Suicide Prevention Month: How to Talk to Kids & Teens About Mental Health

As parents, it can be difficult to know when your teen is struggling and even harder to know how to help. September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and encouraging open conversations about mental health. For parents, this month is also a reminder of how important it is to check in with your teens, listen to their concerns, and create a safe space where they feel supported. Even small conversations can make a big difference in helping your child feel seen, understood, and connected. This post offers resources on how parents like you can proactively address mental health with your teens, from conversational tools to organizations that can provide additional support. 

Data on Teenage Mental Health

Some of the recent data on teen mental health highlight how widespread these challenges are and why open conversations and early support are so important. 

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 10–14-year-olds and the third leading cause of death among 15–24-year-olds in the United States (ACAMH)

• 18.8% of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide, and 8.9% made a suicide attempt within the past year (Ivey-Stephenson et al., 2020)

• Emerging data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic further increased youth suicide risk, with significant increases in rates of deaths by suicide and in emergency department visits for suicide attempts Charpignon et al., 2022; Yard et al., 2021)

How Mental Health Stigma Impacts Parents Seeking Help for Their Kids 

There are many parental barriers to seeking help or initiating conversations because of low mental health literacy, stigma, or fear of labeling (Sayal, Lawrence, Johnco studies). Oftentimes, parents may feel ashamed or embarrassed about the external perception of their child being depressed or suicidal. It's also common for parents to be afraid that they'll lose their child's trust if they do seek help for their child. Another barrier is the misperception that their child's mental health issues will resolve on their own, which conflicts with the reality that depression is an illness and requires treatment in order to improve the individual's mental health. 

Common Misconceptions to Avoid

As you support your teen, it’s also important to be aware of common misconceptions about mental health that can prevent them from getting the help they need.

• Misconception #1: Talking about suicide causes suicidal thoughts. This is false; according to multiple studies there is no statistically significant increase in suicidal ideation among participants asked about suicidal thoughts, and that it actually may be associated with benefits. 

• Misconception #2: Asking for help makes you weak. Seeking help is actually a huge strength, and youth are now increasingly recognizing that discussing their emotions does not mean a person is weak. This can be empowering for young adults to hone in skills of emotional awareness and intelligence.

• Misconception #3: Self harm is the same as suicidality. Self-harm and suicidality are related but distinct behaviors. Edmondson, Brennan, and House (2016) found that many individuals who self-harm do so to cope with emotional distress, regulate overwhelming feelings, or exert a sense of control, rather than to end their lives. In fact, Klonsky (2011) estimates the lifetime prevalence of self-harm in the U.S. at 5-6%, with much of it classified as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). While self-harm is a strong risk factor for later suicide attempts, its primary function for many individuals is emotional regulation rather than suicidal intent (Edmondson et al., (2016)).

Recognizing how these barriers and misconceptions might impact your interactions with your child is the first step; the next is finding practical, age-appropriate ways to begin conversations that help your child feel supported and understood.

Starting the Mental Health Conversation with Your Kids 

The way you approach conversations about mental health will look different depending on your child’s age, but whether you’re talking with a middle schooler or a high school senior, the goal is the same: create a safe, supportive space where they feel heard.

Young Children (6 and under) - At this age, if they ask about depression or suicide, keep your answers short and simple. For example, if someone they know has died by suicide, acknowledge that the person suffered with a disease in their brain and their body stopped working. For children in this developmental stage, the concept of death may be new, and concepts about mental health a little too abstract and complex for them to understand the first time they ask; it will likely be something you have to explain to them more than once. 

Adolescents (7 - 10) Honesty and plain language are key for this age group. Introduce depression as a disease to give them language for it and understand that it is something they can get help with, if they ever experience it.

Teens (11 - 18) At this age, teens have likely been introduced to or heard about what suicide is on an educational level, but not necessarily on an emotional level, and may be unsure how to ask for help or initiate conversations around this topic. This is when you can have a more direct conversation with your teens about the big emotions they're feeling. This stage of life is a big time of transition for them, and there may be feelings that come up that are scary to talk about. When talking to your teens about depression and suicide in this stage of life, it's important to communicate a few key things: 

• They can get help for the depressive feelings and thoughts they're having. 

• Depression is a disease that can be treated. 

