Do you work with women leaving abusive relationships?

Yes, with a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes your safety and your choices. If you are in immediate danger, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or call 911.

Women’s Wellness

Women’s Wellness Counseling in Downers Grove, IL

Name: Affirm Behavioral Health, PLLC
Address: 5120 Main St., Suite 105, Downers Grove, IL, 60515, US
Telephone: (708) 990-1174
Price range: $75 – $225

Have you lost much of the joy you once felt? Are you struggling in an abusive or toxic relationship? Have years of low self-worth resulted in a less-than-desirable life? Seeking therapy can be an empowering first step on the road back to you.

Request a Free Consultation (708) 990-1174

Three women laughing together outdoors, representing connection and wellness

Common mental health concerns women bring to therapy

Depression and anxiety
Postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety
Post-traumatic stress after abuse, assault, or medical trauma
Eating disorders and body image struggles
Borderline personality traits and emotional intensity
Mood changes tied to hormonal shifts, perimenopause, or menopause
Low self-worth and self-harming behaviors
Caregiving load and the “sandwich generation” squeeze

Are women more at risk of developing mental health issues?

Oxford University clinical psychologist Daniel Freeman analyzed twelve large-scale studies and concluded that women may be between 20% and 40% more likely than men to develop a mental illness. According to Freeman, women tend to view themselves more negatively than men, and that is a vulnerability factor for many mental health problems.

Women may experience environmental, psychological, and biological challenges related to gender that have a significant impact on mental health and well-being. If not addressed, these challenges can become burdens that lead to anxiety, depression, and a lost sense of self.

Why seek therapy for women’s issues?

Women’s issues can take a serious toll on emotional, physical, and mental health. The effects can range from mild to severe, and in many cases they are not something you can resolve on your own. By seeking therapy you can get the help you need to overcome an issue you have been struggling with, sometimes for years.

There are several evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), that offer coping tools and new perspectives. Each step may feel challenging, uncertain, or scary, but you will have someone right there with you, listening and encouraging you to cross the finish line.

A woman-led practice with medical insight

I bring more than three decades in behavioral health, a background in medical care, and advanced oncology social work training to this work. That matters when your concerns involve a breast cancer diagnosis, fertility, a difficult birth, caring for aging parents, or a body that is changing in ways no one prepared you for. If you or someone you know would like to explore treatment options, I would be honored to walk with you on your journey.

Frequently asked

Questions about women’s wellness therapy

Yes. Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders are common and highly treatable. Telehealth sessions make it possible to get support without arranging childcare or leaving the house with a newborn.

Why clients choose Affirm Behavioral Health

Dual-specialty care for mental health and substance use, with medical insight most therapists don’t offer.

Christine Stryjewski is both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor, with advanced oncology social work training and years of experience in medical care. That means anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and medical stress can be treated together in one coordinated plan.

Related services