Julie Oscherwitz Grant, L.C.S.W.
Cultivating strength and growth through difficult times
5225 Old Orchard Road Suite 6
Skokie, IL 60077
ph: (847)650-5313
fax: (847)282-1639
jogrant
Specialties
Separation/Divorce/Blending Families
Going through a separation and/or divorce disrupts every person involved, requiring multiple adjustments, internally, in relationships and practically. Every situation is unique and poses its own set of challenges. There are a multitude of practical and logistical concerns to address, as well as the emotional repercussions. You can lose your sense of being grounded, having a secure place in the world, and this experience can be scary, disorienting, and overwhelming. Your sense of yourself as a partner, parent, child or grandparent may change or at least be shaken up by the situation. Divorce sparks a range of feelings, depending upon the situation, but can include sadness, anger, betrayal, anxiety, and fear. At the same time, there can be relief and renewed hope and optimism. All of these feelings represent our reactions to change. Families that reorganize into new groupings with additional and/or different members face many challenges as they learn to navigate in their changed environment, adjusting their boundaries to accomodate new people as well as respecting and nurturing the original relationships. As with other situations that we inevitably face in life, the key to realizing a positive outcome in the midst of change is to move through these changes as productively as possible, as opposed to becoming stuck and immobilized. An experienced, knowledgeable therapist understands the complexities involved and can help at many levels, from the concrete issues related to making changes to the deeper emotions that are stirred during this time. Developing and utilizing an outside connection can transform a seemingly insurmountable situation into a manageable or even positive one.
Depression
Sometimes life's challenges feel so overwhelming that you want to give up, have trouble accomplishing even simple tasks and withdraw from people around you, including loved ones. You may find yourself crying without knowing why; losing your temper at the slightest provocation; lacking the energy to get out of bed; or continuing to follow your daily routine but deriving no satisfaction or joy from anything. The amount you eat and/or sleep may change dramatically. These are indications that you may be suffering from depression. Talking to an experienced professional therapist can interrupt this painful pattern, make you feel less alone and more hopeful and energized.Loss of a Job
Many people are feeling the impact of our struggling economy, having to curtail activities and cut back use of services that had been taken for granted. But these changes pale in comparison to the experience of losing your job. With that loss comes many questions: "How will I support my family, pay the mortgage, put my kids through school? Who am I if I am not doing this job anymore? This is what has defined me, what gives me a sense of my value in my family and in society." Although this situation is widespread, its impact is felt by each individual in his or her own way. The feelings that result can be confusing, paralyzing and hard to sort out. And if those around you are either directly affected by your situation or in a totally opposite one, it's hard to know who to talk to. Help with stress management, and sorting out the issues, both practical and emotional, can help you to think 'outside of the box', to strategize about next steps and to regain the confidence you need to take on this challenging situation.Couples Therapy
Every relationship is a challenge, with its wonderful moments and its difficult times. You come together at a point in time in each of your lives, and it seems as if you are perfect for each other, or at least compatible. But then life continues, and as you evolve over time and encounter the inevitable changes that occur -- with age, job changes, children, loss of loved ones, and the internal shifts that make you re-evaluate your feelings and needs -- you may find yourself feeling and acting differently, or feeling like you don't recognize yourself or your partner. Sometimes people outside of your relationship or your jobs seem to take you away from each other and you can't find your way back. Consulting with an experienced therapist can help you get a clear picture of where you are and how you got there, and can help you to move forward in whatever way you identify as necessary and desired.
Parenting Challenges
Parenting is a monumental undertaking, one which you enter into without fully knowing how it will feel and what challenges it will present. Every person responds to it in a myriad of ways, ranging from joy to despair and every feeling in between. At different points in your child's development, and in the growth of your family as a whole, you will confront new experiences and face decisions and situations that challenge or surprise you. There are multiple relationships to manage -- parent/child; sibling/sibling; parent/parent; grandparent/parent; parent/teacher; the list is endless -- and each child will bring his or her unique personality and attributes to the mix. When you don't know how to proceed, or need someone to help you sort out issues or find the courage to confront a difficult situation, consulting an experienced therapist can help you understand each person's contribution to the situation, and can mobilize you to use your instincts and inner resources to deal with what is happening and take the necessary steps to move forward.
Grief/Loss
Losing a loved one -- a life partner, child, relative, friend -- can be devastating, leaving you feeling lost, numb, sad, and angry. It changes your sense of yourself and removes you from the world around you. It is a deeply personal experience, unique to each individual and even to that individual's experience of each separate loss that he/she encounters. Sometimes the loss is felt when it happens; other times you feel its impact years later, at a point in your life when something happens that triggers memories of an earlier time in your life. The loneliness can be overwhelming. Therapy will not bring the person back in the real sense, but there are ways in which we can help you learn to cope with your loss and find ways to incorporate your loved one into your life and heal.
Young Adult Transitions
This phase of life is a challenging one for all involved. Parents and their young adult children sometimes struggle to know and interact with each other in new ways. Young adults face new levels of responsibility, difficult decisions and the many feelings that come with either living on their own or living with their parents as adults. Talking to an effective, experienced therapist can help you develop a clearer definition of who you are vis a vis others in your life, and can guide you as you navigate through the challenges of this life stage.Women's health
Women deal with a set of unique experiences related to their physical health, including the onset and ongoing experience of menstruation, reproductive issues and challenges, from infertility to postpartum depression, and the years encompassing their movement through the process of menopause. As with men but in unique ways, women face issues related to their hormones and certain types of cancers. I have worked extensively and continue to see women facing many of these challenges, and can help you and/or someone you're concerned about work through issues as they arise.
5225 Old Orchard Road Suite 6
Skokie, IL 60077
ph: (847)650-5313
fax: (847)282-1639
jogrant