Anxiety Counseling in Park Ridge & Willowbrook: Reclaim Your Life with Help from Illinois Licensed Therapists

Aren’t you just so sick of living with anxiety?

You try so hard to get rid of it, but the harder you try, the worse it seems to get over time.

“Maybe if I just don’t think about it…” but then you do, and the anxiety comes roaring back.

“Perhaps if I distract myself…” but then you realize you can’t keep running away forever.

“Maybe if I avoid x place, y person, or z thought,” but your world just keeps getting smaller and smaller.

With compassion and expertise, our counselors in Park Ridge and Willowbrook use proven CBT, ACT, and ERP techniques to help clients like you find calm, confidence, and relief in daily life.

Teenager talking with a therapist during a counseling session for anxiety

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Now, your anxiety makes you not only anxious, but also a little depressed.

If you suffer from anxiety, you’re likely getting tired of the endless worry and “what-if” thoughts that keep replaying over and over in your head.

You try avoiding things that trigger your anxiety…but then you can’t go to the places or do the same fun things that others seem to do more readily.

You’re Stuck Living in Your Head Instead of Your Life

If you suffer from anxiety, you’re likely getting tired of the endless worry and “what-if” thoughts that keep replaying over and over in your head.

You try avoiding things that trigger your anxiety…but then you can’t go to the places or do the same fun things that others seem to do more readily.

You’re stuck living in your head with your anxious thoughts, instead of in your life, which you realize can be pretty good…and that’s enormously frustrating.

Our anxiety counseling approach at both Park Ridge and Willowbrook locations focuses on getting you back into your life, not just managing symptoms.

How Do You Know If You Need Help for Your Anxiety?

Anxiety affects everyone differently, but if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms regularly, it might be time to consider anxiety counseling:

Mental and Emotional Signs:

Persistent feelings of nervousness or being on edge
Excessive worry that interferes with daily activities
Constant dread or anticipation of negative outcomes
Fears that you recognize as irrational but can’t shake
Comparing your anxiety levels to others and feeling overwhelmed
Feeling the need to hide your anxiety, leading to additional stress

Physical Symptoms:

Muscle tension, sweating, rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath
Difficulty sleeping due to racing thoughts or worries
Panic attacks with intense physical sensations
Fatigue from constant mental tension

Behavioral Changes:

Strained relationships due to anxiety-driven behaviors (seeking constant reassurance)
Avoiding social situations, work presentations, or other activities
Engaging in repetitive thoughts or behaviors to alleviate anxiety
Your world getting smaller as avoidance increases

What Therapy Types Do We Use to Help with Anxiety?

We understand you’ve likely spent enough time dwelling on how terrible anxiety feels. You don’t want to just keep talking about how difficult it is. That’s why our approach is different. At Life Counseling Institute, we focus on action and results, not just talking about problems.

Our therapists are trained in scientifically proven strategies that go beyond typical talk therapy. We don’t just discuss your anxiety; we give you the tools to overcome it. Our evidence-based anxiety treatment options include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Anxiety

CBT is considered the “gold standard” for anxiety treatment by the American Psychological Association. This evidence-based approach has extensive research supporting its effectiveness for anxiety disorders. Our licensed therapists help you:

Identify and challenge anxious thought patterns
Develop practical coping strategies for daily situations
Learn to respond differently to anxiety triggers
Build confidence through systematic practice

Learn more about our CBT therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps you develop psychological flexibility and learn to coexist with anxiety rather than fighting it. This approach is particularly effective for clients who have challenges with:

Persistent worry and rumination
Perfectionism and control issues
Avoidance of difficult emotions
Values-based living despite anxiety

Learn more about our ACT therapy

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

For clients with specific phobias, panic disorder, or OCD-related anxiety, ERP gradually exposes you to feared situations in a controlled, supportive environment. Our therapists customize exposure exercises to:

Reduce avoidance behaviors systematically
Build tolerance for anxiety-provoking situations
Increase confidence in your ability to handle discomfort
Break the cycle of fear and avoidance

ERP is very effective. The November 2022 volume of Psychiatry Research Journal reports on a meta-analysis including one study that “showed that ERP could reduce depressive symptoms of OCD patients by 44.2% on average and reduce anxiety symptoms by 47.8% on average.”