• Asking for help and getting diagnosed with depression is not a sign of weakness. 

• Depression and suicidal ideation are serious and can lead to death without help. 

• You're here to help them get the mental health support they need.

(Source: University of Utah Health)

How to Check in with Your Teen About Their Mental Health

If you're concerned that your teen may be struggling with your mental health, or if they've recently lost a friend or loved one to suicide, you may be wondering how to initiate a conversation that builds trust and allows them to be vulnerable. Here are a few tips for communicating support rather than judgment: 

• Use terms like "we" instead of "you" to signal to your child that this can be a joint effort to get help. 

• Name behavior or mood changes you have noticed and ask if there is anything you can do, or ask if it is something they want to talk about. (Look for example questions below.) 

• Use open-ended questions and validate their feelings. 

• Normalize their experience with responses like, “Many people feel this way, and it’s okay to talk about it.”

There are also a few things to avoid in response to their vulnerability: 

• Try not to minimize their experience with responses like, “it’s just a phase; you’ll get through this” or “you’ll get over it.” 

• Don't jump to a problem-solving mindset. 

• Try not to react with fear. 

Here are some example questions you can ask your team to initiate a conversation: 

• I've noticed you've had a couple of down days lately, can you let me know how you're feeling or what you're thinking about?

• It seems like you've been struggling lately. Are you comfortable talking with me about what's going on?

• Hey, I've experienced similar things that you might be feeling, and we can work together to find support and help for you.

• Have you thought about how you might approach this differently?

• What you are feeling sounds tough, but I, or someone else, can help you solve this problem—let's work together on this.

• Have you felt this way before? What kind of things help you feel safe when you're feeling like this?

(Source: University of Utah Health) 

You may find that your child isn’t ready to open up to you about their mental health right now. Forcing them to talk will likely cause them to shut down or withdraw even more, so it’s important to keep communication lines open by responding with compassion and understanding. To make sure they still have access to support, even if it doesn’t come directly from you, give them resources they can reach out to when they’re ready. 

Mental Health Resources to Share With Your Teen

• Get immediate support via iasp.info/suicidalthoughts, a dedicated search tool to find the right helpline to meet your needs, location, and other specifics.

• NAMI Chicago Youth (1-833-626-4244) NAMI Chicago provides help navigating mental health resources for young people in Chicago and suburban Cook County.

• Seize the Awkward is an online resource to help young people talk about mental health with each other.

• Mental Health Resources for LGBTQIA+ Youth

• Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860) Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community. Trans Lifeline is run by and for trans people.

• The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678) The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people.

• Bisexual Queer Alliance Chicago - BQAC’s mission is to educate, empower, and provide resources for bisexual and queer persons through in-person and hybrid groups, events, and programming.

Mental Health Therapy for Teens in Chicago

If you sense that something isn’t right with your teen, trust your instincts—early support from a mental health professional can make a meaningful difference, and our team at ECC is here to help.

At ECC, we support children, teens, and adults of all identities and backgrounds. With the guidance and support of an ECC therapist, your child or teen can learn new coping skills and ways of communicating so that they can thrive into adulthood. We’re committed to helping children and adolescents find the therapist and therapy method that best suits their needs. When you contact us, our intake team will review your intake form and follow up to book an appointment.

About ECC: 

Empowered Connections Counseling is a practice of licensed therapists providing quality, multidisciplinary counseling for relationships, families, children & teens, and individuals in Chicago and across Illinois. Whether by in-person session or via telehealth, we work with clients to find the therapist and treatment methods that best suit their needs. Connect meaningfully with your life by booking an appointment today.

Always Available, Never Enough: How AI Can Fuel OCD Reassurance-Seeking

AI has been hailed as a revolutionary tool for mental health available anytime, anywhere, and always ready to listen. But for people struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or OCD-like tendencies, that very availability can become part of the problem. In this post, we’ll explore the effects AI use can have on people living with OCD or OCD-like symptoms, and what to do if you suspect you may be struggling with compulsive use of AI.

Psychoeducation: OCD & Reassurance Seeking

OCD is characterized by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and the behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) used to try to neutralize or relieve that distress. One of the hallmark compulsions of OCD is reassurance seeking, e.g., repeatedly asking others (or oneself) for certainty or comfort about fears.

