Mood & Anxiety Therapy in Evanston, IL

Evidence-based, relational care for depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

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Emotional fluctuations are part of the human experience.

Sometimes, however, they can start to interfere with day-to-day life.

Maybe you’re noticing persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness. For some people, mood and anxiety disorders show up as swings between low mood and irritability, emotional instability, or changes in sleep, energy, or appetite. For others, it’s periods of elevated mood, racing thoughts, impulsive behavior, or emotional volatility that feel hard to control. 

These conditions affect the way you think, feel, and function. They can also show up as trouble concentrating, struggling to manage responsibilities, or simply feeling unlike yourself.

We work with adolescents and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Our focus is on understanding what’s driving these symptoms, building tools to manage them, and, when needed, connecting you to additional resources like psychiatry or higher levels of care.

Conditions we often treat:

  • Major Depressive Disorder

  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

  • Bipolar I and II Disorders

  • Postpartum Depression

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

  • Panic Disorder

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

  • Atypical Depression

What causes mood or anxiety disorders?

These kinds of conditions rarely come from a single cause. More often, they develop from a mix of factors, such as:

  • Chronic stress from work, caregiving, or life demands

  • Grief or loss—whether of a person, a relationship, or a sense of identity

  • Genetics and family history

  • Hormonal changes related to pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, or aging

These factors often overlap, especially during major life transitions. No matter what you’re experiencing or from what cause, our compassionate, responsive, and clinically informed therapy helps make sense of it and build a plan for stability.

OUR APPROACH

If you’ve been living with prolonged sadness, anxiety, irritability, sudden mood shifts, or periods of high energy and impulsivity, it’s important to know you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it on your own.

This is a space to understand what’s happening, develop practical tools to manage symptoms day to day, and make longer-term changes that lead to greater stability and functioning. We combine evidence-based methods with a relational, individualized approach. 

Your treatment plan may include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to mood instability

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Building skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Developing psychological flexibility and aligning actions with personal values

  • Insight-Oriented and Relational Psychotherapy: Exploring patterns and relationships that shape how you feel and function

  • Psychoeducation: Understanding mood cycles, triggers, and symptom management, particularly for bipolar disorders

  • Relapse Prevention: Creating proactive strategies to notice early warning signs and maintain stability

  • Mindfulness and Lifestyle Support: Integrating routines that support emotional balance, rest, and resilience

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This approach helps us address the immediate symptoms you’re dealing with while also looking at what’s underneath them, so you can move toward lasting emotional balance.

Our work is compassionate, responsive, and grounded in clinical expertise. Because of our experience with assessment and system navigation, we can support you in the session and, when needed, help you connect with the broader network of care and resources that will best support your recovery.

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Gender-informed understanding

Mood disorders can look different depending on life stage and gender. We pay close attention to these differences so treatment is tailored to your experience.

  • Men may feel pressure to appear strong and self-sufficient, leading to emotional suppression, irritability, or burnout that can mask underlying depression or bipolar symptoms.

  • Women often experience mood changes related to hormonal shifts, life transitions, or caregiving roles—sometimes accompanied by fatigue, disrupted sleep, or heightened emotional sensitivity.

This is a safe, collaborative space to explore the deeper roots of your experience while developing practical tools to navigate everyday life.

Book free consult

Book free consult

Book a free phone consultation

faqs

Frequently asked questions

  • It can be hard to tell the difference on your own. Everyone has ups and downs, but when those shifts start to interfere with your relationships, your work, or your ability to enjoy life, it’s a sign that extra support could help. You don’t have to wait until things feel severe—therapy can be useful at any point to understand what’s going on and develop ways to manage it.

  • No. Our work focuses on talk therapy and skill-building. If during the course of therapy we believe that medication could be a helpful part of your treatment, we’ll talk with you about it and help you connect with a trusted psychiatrist or primary care provider. We often collaborate with prescribers to make sure your care is coordinated.

  • Yes. Depression, anxiety, stress, and relationship challenges often overlap and influence each other. Our approach looks at the whole picture—your symptoms, your relationships, and your daily stressors—so we can address what’s connected and help you build lasting change, not just short-term relief.