Maddy Seabrook

MEd, LPC

(she/her)

My first time seeking someone to talk to was already nerve-racking. Add to this that I'm a 40 year old guy who is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and it's almost understandable why I waited so long. The thing is, I had nothing to worry about, I am early in my journey but I am already reaping the rewards of my courage.

As a therapist, my goal is to affirm my clients’ unique experiences and to support them in living more empowered lives. Everyone has the tools within themselves to flourish, but life experiences can make it challenging to connect with those strengths and abilities. The impact of trauma and oppression can move us into places of isolation and self-doubt. I respect how people adapt in order to survive, and I deeply honor their resiliency. I also believe that people deserve more than mere survival. We all deserve joy, connection, and safety. Together, we will create a safe space and build a secure relationship to then be able to explore these darker places without shame or judgment.

Grounded in trauma-informed, relational frameworks, I believe that healing happens in relationships, so I work with my clients to collaboratively create a space that allows each of us to show up authentically. I use feminist, psychodynamic, and narrative theories to explore the impact of trauma and systems of oppression and work toward cultivating self-compassion. Clients’ visible and invisible intersecting identities shape how they show up and are treated in the world, and those complexities are honored and celebrated in my therapeutic process. Humans are complex and intricate, and it is a privilege to explore it all.

My therapeutic style is warm, patient, and engaged. I believe therapy should be egalitarian, that the client and therapist share responsibility and power within the room. Vulnerability met with empathy can be transformative, so I meet all clients with non-judgmental care.

I enjoy working with children, teens, and adults to address trauma, mood disorders, chronic illness/disability, and LGBTQIA/2S+ identity development. I am passionate about working with neurodivergent and queer/trans populations. I am sex-positive, kink/BDSM friendly, and practice from the tenants of fat liberation and anti-racism. I am interested in working with individuals and couples navigating various challenges in their transition to parenthood and am in the process of pursuing certification as a perinatal mental health clinician (PMH-C).

I received my bachelor’s degree from Columbia College Chicago and my master’s from DePaul University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In addition to private practice, I have experience working in a multidisciplinary therapeutic day program. My training experiences include providing counseling services to homicide victims and refugee populations. I am also trained in expressive arts interventions and enjoy integrating art and movement into therapy.

  • IL LPC License Number: 178019517
  • Supervised by: Danelle Rhoades, LCPC, PMH-C
  • Accepts: BCBS PPO and Blue Choice plans, Aetna PPO, self-pay clients

Selected Training & Affiliation

  • LGBTQIA+ and Gender Expansive Care training
  • Expressive Art Therapy training
  • Narrative Therapy training
  • Internal Family Systems
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Postpartum Support International
  • Gottman Method Level 1 Couples Therapy Training

Key Beliefs

  • Emotions contain information –– we can learn so much from them!
  • Healing happens in relationships with others.
  • Everyone is doing the best they can with what they know.
  • Through the unconditional acceptance of another, we can learn how to unconditionally accept ourselves.

More About Me

  • My background is in the arts, so being creative is a big part of my self-care, whether writing poetry or journaling, crocheting, or going to the theater.
  • You can usually find me lost in a good book, be it an ebook, physical book, or audiobook.