Learn more about ERP for OCD

Mindfulness-Based Approaches

We integrate mindfulness techniques that help you:

Stay grounded in the present moment
Observe anxious thoughts without being controlled by them
Develop a different relationship with your fears
Reduce the impact of worry about future events

Play Therapy

Children experience anxiety too, but they often don’t have the words to describe what they’re feeling. Play therapy gives kids a safe, developmentally appropriate way to express fears and worries through toys, art, and storytelling. Our therapists use play as a bridge to help children:

Express emotions they can’t yet put into words
Work through fears and anxieties in a safe environment
Practice coping skills in a way that feels natural and engaging
Strengthen problem-solving and self-confidence
Improve communication with parents and caregivers

Play therapy helps children feel understood, supported, and empowered to face challenges in healthier ways.

Learn more about how play therapy helps children with anxiety

SPACE Training for Parents

When children live with anxiety, it affects the whole family. SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) is a parent-based treatment developed at the Yale Child Study Center and backed by strong research evidence. Instead of focusing directly on the child, SPACE equips parents with strategies to reduce accommodations and foster independence.

Our therapists who offer SPACE have completed specialized training and certification in this method, which requires advanced clinical experience and a structured training process. This ensures that parents are learning the approach from clinicians who are both knowledgeable and skilled in applying it effectively. Through SPACE, parents learn to:

Respond to anxious behaviors in supportive but non-accommodating ways
Reduce “family accommodations” that unintentionally reinforce anxiety
Model calm, confident coping for their child
Strengthen communication and trust within the family
Support children in facing fears without feeling alone

SPACE helps families break free from the cycle of accommodation and empowers children to build resilience and confidence.

Learn more about our SPACE Training for Parents

Meet Our Anxiety Specialists

Marilee Feldman, LCPC, CADC – Founder & Clinical Director

Marilee is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor specializing in anxiety disorders, with expertise in CBT, ACT, and ERP approaches. As Illinois Regional Coordinator for the Climate Psychology Alliance, Marilee brings unique insight to environmental anxiety and eco-grief counseling. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling from National Louis University in 1999 and is a member of both the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and the International OCD Foundation.

Read Marilee’s full bio and approach

Our Team of Licensed Anxiety Therapists

As founder, Marilee sets the tone for Life Counseling Institute, but of course all of our providers are educated in and experienced with treating anxiety. Our team includes licensed therapists (LCPC, LMFT, LCSW) with specialized training in:

Trauma-informed anxiety treatment
Adolescent and young adult anxiety
Anxiety and depression co-occurring disorders
Culturally responsive therapy approaches
SPACE Training for Parents

All our therapists maintain continuing education in the latest anxiety treatment methods and are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Meet our therapists who specialize in anxiety

Marilee Feldman, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and founder of Life Counseling Institute, smiling outdoors in blue top with blue sweater and long necklace.

Therapists for Anxiety

Transform Your Life with Anxiety Counseling

Manage Your Thoughts More Effectively
Learn to challenge and reframe anxious predictions using proven approaches like CBT, so you can stop getting stuck in worry cycles.
Expand Your Comfort Zone
Break free from avoidance behaviors and gradually regain confidence in daily life whether that’s work, school, or social situations.
Stay Grounded in the Present
Build mindfulness skills that reduce “what if” spirals and help you feel calmer and more in control.
Develop Practical Coping Tools
Create a personalized toolkit, from breathing techniques to thought reframing, that fits your specific anxiety patterns.
Strengthen Relationships
Reduce anxiety-driven behaviors that can strain family, friendships, and work connections, and learn healthier ways to communicate.

