Patricia Nolan, LCPC
Psychotherapist (she/her)
specialties
Trauma & Complex Trauma | Intergenerational trauma | Family of Origin Issues | Relationship Issues | Grief & Mourning | Depression | Anxiety | Self-injury | Chronic Suicidal Ideation | Sexual Abuse
About patricia
Sometimes, trauma early in our life feels unspeakable and it's hard to fit it into our own story. You may feel split off from your experiences, locking them away somewhere else until you can’t ignore them anymore. Your perception might feel altered, feeling overwhelmed by terror, rage, grief, shame, helplessness, or hopelessness. Your body often feels tense and alert even when no actual threat is present: the world doesn't feel safe and it's hard to know who you are.
You might feel intense sadness about what you did not get as a child but desperately needed. Maybe you tried very hard to feel loved, yet feel guilty and blame yourself for what happened to you. You learned to put other people's needs ahead of your own and you can’t seem to shake the pattern. In relationships, you may feel like you're either left to fend for yourself or taken over by others. Past experiences of neglect, violence, or abuse disrupted your desire for closeness, and familiar patterns of rescue and betrayal keep repeating. It is often difficult to face what happened to you as a child alone, but you want to get to the truth.
Looking at everything that led you to this moment, you can make different choices and meaningful changes in your life. I can help you pay attention to things you may not know or have not noticed. We will explore what may be internally hidden, feels overwhelming, or confusing, and examine the larger systems and social stressors impacting your life.
I sincerely believe you have the answers within. We will strive to welcome all parts of yourself into our work, leading to greater self-awareness, self-acceptance, and emotional well-being. Over time, you may feel more in control of your reactions and able to manage life’s responsibilities and obstacles. Together we will explore your thoughts and feelings at a pace that connects you with who you truly are and frees you from old scripts and patterns.
I work with people who experienced complex trauma, intergenerational trauma, family of origin issues, loss and grief, depression, anxiety, self-injury, and chronic suicidal ideation. I have considerable experience working with adults with histories of sexual abuse, sexual assault, and clergy sexual abuse. While I have additional training in EMDR and somatic approaches to trauma recovery, I primarily work from a psychodynamic perspective because this allows us to get to the root of your distress and produces transformative change in the relationship with yourself and with others.
Social justice and social change are essential to human development and growth. I became a psychotherapist after transitioning from decades of working in public finance, city planning, and community organizing. Recently, I worked for a law firm representing survivors of childhood sexual abuse in civil litigation, following years of serving as a clinical supervisor for a rape crisis center. I enjoy working with those involved in social change, policy, and advocacy work.
I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) PPO plans. If you have a different plan, we will provide you what you will need to seek reimbursement from your insurance.
Education and Training
Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis: Fellowship in Psychoanalysis
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP) - in training
Benedictine University: MSc in Clinical Psychology
University of Illinois: Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Illinois Wesleyan University: BA in English
EMDR Training (part 1 and 2)
NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) (level 1)
ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
University of Chicago: Faculty, School of Social Service Administration
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis