Hi! I am a licensed counselor (LMFT in District of Columbia, LCPC in Illinois. My home base is in Wheaton, IL. I have been practicing for 28 years, and have extensive experience in non-profit work as well, working with youth and adults in variety of capacities from program management to development and implementation of service learning programs. My approach to therapy is a mindful-based approach that validates the client experience while at the same time nurtures empowering growth and change. It is an approach that embraces the client where they are, and seeks to weave together a narrative that nurtures the client to grow through discomfort while honoring how difficult change can be. This approach helps to deal not only with issues related to life satisfaction, relationships, and career work, but also in dealing with life circumstances that are unpleasant but beyond the client's control. This work is informed by neuroscience, and we will often take time to both notice what is happening in the body and how that can help effect change. This work is based in neuroscience, but in addition, and when willing, we may explore spirituality - both as sources of pain (such as religious trauma) as well as possibilities for supporting healing.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session, clients can expect to tell more of the story of what is going on in their life at this time and look a bit more of the backstory (family, relationships, developmental markers growing up). We will also spend some time explaining some of the mental health and neuroscience to set the framework for the therapy process.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

What I have heard from clients that I am not only compassionate, but effective in creating a safe and trusting environment, and make the therapeutic relationship a very real relationship where what is happening covertly within the person can become overt and held in the relationship. As one client told me, "You really do seem to care." I have also been affirmed in being able to remember important details in the story of the clients' lives.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I like working with a wide range of clients, but work very will with clients who are open and willing to explore the narrative of their life and how they want to change it, knowing that sometimes the change can be around circumstances, or how one relates to those circumstances. Needless to say, developing a sense of trust in therapy is most important to making space for that change.

About Brad Ogilvie

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