Your First Step: What to Expect in Your Initial Consultation

Taking the first step toward managing anxiety can feel daunting, but we make the process welcoming and straightforward:

Warm Welcome – Meet in a calm, private space (in person or online) where you can feel at ease.
Open Conversation – Share your experiences and how anxiety is affecting your life.
Collaborative Goal-Setting – Identify what you’d like to achieve in counseling.
Treatment Approach Discussion – Learn about evidence-based methods like CBT, ACT, or ERP and how they may help.
Plan Your Next Steps – Get answers to your questions and decide together whether to move forward.

Most clients tell us they feel a sense of relief just after the first conversation because having a plan makes anxiety feel more manageable.

Learn more about what to expect in therapy

Why Do Clients Choose Life Counseling Institute for Anxiety?

Life Counseling Institute has provided anxiety counseling to over 4,500 clients since 2012, with therapists holding a combined 90 years of clinical experience treating anxiety disorders in the Chicago northwest and western suburbs.

6 Licensed therapists with advanced external training in anxiety disorders; all our therapists also receive extensive internal anxiety training
Evidence-based methods including CBT, ACT, and ERP
12+ years of experience serving Park Ridge, Willowbrook and surrounding communities
Flexible scheduling options, including evenings and weekends
Secure telehealth sessions available throughout Illinois
In-network with most major insurance providers
Confidential, HIPAA-compliant care in a supportive environment
Complimentary consultation call to help you take the first step toward relief
Specialized services like play therapy for children and SPACE Training for Parents, addressing anxiety across all ages
Leadership in the field of anxiety treatment, including our director’s role as Illinois Regional Coordinator for Climate Psychology Alliance

Frequently Asked Questions About Anxiety Counseling

How long does anxiety therapy typically take?

Most clients see significant improvement within 8-16 sessions using evidence-based approaches like CBT and ERP. However, treatment length varies based on anxiety severity, specific type of anxiety disorder, and individual goals. Some clients benefit from brief, focused treatment, while others prefer longer-term support for complex anxiety patterns.

What’s the difference between normal worry and anxiety disorders?

Normal worry is typically proportional to the situation, temporary, and doesn’t significantly impair your ability to function. Anxiety disorders involve excessive, persistent worry that interferes with daily life, work, relationships, or sleep, and doesn’t respond well to logical reasoning.

Will I need to take medication for my anxiety?

Our therapists do not prescribe medication but they can provide therapy alongside anxiety medication you might be prescribed by your doctor or psychiatrist. Whether or not to take medication is up to the individual; your therapist does not have an agenda around this. That said, you might like to know that many clients find therapy alone sufficient for managing their anxiety. FOCUS, The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychology, has published research showing that CBT alone can be as effective as medication for many anxiety disorders.

Do you offer anxiety therapy in languages other than English?

Yes, we provide anxiety counseling services in English, Spanish, and Polish to serve our diverse northwest and western suburban communities in Illinois.

Can you help with anxiety that occurs with depression?

Absolutely. Anxiety and depression frequently co-occur, and our therapists are trained to address both simultaneously using integrated treatment approaches that target the interconnected nature of these conditions. These are among the most common mental health challenges that people face, and we want to help you cope with both of them in the best way for you.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help my anxiety?

Our evidence-based approach may be different from previous therapy experiences. We focus on specific, proven techniques like CBT, ERP, and ACT rather than general talk therapy. For children with anxiety, we not only offer play therapy but also SPACE Training for Parents. Many clients who didn’t see results with other approaches find success with our action-oriented methods.

How do I choose between your Park Ridge and Willowbrook locations?

Both locations offer the same high-quality, evidence-based anxiety treatment with licensed therapists. The choice often depends on geographic convenience and therapist availability. Additionally, many of our counselors offer virtual anxiety therapy for your convenience.

View our locations and contact information

Ready to Reclaim Your Life from Anxiety?

Don’t let anxiety control your life another day. Our compassionate, experienced team is here to help you develop the skills and confidence needed to overcome anxiety and thrive.

Call: (630) 269-2886 Text: (630) 206-4457

Book Anxiety Counseling Now

Serving Park Ridge, Willowbrook, Northwest Chicago, and the northwest and western suburbs with expert, evidence-based anxiety treatment.