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Get to know me:

John is an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist currently working in private practice in Chicago, IL. He treats general adult issues from relational and socially just perspectives, working with individuals, partners, and/or additional family members.

What does affirmative psychotherapy mean to me?

To me, affirmative psychotherapy focuses on creating intentional space for clients’ multiple, intersecting identities. As different contexts consistently invalidate or reduce parts of us that do not fit with the “typical”, therapy can be a space for clients to explore and acknowledge personal identities and challenge those contexts. Affirmative psychotherapy supports the cultivation of each client’s unique voice and language in the time and space that best works for them.

What populations do I work with? What is my level of expertise (friendly, knowledgeable, expert) for each of those populations?

I work most often with clients identifying within and across the LGBQA+ and TGNC communities as well as clients within or connected to consensually non-monogamous (CNM) relationships. I would say my expertise related to LGBQA+ identities is expert. I am a co-author on a paper related to disclosure in family relationships, presented on LGBTQ+-issues a several conferences, and completed a master’s thesis on the impact of sexual minority stress on professional well-being.

My expertise related to CNM and polyamorous relationships is growing from knowledgeable to expert, as I have presented on polyamorous relationships and have been part of co-developing a model to more sensitively and affirmatively work with polyamorous relationships in therapy.

I consider myself friendly in relationship to kink and BDSM and continue to explore new and affirmative texts related to these topics.

What is my approach to healing?

My approach to healing comes from the opportunity to recognize and affirm a growing self in a context that may not support us. This recognition and affirmation come from the cultivation of a supportive community of voices – internal and external – to resist this oppressive context. When we have identified what maintains oppression, we can explore strategies to support our own healing with understanding and compassion toward ourselves.  

What issues am I most skilled at addressing as a mental health professional?

I am most skilled addressing issues of anxiety and depression in individual and relational contexts, as well as identity exploration for LGBQ and TGNC identified individuals, relationship conflict, and trauma.

EDUCATION & LICENSES

Education: Master of Science in Child Development and Family Studies, Specialization: Marriage and Family Therapy
Years in Practice: 3.5
School: Purdue University Northwest
Year Graduated: 2018
License # and State: 208.000706 – Illinois
Additional Credentials: American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) member, AAMFT Minority Fellowship Program Fellow 2016-2018, Prepare/Enrich facilitator: 1317836
Training Experience: SafeZone Training Facilitator, 2018

OFFICE INFORMATION

Accessibility: Stairs Required
Gender Neutral Restrooms: Yes

FINANCES

Fee Range: $130-$150, reduced fee available
Accepted Payment Methods: Credit card, check, cash
Accepted Insurance Plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Able to submit out-of-network claims