For example, a person might be anxious that they are going to get sick, so they seek reassurance from someone else that they don't look or feel sick (hypochondria is a common presentation of OCD). If they ask a friend or loved one, they might temporarily feel soothed by the response, "no, you don't look sick.” While reassurance feels good in the moment, it reinforces the brain’s belief that the feared thought was dangerous and that the compulsion was necessary, and ultimately strengthens the cycle of intrusive thoughts. 

How AI Impacts OCD Reassurance-Seeking Cycles

There are several characteristics of generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT that make it easy for someone with OCD to adopt it as a compulsion. 

• AI is endlessly available, unlike the people around us. A partner, parent, or friend might eventually get tired of repeated questioning, but AI is designed to respond 24/7, without limits. 

• AI is designed to be agreeable and helpful to the user, so it often provides soothing, validating, or “safe” answers rather than gently challenging compulsions like a friend or loved one might.

• Unlike therapy, AI does not set boundaries around reassurance or teach clients strategies to tolerate distress and uncertainty.

These factors create a “perfect storm” where AI can act as an always-accessible reassurance source, reinforcing compulsive loops. Historically, reassurance-seeking happened peer-to-peer, but in the age of AI a person can procure this reassurance instantly without limit about any issue, when a friend or loved one might get fatigued and burnout on providing reassurance. With this limitless reassurance at their fingertips, clients unknowingly reinforce the patterns that make their OCD worse. 

Why Obsessive Compulsive Use of AI Matters Clinically

One of the keys to treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is helping clients practice tolerating uncertainty and feelings of distress through therapy methods like Exposure and Response Prevention or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Clients may unwittingly use AI as a digital compulsion, which undermines this therapeutic work. Instead of practicing tolerating uncertainty, they can fall into an endless cycle of reassurance at 2AM, at work, or any time intrusive thoughts arise. Over time, this can make OCD symptoms more entrenched and harder to treat.

Building Mindful Habits for AI Use

AI isn’t inherently bad for mental health –– it can support psychoeducation, journaling prompts, or practicing guided mindfulness. The key is intention and boundaries: using AI as a therapeutic supplement (like a guided tool), not as a substitute for professional support. 

If you’re struggling with setting boundaries with yourself around use of AI –– or any other technology –– you’re not alone. A licensed therapist can work with you on how to practice mindfulness, set limits, dig deep on what’s driving compulsive behaviors, and find healthier ways of coping. Reach out today to get connected with one of our therapists at ECC.

ABOUT ECC: 

Empowered Connections Counseling is a practice of licensed therapists providing quality, multidisciplinary counseling for adults, children & teens, relationships, and families in Chicago and across Illinois. Whether by in-person session or via telehealth, we work with clients to find the therapist and treatment methods that best suit their needs. Connect meaningfully with your life by booking an appointment today.

​​Belonging, Healing, and the Words That Carry Us Home

The Question Beneath the Question

In my therapy work with expats, a question often arises: “Should I stay in the U.S.? And if I do, what will that mean for me?” On the surface, it’s a practical question about visas, jobs, or futures. But beneath it is something deeper: a longing for belonging and authenticity. The uncertainty of home can weigh heavily, and the ache of not knowing where one fits in can feel disorienting.

Literature often gives us words for this search. Asian-American writers, in particular, capture both the ache and beauty of living between worlds— offering not answers, but companionship.

Literature as a Mirror of Belonging

Hua Hsu, in his memoir Stay True, writes: “We were always searching for a place to belong, and in the meantime, we found it in each other.” Belonging, he reminds us, doesn’t always come from geography or paperwork. Sometimes it emerges in friendships and chosen communities that affirm who we are becoming.

Ocean Vuong echoes this in On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous: “The most beautiful part of your body is where it’s headed.” His words invite us to see belonging not as a fixed location, but as an unfolding journey.

The Emotional Landscape of Belonging

Clients often ask: If I stay, will I lose my authenticity? If I leave, am I giving something up? These questions are not just logistical— they are emotional landscapes filled with longing and loss.

Cathy Park Hong, in Minor Feelings, captures the dissonance of living in a country that doesn’t always see you clearly: “Minor feelings are the racialized emotions…built from the sediments of everyday racial experience and the irritant of having one’s perception of reality constantly questioned.” For many internationals, this describes the disorientation of being misrecognized—of trying to locate authenticity between external perception and inner truth.

