About Us
Lena Elkhatib, MA, LMFT is a licensed Chicago and Skokie-based therapist that specializes in individual therapy, marriage or relationship counseling and sex therapy. Commonly treated concerns include intimacy issues, communication issues, transitioning to parenthood, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict or disconnection and infidelity.
Licensed Chicago therapist, Chicago therapist, therapist, sex therapist, skokie therapist, couples counseling, marriage counseling
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MEET LENA ELKHATIB, LMFT, CST –
FOUNDER OF ESSENTIA THERAPY, LLC

  • Individual, Relationship and Sex Therapist
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  • AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist

I work with people looking to make changes. People yearning for, looking for and ready to reconnect with themselves, their partners and their sexuality in a deeper, more authentic, more vibrant way. I work with people that simply won’t settle for a life that is anything short of turned on.

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As a relational therapist, specifically trained and licensed in Marriage and Family Therapy and AASECT-certified in Sex Therapy, my passion is in working with individuals and couples in navigating a myriad of personal and interpersonal challenges such as relationship issues, intimacy & sexual concerns and navigating life stage transitions and anxiety management (for a more comprehensive list click here).

 

My practice is all about creating a space for compassion and acceptance, alongside growth and change. Through therapy, we will work together to discover, unpack and explore the stories guiding your life or relationships. We’ll dig into where they come from and take a cold hard look at whether or not they line up with your values and desires.  And, for those stories that are leaving you feeling stuck, we’ll challenge them and rewrite new ones based in your truth, opening up space for a life, love and sexuality that is rooted in authenticity, clarity and self-compassion. Our work together won’t always be easy, but change never is. If you’re willing to lean in, you’ll leave with a stronger connection to yourself, your partner and your sexuality, new scripts to live by and a slew of strategies to stay on track.

THE PROCESS

 

My approach to therapy begins with forming an intimate understanding of who you are, what your values and belief systems are and how you got them. From there, we explore what you’re looking for in life, and what barriers there are in your lived experience that prevent you and your relationships from showing up in their best, most authentic way. Ultimately, we’ll work together to challenge your status quo and address unresolved conflict, building a new narrative through strategies tailored to your unique strengths and personality.

EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING

 

In addition to receiving my Masters’ degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Adler University, I’m certified in Sex Therapy following an intensive training at the Modern Sex Therapy Institute. I am also certified in PREPARE/ENRICH, a program for couples considering marriage, cohabitation or co-parenting, as well as PSI, focusing on treating postpartum anxiety and depression.

AFFILIATIONS

  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)
  • American Association for Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT)
  • Illinois Affiliation of Marriage and Family Therapists (IAMFT)
  • The Sexual Health Alliance
  • Postpartum Support International (PSI)

CERTIFICATIONS

  • AASECT certification in Sex Therapy
  • PREPARE/ENRICH, a program for couples considering marriage, cohabitation and/or co-parenting
  • PSI (Postpartum Support International), a program for treating postpartum anxiety and depression

Headshot of clinician Rachel Schwartz

MEET RACHEL SCHWARTZ, AMFT,  –
ASSOCIATE CLINICIAN

  • Individual, Relationship and Sex Therapist
  • Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

Are you struggling to create an intimate space with your partner? Are you looking for more vulnerability and find yourself coming up short? Do you experience similar cycles of conflict that feel difficult to change? Do feelings of anxiety and depression feel like it absorbs all of your energy?  Have you experienced a decrease in trust with a loved one? You are not alone and I am here to help.

VIEW PSYCHOLOGY TODAY PROFILE

As a Couple & Family Therapist, I am specifically trained on how to work with the many relationships in our lives. These relationships may be our birth families, chosen families, intimate partners, or even society at large. Taking this perspective allows me to assist clients in reflecting and deepening their own understanding. This understanding teaches clients to notice the range of influence these relationships have on our lives. When we understand, and recognize, we can intervene and begin creating the lives we want.

 

I strive to create a space that is warm, welcoming, and nonjudgmental as we explore this messy thing called life. This space will provide you with the tools to dig deeper, the curiosity to ask the hard questions and the safety of knowing you are receiving quality care.

 

I have a particular interest in working with individuals and couples as they explore relational needs, life stage transitions, sexual trauma, families of origin, infidelity, changes in intimacy, conflict resolution and trust repair. My primary goal is to help you discover your most authentic self through collaboration. I look forward to working with you!

AFFILIATIONS

  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT)

We welcome clients of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as gender identities and expression, and sexual and affectional orientations.
We are LGBTQIA+ inclusive, kink and BDSM positive, and poly-friendly.
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