Mars Vallon, MSW

Pronouns: They/themRequest an Appointment
  • Location: , ,
  • Specialties: (DBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR, Identity Development, Individual Therapy
  • Languages: English

I am passionate about working with people who have experienced oppression, marginalization, and other forms of trauma. I strive to be culturally aware and to address each client and your unique needs. 

I often see transgender and gender-questioning individuals, people in the sex work industry, and people navigating kink and/or polyamory dynamics in their relationships. I work with people who have or are experiencing a range of mental health needs, from depression and anxiety, to navigating grief and complex trauma. Whether you have experienced life-long mental health difficulties or are facing new challenges in your life, I will welcome you into the therapeutic space openly and without judgment.

My therapeutic style is warm and conversational, and my practice is grounded in social justice frameworks including anti-racism and radical fat acceptance. This coincides with my interest in neuropsychology – an ongoing curiosity about why we are the way we are and how our bodies and minds are connected.

We are all made up of complex histories, beliefs, and experiences that influence how we move through the world. This means that there is no “one size fits all” approach to the way I practice therapy. Some of the tools in my therapeutic toolbox are DBT and EMDR, which I incorporate with process-oriented talk therapy.

I hope our sessions together will be highly collaborative. I will use my knowledge and experience to help you uncover and heal wounds that contribute to present-day difficulties. If this speaks to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via the LifeWorks appointment request form to schedule an intake with me.

Professional Experience

Mars Vallon, MSW holds a Master of Social Work degree from Jane Addams School of Social Work, where they specialized in mental health care. They provided individual, group, and couples therapy to low-income populations at Thrive Counseling Center in Oak Park. At Thrive, Mars developed an interest in working with individuals navigating complex trauma presentations. Subsequently, they sought training with the EMDR institute, where they continue to work toward EMDR certification. While they are formally educated, Mars attributes much of the specialized cultural knowledge they have cultivated to their time spent navigating activist, queer, and transgender communities in early adulthood.

Skokie

8707 Skokie Boulevard
Suite 310
Skokie, IL 60077

View Location

Lakeview

3139 N. Lincoln Avenue
Suite 209 & 220
Chicago, IL 60657

View Location

Chicago Loop

120 W. Madison
Suite 920
Chicago, IL 60602

View Location