Michelle Zauner, in Crying in H Mart, reminds us that belonging can also be cultivated through small rituals: “Food was how my mother expressed her love. And I dreamed of recreating that intimacy in America.” For many, the taste of a dish, a familiar song, or a phrase in their first language can ground them when everything else feels foreign.

Healing Through Story

In therapy, I’ve witnessed how clients find solace in the words of others. Reading a memoir or poem can offer a mirror: I’m not alone in this struggle. Hua Hsu’s grief for his friend in Stay True is deeply personal, yet universal—reminding us that we heal in the act of remembering, in holding onto the threads of connection.

Maxine Hong Kingston captures this kind of healing beautifully: “I learned to make my mind large, as the universe is large, so that there is room for paradoxes.” Belonging is not about erasing contradictions but holding them gently. Healing means making room for both the ache of displacement and the beauty of chosen connections.

Gentle Invitations for You

If you are wrestling with belonging, here are a few invitations:

• Reflect in writing: Where do you feel most at home— in your body, in memory, in a place, or with certain people?

• Seek resonance: Explore the works by writers like Hua Hsu, Ocean Vuong, Cathy Park Hong, Michelle Zauner, or Maxine Hong Kingston. Check out our recommended reading list below for links to their work. Notice which words echo your journey.

• Create ritual: Food, music, language, or community gatherings can become anchors of belongings, wherever you are.

Recommended Reading List

Ocean Vuong – On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
Cathy Park Hong – Minor Feelings
Michelle Zauner – Crying in H Mart
Jhumpa Lahiri – In Other Words
Maxine Hong Kingston – The Woman Warrior
Li-Young Lee – Rose (poetry)

Belonging as Practice

The question “Should I stay?” often transforms into a deeper one: “How do I belong, wherever I am?”

Literature reminds us that belonging may not be a destination but a practice— an act of weaving together memory, identity, and chosen connection. And in therapy, as in literature, we come to see that healing is not about erasing dislocation, but about learning how to belong to ourselves while finding spaces where we are seen and loved.

Mental Health Support for Expats and Immigrants in Chicago

Exploring questions of belonging and making decisions about where you build your life can feel like a lonely process. At ECC Chicago, our therapists strive to understand each client’s unique journey, and we are committed to providing culturally responsive care. Our team comes from diverse, multicultural backgrounds, and we offer multilingual therapy here in Spanish, Mandarin, Thai, and Korean, both in person and online. If you are seeking therapists with cultural humility who can walk alongside you through the challenges of being an expat or immigrant, we’re here to support you. 

ABOUT ECC: 

Empowered Connections Counseling is a practice of licensed therapists providing quality, multidisciplinary counseling for adults, children & teens, relationships, and families in Chicago and across Illinois. Whether by in-person session or via telehealth, we work with clients to find the therapist and treatment methods that best suit their needs. Connect meaningfully with your life by booking an appointment today.

How to Respond When Someone Asks, ‘What Do You Believe Now?'

If you’ve experienced religious trauma, you know that conversations about your beliefs can feel like walking into a minefield. Whether it’s a curious friend, a concerned family member, or someone from your former faith community, the question, “What do you believe now?” can bring up waves of anxiety, frustration, or exhaustion. You may feel pressure to explain yourself, defend your choices, or avoid the topic altogether. In this post, we’ll explore kind, practical ways to respond that honor your boundaries, protect your emotional well-being, and engage (or disengage) in a way that feels safe for you.

First, Keep the Question Asker's Intent in Mind

When a person asks what you believe now, pausing to consider their relationship to you and their intent can help you decide how and whether to engage in the conversation. Are they expressing genuine curiosity, or are they fishing for a debate? Based on what you know of their beliefs, do you anticipate that they'll be supportive of you, or will they try to persuade you to see things their way? Have you been in similar conversations with them before and felt dismissed or trapped? Even if they have genuine concern for you and your wellbeing rooted in religious dogma that makes them fear for your eternal well-being, that concern may lead to a conversation where you feel added pressure to agree with their views.

