The Bully in Your Head
Self-hatred is the bully in your head. It's power is great but self-love is can be stronger. Learn how to beat the bully.
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Grief and Trauma Therapy
in Batavia, Illinois
You didn't expect your life to look like this.
Have you been white-knuckling it for so long that you don’t even remember a time when you truly felt at peace? Have you been trying to cope by trying to convince yourself “It’s in the past” or “I shouldn’t still be affected by that”? Maybe you’ve gotten really good at ignoring it, pushing it down, or looking the other way.
Is the anxiety, hypervigilance, and emotional avoidance making your life feel overwhelming? Do you have thoughts that you have to be perfect, that you’re not good enough, or your needs don’t matter? Are you experiencing flashbacks, overreacting to others, or avoiding people or places that remind you of things you don’t want to remember?
Life doesn't have to stay this way.
We can help.
Welcome to Creating Space Therapy, where we have crafted a sanctuary tailored just for you. Our practice, nestled in the heart of Illinois, specializes in providing compassionate therapy for grief and trauma. Whether you prefer in-person sessions or the convenience of online therapy, we are here to support you on your healing journey.
At Creating Space Therapy, we embrace a person-centered approach, recognizing that each individual's experience is unique and deserves individualized attention. We take the time to understand your story, your pain, and your goals, allowing us to design a therapeutic approach specifically tailored to your needs. Through this personalized approach, we empower you to understand and cope with your feelings, fostering a sense of confidence and resilience.
We believe that you are capable of extraordinary things. Your journey with us is an opportunity to embrace bravery, pursue boldness, and unlock your full potential. Together, we will navigate the depths of grief and trauma, empowering you to forge rich and meaningful relationships and live a life aligned with your values.
At Creating Space Therapy, we firmly believe in the resiliency of the human spirit. We are dedicated to walking alongside you, offering support and guidance as you discover your inner strength and unlock the power within you. Together, let's embark on a transformative journey towards a life filled with healing, growth, and the incredible things that only you can achieve.
Meet the Team
Dedication. Expertise. Compassion.
Our team at Creating Space Therapy is a blend of dedication, expertise, and compassion. Driven by a profound commitment to our clients, we offer specialized knowledge in navigating grief and trauma. With compassionate hearts, we ensure a nurturing and safe space for every individual's journey towards healing and growth. Get to know the professionals who are passionate about supporting and guiding you towards a life of wholeness and peace.
Our Specializations
Grief
When we are grieving we can feel lost, overwhelmed, and unable to see a future. We understand that not all grief comes as the result of the death of a loved one.
We also experience grief when we lose a job, get divorced, or end a relationship. We grieve when the future we hoped for and worked hard for is lost.
Clients work with us when they want to gain a greater understanding of their grief and learn how to manage their often confusing and conflicted feelings.
Trauma
Oftentimes, our past hurts and distressing or disturbing events get in the way of feeling safe and connected with others. This often looks like unhealthy relationships, feeling anxious, or depressed, and unexplained health concerns or issues.
We understand trauma as our mind, body, and spirit's way of trying to make sense of overwhelming life experiences. We know that traumatic life experiences include assault, natural disasters, and violence.
We also know that we experience trauma from childhood abuse and neglect and discrimination.
Clients reach out to us when they feel overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety, depressed mood, and ruminating thoughts. They don't feel connected to others anymore and don't feel safe alone or with others.
Children + Adolescents
On our journey through life, children and adolescents too face moments of profound sadness and trauma that can deeply affect their sense of self and their ability to engage with the world around them.
These experiences, whether a loss of a loved one, witnessing or experiencing violence, or enduring the pain of bullying, can leave scars that are not always visible to the eye but are deeply felt in the heart.
At our practice, we recognize the tender needs of young minds grappling with grief and trauma. We see these challenges not just as obstacles to overcome but as opportunities for growth and understanding.
Our specialized therapy for children and adolescents facing grief and trauma is designed to meet them where they are, in their language and on their terms.
Through innovative and creative therapeutic practices, we aim to help them express what may often be hard to put into words, navigate their emotions, and begin the healing process. It's about rebuilding a sense of safety, connection, and hope, not just for the child or adolescent but for their family as well.
You are here to do incredible things.
Brave things.
Bold things.
Things that only you can do.
Our Approaches to Grief Counseling and Trauma Therapy
Grief Counseling
Many do not understand grief. This is because our western society is uncomfortable with sadness and emotional pain. We are an emotionally avoidant culture.
We like fixes and we love and crave the "quick fix". Unfortunately, this leaves grievers confused, alone, and oftentimes overwhelmed by their grief.
Common misunderstandings about grief:
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Grief is NOT something one gets over
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Grief does NOT end
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Grief does NOT follow stages
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There is NO going back to "normal"
So where does this leave grievers? Are they doomed to a life filled with loneliness, longing, sadness, and confusion? No, we do not believe so.
We've journeyed with enough grievers to know this is not true and doesn't need to be a griever's life. We wholeheartedly believe in the mind, body, and soul's ability to heal when provided the space, acceptance, and the right tools.
Through compassionate listening and validation, we help each griever understand their grief and identify their grief needs. We help grievers unpack their loss so that they can develop an understanding of what this loss means to them and how to (re)discover a sense of meaning and purpose in their life.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is one of the most widely researched treatments and has been shown to be very effective.
It is different from more traditional psychotherapy approaches that are commonly called "talk therapies" such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy.
EMDR Therapy is founded on the understanding that the brain, along with the rest of the body, is always programmed to heal.
EMDR Therapy allows for the part of the brain that stores memories to do its job, which is to adaptively process experiences/memories.
EMDR will not make memories go away, it will not make pain magically disappear, and is not a quick fix. However, it will allow for the mind, body, and soul to finally begin the healing process in a way that has been life-changing for so many.
This journey that you are on isn't an easy one. We know it can feel dark and lonely but we will be your companion, and together we will help you find a way forward by creating the space you need to experience healing, growth,
and transformation.
The Process for Getting Started
Get the support you need to begin your healing journey.
Together, we will help you develop a greater awareness and insight into your concerns and goals. We'll develop the tools you need to heal and support you all along your journey.
Experience personal growth, and transformation
You will feel hopeful for your future and have a greater sense of meaning and purpose in your life. You'll be better able to handle the invariable ups and downs that will come.
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