info@growingsidewaystherapy.com | 708-304-3090
No Perfect Path.
Only Yours.
Growing Sideways Therapy personalized care in Chicago
Lisa Howard, LCSW (she/her)
Your life is changing
You don't have to go it alone
Even for people who are doing all the “right” things, life can take unexpected turns. There’s no perfect path, just the one that’s uniquely yours. At Growing Sideways Therapy in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Chicago and virtually, we specialize in counseling for adults in their 20s and 30s. Navigating life's transitions can be challenging, from career shifts to relationship changes, relocations, and academic pursuits. Together, we explore your unique path and work toward the emotional balance and fulfillment that matters to you.
Glad to meet you
About Lisa Howard, LCSW
My approach is collaborative and curious. I bring warmth, compassion, and a genuine interest in getting to know you, and we’ll find what works best for you along the way. At Growing Sideways Therapy, I believe growth doesn’t always go in a straight line. It can move inward, outward, and often in beautifully unexpected directions.Using evidence-based approaches like ACT, DBT, and Unified Protocol woven with mindfulness and somatic techniques, we offer compassionate and personalized therapy to support your growth and transformation. If you're seeking therapy in the Chicago area, Growing Sideways Therapy is here to help, providing a supportive environment for healing. I hold a Master of Arts in Social Work (AM) from the University of Chicago. I also hold a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Education from American Jewish University.
Therapy can make a difference
Life can be thrilling and full of possibility, but life can also feel overwhelming, disorienting, or emotionally complex. Please know you’re not alone. Clients experience many situations, including:
Anxiety
Anxiety can show up as worried thoughts, uncomfortable physical sensations, and difficulty getting through everyday tasks. Therapy can help you make sense of what you’re experiencing and bring down the volume.
Grief | Sudden Loss
Therapy can support you through grief, whether it follows a sudden loss or unfolds over time. Your emotions may feel overwhelming or numb. In therapy, you can move at your own pace in a space that is just for you.
Depression | Low Mood
Depression and low mood can make it hard to move through your day and feel connected to others. Therapy offers a connected space where you don’t have to navigate that alone. Together, you can begin to understand what you’re experiencing and find ways to move forward.
Women's Issues | Transitions
Transitions in women’s lives, such as perimenopause, can feel complex and at times disorienting. Therapy offers a supportive space to sort through your reactions to these changes while building insight, capacity, and understanding.
Loneliness | Isolation
Isolation can be painful and stir up a range of difficult emotions. Therapy offers a space that is just for you, where you can feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Guilt | Shame
Guilt and shame can be deeply painful and hard to carry on your own. Therapy can help you understand where these feelings come from and support you in moving through them with compassion and healing.
Lisa Howard supports you through all life's twists and turns including:
Graduate School and College
Grad school and college can be exciting, messy, and full of big questions. It’s a time of growth and change where you're figuring out who you are, what you want, and how to handle everything life throws your way. Along the way, things like anxiety, depression, or eating concerns can make the journey feel overwhelming.
I have extensive experience supporting students, including navigating the university landscape. I walk alongside you as you find your footing, offering a space where you can show up exactly as you are. Together, we’ll explore what’s getting in the way, build tools that work for you, and uncover your own strengths and clarity. In therapy, I support your own distinct growth.
Relationship Changes and Stress
Starting or ending a romantic relationship or coping with friendship and family issues can stir up just about everything—hope, heartbreak, relief, confusion, joy, grief, or even all of these in the same day. No surprise: relationship changes make up four of the top ten most stressful life events. That’s a big deal. Whether you're falling in love, finding your way out, or sitting in the uncertainty in between, therapy offers a space just for you.
Weaving in my couples therapy training in Gottman Method and sex therapy, we can deepen your understanding of yourself. Here, you get to slow down, make sense of your thoughts and feelings, and reconnect with your own wisdom, resilience, and values.
I support you in building a stronger foundation with yourself, no matter what your relationship status is.
Relocating
Moving to a new place can bring hope of fresh starts, new opportunities, and exciting change—but there are also the to-do lists that never end, the weird mix of loneliness and overstimulation, and the quiet moments where nothing feels like home yet.
Know that you don’t have to figure it all out alone. In our space, we’ll slow things down, make sense of what’s coming up, and work toward what matters most to you. Together, we’ll help you feel more grounded and ready to grow in your new chapter.
At Growing Sideways Therapy, I provide small group workshops and events for individuals new to the community. Please reach out to learn more about events as well as individual support.
Career Shifts and Stress
Career stress such as burnout and workplace dynamics, and job shifts—such as landing a new role, navigating a layoff, stepping into a promotion, or simply figuring out what’s next can stir up a mix of emotions. Together with the excitement, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or isolated. Changes can also bring up challenges with food, self-image, or self-worth. You may experience lack of energy or anxiety. These are human responses, and you don’t have to go through it alone.
I’ve supported many individuals facing career transitions and career stress, and I’ve seen how therapy can offer clarity, grounding, and support.
A note from Lisa Howard
With me, therapy begins with genuine human connection. I believe the foundation for meaningful change comes from the trust we build together. My approach is compassionate, and curious, creating a space where you can share openly and feel truly heard. Together, we’ll explore what’s happening in your life, make sense of your experiences, and work toward the emotional health and balance you’re seeking. I believe in change through therapy.There’s no single perfect path, only the one that’s uniquely yours. Therapy with me is a collaborative process. We’ll co-create an approach that fits your goals, supports your growth, and evolves as you do. I draw from a range of modalities including ACT, DBT, RO-DBT, Unified Protocol (UP), somatic practices, breathwork, and emotion focus practices to best support your needs. I continue to deepen my expertise in these areas through ongoing training, building upon the strong foundation I developed at the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy. I have a special interest and background in supporting individuals in their 20s and 30s.
Let's connect to learn more or to schedule.
Practicalities
We are in network with BCBS PPO plans, with Aetna plans, and support out-of-network clients by providing superbills.
You are not just a diagnosis. That's why you have options for care that goes beyond the typical medical model - no insurance, just personalized care tailored to your needs. This collaborative model ensures greater flexibility, personalization, and privacy. If you are interested in customized plans or concierge-style care, feel encouraged to get in touch.
Let's Connect
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