Cory Giguere, MSW, LSW
|
Master of Social Work
Licensed Social Worker To make an appointment with Cory, please call 630-570-0050. You can also email [email protected].
Specializes In:Depression/Major Depression, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety, Worry/Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Trauma/PTSD, Relationship Concerns, Caregiver Support, ADHD, Self-Esteem, Anger Management, Adjustment and Chronic Stress
Ages Served: Children and Adolescents (10+), Teens, Young Adults, Adults, Older Adults |
Professional Experience
I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago and a Master of Social Work from Aurora University, bringing a uniquely creative and compassionate lens to my work in mental health and social services.
With a background as a school social worker, I have had the privilege of serving students and families across a wide range of communities — from Chicago neighborhoods such as Little Village to suburban settings. My school-based experience includes work in cluster programs as well as hands-on expertise with 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), equipping me to advocate effectively for students with diverse learning, emotional, and behavioral needs. I am trained in cognitive behavioral and trauma-based interventions, allowing me to meet clients where they are and provide evidence-based care that is both thoughtful and grounded in best practices.
Beyond the school setting, I have extended my commitment to mental health awareness through community outreach work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), connecting individuals
and families with the resources and support they deserve. Additionally, through NAMI, I have facilitated evidence-based support groups for mental health caregivers and family members, empowering them with the tools and knowledge needed to best support their loved ones through mental health challenges.
With a background as a school social worker, I have had the privilege of serving students and families across a wide range of communities — from Chicago neighborhoods such as Little Village to suburban settings. My school-based experience includes work in cluster programs as well as hands-on expertise with 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), equipping me to advocate effectively for students with diverse learning, emotional, and behavioral needs. I am trained in cognitive behavioral and trauma-based interventions, allowing me to meet clients where they are and provide evidence-based care that is both thoughtful and grounded in best practices.
Beyond the school setting, I have extended my commitment to mental health awareness through community outreach work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), connecting individuals
and families with the resources and support they deserve. Additionally, through NAMI, I have facilitated evidence-based support groups for mental health caregivers and family members, empowering them with the tools and knowledge needed to best support their loved ones through mental health challenges.
Specializations and Treatment Approach
I currently treat:
Depression/Major Depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Social Anxiety
Worry/Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Trauma/PTSD
Relationship Concerns
Caregiver Support
ADHD
Self-Esteem
Anger Management
Adjustment and Chronic Stress
My clinical work is rooted in a deep passion for supporting individuals across the lifespan, with a particular specialty in working with school-aged children from kindergarten through high school. I have experience addressing a wide range of needs, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, social anxiety, trauma, abuse, struggles with self-esteem, and life transitions. My background as a school social worker has given me a thorough understanding of the 504 and IEP processes, allowing me to serve as an informed advocate for children and families navigating those systems.
I have also worked extensively in cluster programs alongside students with significant learning, behavioral, and emotional needs, as well as those on the autism spectrum — experience that has deeply shaped my ability to meet clients where they are with patience, creativity, and care. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), an evidence-based program designed to reduce symptoms of trauma and support emotional resilience in young people.
I am proud to work with a diverse client base spanning a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and lived
experiences. I believe that culturally responsive, individualized care is essential. My practice draws on several therapeutic approaches tailored to each client's unique needs. CBT explores the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to help identify and reshape unhelpful patterns, while Humanistic Therapy honors each client's inherent worth and supports self-discovery and personal growth. Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) builds emotional awareness and healthier ways of relating to oneself and others, and Solution-Focused Therapy highlights existing strengths to create practical steps toward a client's envisioned future. Underlying all of these approaches is a Strengths-Based perspective that recognizes each client as the expert of their own life.
Working with me, clients can expect an authentic space that is warm, nonjudgmental, and supportive, while also being structured and goal-oriented. I am deeply committed to helping each client grow in confidence and self-awareness through genuine collaboration, consistent progress toward their goals, and a therapeutic relationship built on trust and respect.
Depression/Major Depression
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia
Social Anxiety
Worry/Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Trauma/PTSD
Relationship Concerns
Caregiver Support
ADHD
Self-Esteem
Anger Management
Adjustment and Chronic Stress
My clinical work is rooted in a deep passion for supporting individuals across the lifespan, with a particular specialty in working with school-aged children from kindergarten through high school. I have experience addressing a wide range of needs, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, social anxiety, trauma, abuse, struggles with self-esteem, and life transitions. My background as a school social worker has given me a thorough understanding of the 504 and IEP processes, allowing me to serve as an informed advocate for children and families navigating those systems.
I have also worked extensively in cluster programs alongside students with significant learning, behavioral, and emotional needs, as well as those on the autism spectrum — experience that has deeply shaped my ability to meet clients where they are with patience, creativity, and care. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), an evidence-based program designed to reduce symptoms of trauma and support emotional resilience in young people.
I am proud to work with a diverse client base spanning a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and lived
experiences. I believe that culturally responsive, individualized care is essential. My practice draws on several therapeutic approaches tailored to each client's unique needs. CBT explores the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to help identify and reshape unhelpful patterns, while Humanistic Therapy honors each client's inherent worth and supports self-discovery and personal growth. Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) builds emotional awareness and healthier ways of relating to oneself and others, and Solution-Focused Therapy highlights existing strengths to create practical steps toward a client's envisioned future. Underlying all of these approaches is a Strengths-Based perspective that recognizes each client as the expert of their own life.
Working with me, clients can expect an authentic space that is warm, nonjudgmental, and supportive, while also being structured and goal-oriented. I am deeply committed to helping each client grow in confidence and self-awareness through genuine collaboration, consistent progress toward their goals, and a therapeutic relationship built on trust and respect.
