Birgit Bren
I’m a multilingual (English, German, French) licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of experience helping people through life’s challenges. I’ve worked with individuals of different ages and backgrounds in the United States and internationally, including in schools, hospitals, residential programs, and community mental health settings. I hold a Master of Social Work, a Bachelor of Social Work from Vienna, Austria, and a CADC. I have experience supporting people through trauma, substance use, depression, anxiety, women’s issues, cultural and identity concerns, and everyday stress. I value creating a space where you feel heard, respected, and comfortable being yourself. I see therapy as a collaborative process and am here to meet you where you are and support you in finding greater balance, clarity, and effective ways to cope with life’s challenges. Seeking support takes courage, especially when life feels overwhelming, uncertain, or painful. My approach is warm, understanding, and open. I use a person-centered, strength-based approach that honors your unique experiences and inner resources. Together, we may explore how past experiences and relationships can influence how you feel, think, and respond in the present. I strive to create a compassionate, culturally sensitive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel safe, heard, and comfortable being yourself. Together, we’ll work toward greater clarity, effective coping strategies, and meaningful change.
I’m a multilingual (English, German, French) licensed clinical social worker with more than 20 years of experience helping people through life’s challenges.
First session
I hope you leave the first session feeling welcomed, comfortable, and reassured. Our first meeting is an opportunity to get to know each other, review confidentiality, and begin exploring what brought you to therapy. There is no pressure to share more than you feel ready to. My goal for you is to leave feeling heard, at ease, and with a sense that this is a space where you can be yourself.
Strengths
I work collaboratively with you, honoring your values, strengths, and goals. My aim is to create a warm, culturally responsive and affirming space where you feel comfortable, heard and understood.
Ideal clients
My experience includes working with children as young as three years old (together with their caregivers) through adults sixty-five and older. Much of my recent work has been with women and individuals navigating trauma, grief, depression, anxiety, and adjustment challenges. I have extensive experience supporting immigrant communities, particularly around cultural identity, belonging, challenges to adapting to a new environment. I have worked with individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction. I offer therapy in German and I also speak French.
Ongoing work together
I believe it is important to take time to get to know you as a whole person, including your life experiences, relationships, strengths and beliefs, and environment. This helps us to understand your needs and together we decide how to move forward. Progress may look like having more clarity, feeling less overwhelmed, experiencing fewer symptoms, developing healthier ways to cope, and feeling more confident in handling life's challenges.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I draw from a psychodynamic approach, helping clients explore how past experiences and relationships may influence their feelings, behaviors and relationships today. Together we look for patterns, develop a better understanding of ourselves, and find new ways to responding to life's challenges. It is about understanding the whole person, including their history, emotions, relationships, and present circumstances.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
To me this means recognizing and respecting how your background, culture, beliefs, and life experiences shape who you are. I take the time trying to understand your perspective without making assumptions.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
A person-centered approach means you are at the center of our work together. I listen without judgment, respect your experiences, and meet you where you are. We work together at your pace, focusing on what matters most to you, your strengths, and the changes you would like to make. My role is to support and guide you, not to tell you what to do.
Trauma-Informed Care
It means to recognize that difficult or painful experiences can affect how we feel, think, and relate to others. I approach your experiences with sensitivity, patience and without judgment. You are always in control of what you choose to share and at what pace.
Somatic
Somatic therapy recognizes that our emotions and life experiences can affect not only how we think and feel, but also how we experience things physically. We pay attention to signals from your body, such as tension, restlessness or changes in breathing, and explore ways to feel more grounded, relaxed, and connected to yourself.
Location
Virtual sessions
In-person sessions708 Church St, Evanston, IL 60201, 205
Identifies as
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Other specialties
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Licensed in
- IllinoisLicense 149023308