Remember: You Have Many Options for How to Respond

Having considered the question asker's intent, remember: you have options for how you respond. You do not have to provide an exact recounting of your religious or spiritual evolution, deconstruction, or de-conversion! In fact, this may not be safe given the asker's intent or relationship with you. Your response can vary from open and vulnerable to guarded and boundaried while still remaining honest. 

Here are three ways you can respond when someone asks what you believe now: 

Boundaried: "It's an important journey, but I'm in a solid place right now. Thanks for asking." This response acknowledges that your beliefs have evolved without being specific, and it articulates that regardless of what other people might think if they knew your beliefs you feel stable, which is what matters. This response might be best for someone you have a hard time trusting, who may have put pressure on you in the past to conform to their beliefs, like a parent or a community leader. If they continue to prod, stay boundaried with a response like, “I really appreciate you asking, but it’s a tough topic for me to talk about. Maybe someday I’ll be ready to share more, but not right now.”

Redirect & Explore: "It’s been a journey! How about you? What do you believe now? Is it different from how you were raised?" This response again acknowledges that your beliefs have evolved without going in depth, and allows the question-asker to share insights on their beliefs so that you can continue to evaluate intent and emotional safety. This makes it a great option for casual acquaintances or people from your faith community you may have not interacted with in awhile. 

Open & Vulnerable: "I was raised to believe [X.] I have since been exploring alternatives to this belief system including [Y & Z] and grappling with the impacts of being raised in [X] belief system." Save this response for the people you feel confident discussing this with, who have demonstrated shared beliefs and values. 

Look for Opportunities to Strengthen Your Sense of Self

These questions, against the backdrop of religious trauma, can feel particularly painful and dangerous. In the past, answering a question like "what do you believe?" with something other than full-throated support for the fundamentals of your religious community might have led to punishment from a parent, alienation from important relationships and the broader community, or other consequences like losing jobs, funding, and housing. Your brain and your body are still working on healing from that fear of consequences for answering questions like this honestly. There still may be a risk of relational consequences, which is one reason way boundaries help -- they allow you the opportunity to maintain connection with people who may disagree with you, while still honoring your own need for space. 

These questions can also provide other opportunities to clarify your beliefs, heal the pain of suppressed parts of yourself, or even discover that the question asker may have similar experiences, allowing you to share newfound camaraderie and mutual support.  

Religious Trauma Therapy Near You

Healing from religious trauma is a deeply personal journey, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. A therapist who understands the unique challenges of untangling harmful beliefs, setting healthy boundaries, and rebuilding a sense of self can provide the tools, validation, and support you need. If conversations about your beliefs leave you feeling drained or unsafe, therapy can offer a safe space to process those experiences and practice new ways of responding. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness—it’s a step toward reclaiming your voice and living in alignment with your own values.

ABOUT ECC: 

Empowered Connections Counseling is a practice of licensed therapists providing quality, multidisciplinary counseling for adults, children & teens, relationships, and families in Chicago and across Illinois. Whether by in-person session or via telehealth, we work with clients to find the therapist and treatment methods that best suit their needs. Connect meaningfully with your life by booking an appointment today.

“Who Am I? Where Do I Fit In?” How Cultural Expectations and Trauma Shape Immigrant Identity

“I feel like I am living for the past 15 years of my professional life in the whipped cream. The whipped cream is not what you expect, but when it comes, it is all extra. I've been living in the extra.”
— Ocean Vuong, Vietnamese American poet 

Ocean Vuong’s words speak to the layered reality many immigrants experience— particularly those whose families arrived in the United States seeking safety, opportunity, or simply survival. For many immigrants, especially those from developing nations or lower socioeconomic backgrounds, the definition of a “good life” is humble: having enough food, a roof over your head, and the ability to live another day. Yet in modern Western society, such a life is often viewed as insufficient, unambitious—even a failure.

Navigating two cultures is never easy. Immigrants and their children often face implicit or overt shame simply for being “different.” The culture they carry with them—embedded in language, customs, and even in something as simple as food—can be met with judgment. Many remember moments from childhood when they felt embarrassed bringing home-cooked meals to school, only to be ridiculed for unfamiliar smells or flavors.

The Grief of Identity: When Belonging Feels Elusive

There is a unique kind of grief that arises when you realize how your appearance, accent, culture, or even fashion choices influence how others perceive and treat you. It’s not just about “fitting in”; it’s about reconciling the multiple layers of who you are.

