Emily Berkman, LCSW
Teens 17+, College Students, Graduate Students, Parents, Adults and Older Adults
Anxiety, Insomnia, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Codependency, Grief and Bereavement, Self Esteem Issues, Panic Attacks, Depression, Difficult Childhoods, Care Giving Stress, Parenting, Burn Out, Peri and Post-Partum Mental Health, Procrastination, Building New Habits
I am a lifelong Chicagoan. My husband of nearly 20 years and I are proud to raise our two kids in the city I love. I am also part of a multigenerational household, where I help care for extended family members. This experience has deepened my understanding of grief, shifting family roles, and the complexities of caregiving, which continue to shape who I am both personally and professionally.
I am a first generation college student, so I know how it feels to be on the outside looking in at times, and to feel out of place no matter where you go. But, with time and support I’ve built a place for myself and I love my career. I’ve known since I was a young adult that I wanted to be a therapist.
It has been my privilege to be a mental health professional since 2014 when I earned my masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago. As part of my graduate degree, I gained experience at Misericordia, providing therapy to adults with disabilities. I also provided support to teens struggling with mental health and substance abuse at the Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Chicago Lakeshore Hospital.
In the last 10 years, I have gained extensive training and experience providing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy, grief-focused work, burnout recovery, and building communication and boundary-making skills. I have worked in a range of settings, including hospice, universities and crisis call centers, but being here at Inspire offers me the opportunity to work together one on one in order to do the work of uncovering, healing and moving forward. It is an honor to witness and walk alongside you in your journey.
I take a warm approach with respect and humor. It is so normal to be nervous about starting therapy, and taking the first step takes a lot of courage. Together we can take a look at what you’re dealing with, and make a plan to help you move forward.