LifeWorks through my group supervisor in my first year of graduate school. She did not share much other than she thought it was the place for me and […] Read more “Welcome to Nancy Magali Quiroz, MSMFT”

Estimated: 5 minutes to read

Queer Inner Strength: Overcoming Internalized Stigma and Shame

Internalized stigma and shame can have a profound impact on the well-being and self-worth of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Society’s prejudice and misunderstanding often lead to the internalization of negative beliefs and feelings of shame. Exploring the impact of internalized stigma and shame on LGBTQIA+ individuals, I offer some strategies for healing and building inner strength. By […] Read more “Queer Inner Strength: Overcoming Internalized Stigma and Shame”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

The Otherness of Aging Transgender

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”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

Welcome Mickala Randby, LSW

We are pleased to introduce Mickala Randby, LCSW, who recently joined LifeWorks as a staff therapist. How did you first learn about LifeWorks? I’ve had my eye on Lifeworks for years! My plan was to get some clinical experience with a broad population and then move to a clientele that I feel passionately about and […] Read more “Welcome Mickala Randby, LSW”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Meet Myron Krys Florence

How did you first learn about LifeWorks? I first learned about LifeWorks through a former LifeWorks employee, Dawnn Marie Pirani Brumfield. Knowing my clinical background and research, she thought that I would be a perfect fit for LifeWorks. What drew you to LifeWorks? What drew me to LifeWorks was the commitment to learning and to […] Read more “Meet Myron Krys Florence”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Meet Diane Duan, M.A.

We are pleased to introduce you to Diane Duan, M.A., who recently joined LifeWorks Psychotherapy as a Pre Doctoral Intern for 2022-23. How did you first learn about LifeWorks? I initially learned about The Greenhouse Program from my BDSM/Kink Therapist Mentor through the CARAS Mentoring Program (Thank you, Sharon Glassburn LMFT)! During my APA Internship […] Read more “Meet Diane Duan, M.A.”

Estimated: 3 minutes to read

Welcome Mars Vallon, MSW

We are pleased to introduce you to Mars Vallon, MSW, who recently joined LifeWorks Psychotherapy as a therapist. How did you first learn about LifeWorks? I initially became aware of LifeWorks because the practice was listed with the Pros Network, an online directory of sex-work informed providers sponsored by SWOP. I made a mental bookmark […] Read more “Welcome Mars Vallon, MSW”

Estimated: 2 minutes to read

Welcome Arielle Zimmerman, MSW

We are pleased to introduce you to Arielle Zimmerman, MSW, who recently joined LifeWorks Psychotherapy as a therapist. How did you first learn about LifeWorks?I’d been hearing positive things about LifeWorks from my LGBTQ+ peers, and saw on their website that the practice was hiring. What drew you to LifeWorks?I was first drawn to LifeWorks […] Read more “Welcome Arielle Zimmerman, MSW”