Elisabeth Purkis, LCSW

About

Clinical Social Work/Therapist in Chicago, IL. Works with Life Transitions, Depression and Women's Issues. Sees clients in person and online. Takes Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna and other plans. Accepting new clients.

Areas of expertise

• Life Transitions
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Coping Skills
• Grief
• Parenting
• Relationship Issues
• School Issues
• Self Esteem
• Stress Management

Types of therapy

• Attachment-basedLooks at early bonds with caregivers and how they shape relationships and emotions now, and works toward a greater sense of safety and connection.
• Clinical Supervision and Licensed SupervisorsNot a therapy for clients: this therapist supervises other clinicians, for example those working toward their license.
• Compassion FocusedHelps people who are hard on themselves to build warmth and compassion toward themselves, as a counterweight to shame and self-criticism.
• Culturally SensitiveTakes a person's culture, identity, background and values into account, and shapes the work so it fits their life.
• EclecticUses techniques from several approaches, chosen to suit the person and the problem rather than following one model.
• ExistentialExplores life's big questions, such as meaning, freedom, choice, loneliness and death, and how they connect to a person's struggles.
• Family SystemsSees a person as part of their family as a whole, and explores roles, patterns and communication across the family rather than one person's problems alone.
• FeministConsiders how gender, power and social context affect a person's life and well-being, and aims for an equal relationship between client and therapist.
• HumanisticA family of approaches, including person-centered and Gestalt therapy, that emphasize growth, self-awareness and a person's capacity to choose.
• IntegrativeCombines more than one therapy approach, fitted to the person's needs.
• InterpersonalA structured, time-limited therapy focused on relationships and life events, such as conflict, loss or big role changes, and how they affect mood.
• Motivational InterviewingA collaborative style of conversation that helps people explore mixed feelings about a change and find their own reasons to make it.
• MulticulturalRecognizes how culture, race, ethnicity and other identities shape experience, and makes them part of the work.
• PsychodynamicExplores how past experiences, relationships and feelings outside awareness shape how a person thinks and acts today.
• Strength-BasedFocuses on the strengths, skills and resources a person already has, and builds on them to meet challenges.

More details

Sessions

Both in-person and online

Accepting new clients

Yes

Specialties

Life Transitions, Depression, Women's Issues, Anxiety, Attachment issues, Caregivers, Chronic Illness, Coping Skills, Family of origin issues, Geriatric and Seniors, Grief, LGBTQ+, Mood Disorders, Parenting, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self Esteem, Spirituality, Stress

Insurance

Aetna, BlueCross and BlueShield, Cigna and Evernorth, Optum, UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH, Out of Network

Fees

Individual sessions $180; sliding scale available

Payment methods

ACH Bank transfer, Cash, Check, Health Savings Account, Paypal, Venmo, Zelle

Ages

Adults, Elders (65+)

Works with

Individuals

Communities

Bisexual Allied, Blind Allied, Deaf Allied, Gay Allied, HIV / AIDS Allied, Immuno-disorders, Lesbian Allied, Little Person Allied, Non-Binary Allied, Queer Allied, Racial Justice Allied, Sex Worker Allied, Single Parent, Transgender Allied

Religion

Buddhist

Languages

English

Gender

Female

Education

School of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago

Years in practice

27

Other offices

1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, 60642

Education & qualifications