5 of the Best Chicago Trauma Therapists
If you're dealing with the lasting effects of trauma—whether from a specific event, childhood experiences, or ongoing stress—you know how much it can impact every area of your life.
Finding the right trauma therapist can feel overwhelming when you're already stretched thin, but trauma therapy isn't one-size-fits-all, which is why it's important to be intentional about who you choose.
Here, I'll introduce you to myself and other trusted trauma specialists in Chicago, so you can find the support that feels right for your specific situation and goals.
Meet the therapists
Best for high-achievers & perfectionists: Elizabeth Bodett Dresser
Best for couples impacted by trauma: Jon Colledge
Best for trauma-informed eating disorder care: Tori Cherry
Best for trauma therapy for children: Emma Peck-Block
Best for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy: Autumn Starks
Why trust me?
As someone who's walked the path from burnout to balance myself, I know what it's like to live with trauma that doesn’t look how you might expect. I also have specialized training in two trauma-focused treatment methods: IFS and EMDR, giving me a deep understanding of holistic trauma healing.
How I selected
These therapists were chosen to represent diverse approaches to trauma healing—from somatic and body-based work to different age groups and cultural backgrounds. While I specialize in high-achievers, this list includes therapists who work with teens, families, specific trauma types, and various therapeutic modalities to ensure you can find the right match for your unique situation.
Meet the therapists
Elizabeth Bodett Dresser
Best for high-achievers & perfectionists
Treats trauma ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: Chicago, IL
Virtual therapy: Yes
I help high-achievers recognize how early experiences of pressure and emotional invalidation show up as anxiety and self-doubt today. Using Internal Family Systems therapy, I guide clients toward self-compassion and internal balance, helping them quiet their inner critic and trust themselves more deeply.
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Trauma-related burnout, overachieving, & perfectionism | Children or adolescents |
| IFS & EMDR | Short-term therapy |
| Longer-term trauma healing | In-person sessions |
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Relationship issues | Children or adolescents |
| Male therapist | Female therapist |
| Blended behavioral & mindfulness approach | EMDR |
Jon Colledge
Best for couples impacted by trauma
Treats trauma ✓
Clientele: Adults, couples
Location: 307 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 412, Chicago, IL
Virtual therapy: Yes
Jon offers trauma-informed therapy for individuals and couples navigating anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship issues. By blending evidence-based methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness, he equips clients with the tools they need to move forward.
Tori Cherry
Best for trauma-informed eating disorder care
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Health At Every Size & body liberation framework | Young children |
| Teens & adults | EMDR |
| Online sessions | In-person sessions |
Treats trauma ✓
Clientele: Teens, adults
Location: Illinois
Virtual therapy: Yes
Tori’s practice specializes in eating disorders and disordered eating patterns, which can often be related to traumatic experiences. She blends modalities like IFS and CBT with a deeply relational approach that helps clients feel fully seen and supported.
Emma Peck-Block
Best for trauma therapy for children
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Kids & families | Morning sessions |
| EMDR | In-person & virtual sessions |
| Afternoon & evening sessions | In-network care |
Treats trauma ✓
Clientele: Young children, preteens, teens, adults, & families
Location: 4809 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640
Virtual therapy: Yes
Emma specializes in providing trauma counseling for children and families. Her approach is playful and compassionate, making a safe space for young people to express their feelings and process their experiences.
Autumn Starks
Best for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy
| Good fit for: | Not a fit for: |
|---|---|
| Trauma-related burnout, overachieving, & perfectionism | Children or adolescents |
| IFS & EMDR | Short-term therapy |
| Longer-term trauma healing | In-person sessions |
Treats trauma ✓
Clientele: Adults
Location: 1040 North Blvd #225, Oak Park, IL 60301
Virtual therapy: Yes
Autumn is a trauma counselor with specialties in supporting those with religious trauma as well as those who identify as LGBTQ+ or neurodivergent. She uses trauma-informed approaches like IFS and ketamine-assisted therapy to help people deeply heal from traumatic experiences.
FAQs about trauma counseling
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While all licensed therapists have basic trauma training, trauma specialists have additional education and experience in how traumatic experiences affect the nervous system, relationships, and daily functioning. Trauma therapists use specific approaches (like IFS and EMDR) designed to help your body and mind process difficult experiences safely, rather than just talking about them.
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You might benefit from trauma therapy if you're experiencing symptoms like
Anxiety,
Depression,
Nightmares or flashbacks,
Feeling disconnected from yourself or others,
Difficulty trusting people,
Emotional numbness,
Feeling "stuck" in life, or
Having intense reactions to certain situations.
Many people don't realize their struggles stem from past experiences—both big and small—that their nervous system is still trying to process.
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I primarily use Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, which helps you work with different parts of yourself—like your inner critic or perfectionist part—with compassion rather than trying to eliminate them. This approach recognizes that you developed these protective strategies for good reasons, and we can help them relax as you build more self-trust and emotional safety.
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We'll start by creating a safe space where you can slow down and reconnect with yourself beyond your achievements. Initially, we'll focus on understanding your patterns and building emotional awareness. Over time, you'll develop tools for managing anxiety, setting boundaries, and trusting your intuition. Healing happens gradually, and I'll support you at a pace that feels manageable.
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If you're tired of feeling like you're performing all the time and want to address the root causes of your anxiety rather than just managing symptoms, we might be a good match. I work best with people who are curious about their inner world and ready to invest in longer-term change rather than quick fixes.
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Start by scheduling a free consultation call where we can talk about what's bringing you to therapy and see if we feel like a good fit. From there, we'll schedule your first session and begin the process of helping you feel more at ease in your own life.