Second-generation immigrants often voice a deep identity conflict: For instance, “I’m not Asian enough in my country of origin because I grew up in the U.S., but I’m not American enough here either.”

These feelings of not being “enough” stem from many sources: historical trauma, racialization, and generational misunderstandings. Adolescents, especially, may feel torn between wanting to fit in with peers and preserving their cultural identity. Over time, as they conform and find belonging among their peers, the shame may fade—but another emotion creeps in: loss.

There is a quiet mourning for the parts of self that are suppressed in the process of assimilation. Despite outward confidence and friendships, many still carry a sense of disconnection. They feel as though they’re performing a version of themselves. Some come to realize they may never fully fit in—due to an invisible, deeply rooted barrier shaped by history and power.

Healing does not require erasing the barrier entirely—but it does ask us to name it, to say: “I see it, and I want to understand.” No one should have to carry the burden of bridging the cultural gap alone.

The Legacy of Trauma: How Past Pain Shapes Family Life

Immigrant families often carry histories shaped by poverty, war, displacement, political persecution, or natural disasters. These experiences leave a deep imprint—not just on those who directly endured them, but on future generations. Trauma shows up in parenting, family roles, and communication patterns.

This can create emotional distance between generations. Children, especially those raised in the host culture, may find themselves more emotionally aware or fluent than their parents, yet feel unseen or misunderstood at home.

First-generation immigrant struggles may include:

• Maintaining relationships with family in their home country, despite vastly different lived experiences.

• Coping with guilt or grief from witnessing continued suffering back home.

• Building a new support system in a host culture with different values around closeness and autonomy.
  

Children of immigrants often bear additional burdens:

• Serving as language brokers and cultural translators.

• Feeling responsible for their family’s upward mobility.

• Navigating unspoken expectations to succeed while suppressing their own needs or emotional pain.

These layered roles can leave both generations feeling isolated, living under the same roof but in vastly different emotional worlds.

Healing Across Generations: Reclaiming Voice and Identity

Healing from cultural and generational trauma is a non-linear and deeply personal journey. It requires reckoning with what was lost and rediscovering what can be reclaimed. Therapeutic support can be a vital companion along the way. A culturally-responsive therapist can help you explore and reconcile the different parts of your identity as an immigrant or child of immigrants. Here are some therapy practices that can support this healing process for immigrants and children of immigrants: 

1. Foster understanding. Each family and cultural history is unique. Gaining clarity about the historical and generational context of your experiences can help you make sense of what happened—and recognize that it wasn’t your fault.

2. Recognize and care for your inner parts. Identify the parts of yourself that carry emotional wounds. Gently unblend from those "exiled" parts holding trauma, and approach them with curiosity, compassion, and care.

3. Connect with others. You are not alone in this process. Seek out relationships or communities where you feel safe and supported in your emotional vulnerability.

4. Cultivate body awareness. Trauma lives in the nervous system. Attending to your somatic experiences can help you develop both physical and emotional safety.

5. Explore meaning. Reflect on how you make sense of what happened to you and your family. Reclaim your narrative in a way that feels empowering and aligned with your truth.

6. Affirm agency. Acknowledge the impact of systemic oppression while empowering yourself to reclaim your voice, challenge internalized shame, and co-create spaces of collective care.

Culturally-Responsive Therapy for Immigrant Experiences

Who am I? Where do I belong? These questions are not signs of confusion or weakness—they are the beginning of healing. They emerge when we dare to hold the contradictions of our identity and honor the fullness of our experience.

To immigrants and children of immigrants navigating these questions: you are not alone. Your grief is valid. Your voice matters. And your story is worth telling— not just for yourself, but for the generations to come.

At ECC Chicago, all of our therapists are committed to providing culturally-responsive care to help you explore how your cultural identity is impacting your mental health and relationships. We offer multilingual therapy in Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean, both in person and online. If you’re looking for culturally competent therapy near you, we’re here to help. 

ABOUT ECC: 

Empowered Connections Counseling is a practice of licensed therapists providing quality, multidisciplinary counseling for adults, children & teens, relationships, and families in Chicago and across Illinois. Whether by in-person session or via telehealth, we work with clients to find the therapist and treatment methods that best suit their needs. Connect meaningfully with your life by booking an appointment today.