About Me
What are your professional and personal values?
At the core of my life and work are values I hold deeply: authenticity, balance, curiosity, optimism, and growth. I believe that a fulfilling life is built on the willingness to show up honestly and remain open to continued development. These values shape not only how I live, but how I practice — informing the care, intentionality, and genuine investment I bring to my work with clients. I am passionate about the process of self-discovery and feel honored to support clients as they explore what it means to live with greater balance, purpose, and possibility.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
Outside of my professional life, I am a caring father and present husband who believes in moving through life with humor and a positive outlook. In a world that often moves faster than we can keep up with, I find it both necessary and meaningful to slow down and appreciate the good that surrounds us. I know firsthand how overwhelming the pace of life can feel, and that awareness deepens my empathy for the clients I work with. It is a reminder that joy, connection, and gratitude are not luxuries — they are essential to living a life that feels full and grounded.
What are some of your favorite self care activities?
I enjoy spending quality time with my family, which is where I feel most at home. I am a passionate soccer fan and proudly support the Chicago Fire — whether the season is going well or not. I like to watch movies and listen to music as a way to help me unwind, reflect, and recharge. I enjoy reading but rarely have the time to finish a book. My list of half-read books is slowly growing. While simple, these meaningful pursuits remind me of the importance of rest, joy, and connection — values I carry with me into my work with clients every day.
What is your favorite quote?
One quote that has always resonated with me is Aesop's timeless words: "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." It is a reminder that kindness does not have to be grand or dramatic to be meaningful — that the small, quiet gestures we extend to others carry more weight than we often realize. This belief shapes the way I move through life and the way I show up for the people I work with. I believe that genuine care, offered consistently and sincerely, has the power to create real and lasting change.
What’s the most profound, meaningful, or interesting thing you’ve learned or experienced as a mental health professional? Why do you love being a mental health professional?
Among the most meaningful experiences of my career has been the privilege of witnessing the growth of the clients I work with: from those early, difficult moments of struggle to the hard-earned wins that come through persistence and courage. There is something deeply humbling about being trusted with that journey, and it is a reminder of why this work matters so much. This is one of many reason why I became a mental health professional in the first place. As a former teacher, I was able to assist students, but was often unable to guide them through their struggles with mental health from beginning to end. Being able to witness a client move through pain and uncertainty toward greater clarity and strength is not something I take lightly.
What led you to become a therapist?
My passion for mental health work was shaped by lived experience and a deep understanding of what it means to navigate life's most difficult moments. Those experiences gave me something that cannot be taught: a genuine empathy for those who are struggling and a strong commitment to advocating for those who have not yet found their voice. I believe that everyone deserves to be heard, supported, and met with compassion; regardless of where they are in their journey. It is that belief that drew me to this profession and continues to drive the care and dedication I bring to my work each and every day.
At the core of my life and work are values I hold deeply: authenticity, balance, curiosity, optimism, and growth. I believe that a fulfilling life is built on the willingness to show up honestly and remain open to continued development. These values shape not only how I live, but how I practice — informing the care, intentionality, and genuine investment I bring to my work with clients. I am passionate about the process of self-discovery and feel honored to support clients as they explore what it means to live with greater balance, purpose, and possibility.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself and why?
Outside of my professional life, I am a caring father and present husband who believes in moving through life with humor and a positive outlook. In a world that often moves faster than we can keep up with, I find it both necessary and meaningful to slow down and appreciate the good that surrounds us. I know firsthand how overwhelming the pace of life can feel, and that awareness deepens my empathy for the clients I work with. It is a reminder that joy, connection, and gratitude are not luxuries — they are essential to living a life that feels full and grounded.
What are some of your favorite self care activities?
I enjoy spending quality time with my family, which is where I feel most at home. I am a passionate soccer fan and proudly support the Chicago Fire — whether the season is going well or not. I like to watch movies and listen to music as a way to help me unwind, reflect, and recharge. I enjoy reading but rarely have the time to finish a book. My list of half-read books is slowly growing. While simple, these meaningful pursuits remind me of the importance of rest, joy, and connection — values I carry with me into my work with clients every day.
What is your favorite quote?
One quote that has always resonated with me is Aesop's timeless words: "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." It is a reminder that kindness does not have to be grand or dramatic to be meaningful — that the small, quiet gestures we extend to others carry more weight than we often realize. This belief shapes the way I move through life and the way I show up for the people I work with. I believe that genuine care, offered consistently and sincerely, has the power to create real and lasting change.
What’s the most profound, meaningful, or interesting thing you’ve learned or experienced as a mental health professional? Why do you love being a mental health professional?
Among the most meaningful experiences of my career has been the privilege of witnessing the growth of the clients I work with: from those early, difficult moments of struggle to the hard-earned wins that come through persistence and courage. There is something deeply humbling about being trusted with that journey, and it is a reminder of why this work matters so much. This is one of many reason why I became a mental health professional in the first place. As a former teacher, I was able to assist students, but was often unable to guide them through their struggles with mental health from beginning to end. Being able to witness a client move through pain and uncertainty toward greater clarity and strength is not something I take lightly.
What led you to become a therapist?
My passion for mental health work was shaped by lived experience and a deep understanding of what it means to navigate life's most difficult moments. Those experiences gave me something that cannot be taught: a genuine empathy for those who are struggling and a strong commitment to advocating for those who have not yet found their voice. I believe that everyone deserves to be heard, supported, and met with compassion; regardless of where they are in their journey. It is that belief that drew me to this profession and continues to drive the care and dedication I bring to my work each and every day.
