Every practice varies in what they offer.  We focus on helping adults, teens, and couples.  We work with people from any religious background, and are open to seeing if we are a fit with anyone who contacts us.  We specialize in working with people who engage life from a Christian perspective, and are happy to draw upon resources from the Christian tradition to help people heal, grow and flourish.  Yet, we respect people where they are, and will not “push” a Christian frame on anyone.

Therapy is the process of letting ourselves be more vulnerable over time about what we are struggling with in order to heal, and gain healthier perspectives on ourselves, others, and the world. As indicated on the home page, our approach is to first make room for sharing the burden. As we share our story in the context of safety and grace, light starts to seep in. As the process unfolds, gradually we gain new perspectives that are more and more rooted and established in healthy beliefs. We grow in our ability to see ourselves more clearly and are no longer as driven by perspectives that often leave us feeling lacking and overwhelmed.   Over time, we are gradually more able to live lives that are more adaptive and fulfilling

Usually therapy appointments are held weekly. When a person gets into a better place, it can move two times a month. Sometimes, on rare occasions, meeting twice a week or more is needed to help a person who is struggling deeply start to right the ship.

The bulk of our therapy work is provided via telehealth in Illinois, Florida or Virginia. Irene Liem, Psy.D. does see some clients in her office in the Western suburbs of Chicago. Click here to learn more about online therapy.

To be candid, lasting healing and genuine recovery often don’t happen quickly. Depending on the issue or depth of the problem(s), it can often take longer than we’d like really get to a place where we are truly flourishing.   But, the relief of starting to share your burden often comes quickly. The sense of not being alone or on your own nearly always ushers in a much-needed sense of hope and felt support. 

Yet, there is often challenging work ahead.  This work is definitely doable, (we’ve seen it over and over) but this kind of “inner work” will ask you to persevere and embrace a different kind of courage to face the harder truths about our stories and ourselves. 

Yet, as you gradually risk greater transparency in being real, it makes more room for deeper healing and for taking on healthier approaches to navigating your struggles. 

Again, in most cases, it can often take a few weeks to start to notice real change. 

Deeper, more lasting change, the kind that leads to real and lasting flourishing, can take a year or longer. 

Our team is here to support you in your healing journey, as long as it takes.  

 You can stop your work at any time. The bigger point is to know that you have a safe place to make sense of your world and find healthy, fulfilling ways to live your one life.