John M Palen, PhD, LCSW
847.967.1695
5225 Old Orchard Road Ste 1
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Traditional Psychotherapy
Individual and Couple's Therapy
Good therapy should be a dynamic partnership focused on increasing self-awareness by identifying, understanding and then changing patterns that get in the way of achieving goals. My approach is individualized, interactive and proactive. My training and experience is in psychodynamic psychotherapy but I often incorporate cognitive and behavioral approaches when working with people who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety.
I also provide counseling to individuals unsure about their sexual orientation, as well as to their families.
Clients come from diverse backgrounds and present with concerns ranging from depression, anxiety and self-doubt, to relationship difficulties and worries about their children. I admire them for their courage, and value their partnership that we form over time.
Men’s Therapy
In addition to extensive work with families experiencing the many challenges of divorce, I work with men invested in becoming more authentic partners and fathers. I also work with men negotiating difficult life transitions such as divorce, career change, fatherhood, loss of a partner/spouse, and with single and married men who are in turmoil about their sexuality.
Child/Adolescent Therapy
I work with children and adolescents to identify and resolve issues related to low self-esteem, social skills, behavioral difficulties, depression, anxiety and uncertainty about identity. I’m relaxed with kids and find that many who are frightened by the idea of seeing a therapist are more comfortable considering me to be a coach working with them on mutually defined goals. Because I operate from a family systems perspective I often invite family members to participate in sessions. When working with children and adolescents I work hand-in-hand with teachers, pediatricians and child psychiatrists.
I understand that parents worry about their children, especially when they are in pain, and I always try to respond in a timely manner to their concerns and questions.
I specialize in working with kids and families experiencing the many losses associated with divorce. Some of this work includes parent-child therapy in situations when a child or adolescent refuses contact with one of his or her parents.