Dr. Megan Noren, PsyD, LCP
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Doctor of Psychology
Licensed Clinical Psychologist Director of Training To make an appointment with Dr. Noren, please call 630-570-0050. You can also email Contact.OH@OakHeartCenter.com.
Specializes In:Anxiety, Depression, Relationship Concerns, Trauma, Grief and Bereavement, Life Transitions, LGBTQIA Support, Maternal Mental Health/Perinatal Depression and Anxiety, Couples
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Professional Experiences
I completed my Bachelors of Science degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007 and then began my mental health career in Portland, Oregon working with adolescents in therapeutic day treatment and behavioral rehabilitation foster care settings. Several years later, I returned to Illinois to continue my education at The Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Throughout my graduate training, I worked in a variety of settings including private practice, community mental health, and university counseling. I also had the pleasure of serving as a Teaching Assistant for classes in Family and Couples Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Assessment. My Clinical Research Project (Dissertation) focused on the support needs of LGBTQ+ youth and their families during the coming out years. I completed an APA Accredited Predoctoral Internship at Northern Illinois University’s Counseling & Consultation Services before earning my Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology. I have continued to work with individuals and couples in private practice since that time.
Specializations and Treatment Approach
I currently treat:
Maternal Mental Health
Anxiety/Worry
Depression
Relationship concerns
Past trauma
Life stressors
Identity exploration
A large portion of my work is dedicated to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders which can include depression and anxiety during pregnancy and throughout the transitional year after birth. I work with individuals and couples as they navigate the various challenges associated with parenthood including shifts in identity, relationship dynamics, and the invisible mental load. I am passionate about empowering clients to establish healthy boundaries and prioritize their needs. Additionally, I am trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy as well as Emotion Focused Couples Therapy. I enjoy supporting both individuals and couples in strengthening connection, building communication skills, and processing relational injuries. Within all of my work with clients, I am committed to being LGBTQ+ and gender affirming. I support individuals as they explore various aspects of their identities and also work with parents who need a space to explore and process their own feelings, gain a greater understanding of identity dynamics, and learn ways to support their loved ones.
My primary approach to therapy includes the core conditions of the Humanistic perspective with a specific interest in Emotion Focused Therapy. I find value in exploring underlying emotions through processing and healing painful experiences, unfolding the personal narrative as it relates to attachment and identity, and transforming emotion to reach a more empowered, self-aware, and cohesive sense of self. I embrace the idea that dysfunctional beliefs are not necessarily the cause of maladaptive behaviors and emotion, but rather symptoms of unprocessed emotion memories. These distressing events seem to take root in the way we feel about ourselves, other people, and our world around us and need to be further explored. My therapeutic approach also incorporates aspects of structural family therapy to consider interpersonal dynamics within a system as well as aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I tend to be less structured and offer a compassionate, supportive space to talk about the things that are weighing most heavily on the person at that time. Through a trusting, supportive relationship which fosters the opportunity to access and explore emotions, the individuals I work with can begin to heal and create new meaning.
Maternal Mental Health
Anxiety/Worry
Depression
Relationship concerns
Past trauma
Life stressors
Identity exploration
A large portion of my work is dedicated to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders which can include depression and anxiety during pregnancy and throughout the transitional year after birth. I work with individuals and couples as they navigate the various challenges associated with parenthood including shifts in identity, relationship dynamics, and the invisible mental load. I am passionate about empowering clients to establish healthy boundaries and prioritize their needs. Additionally, I am trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy as well as Emotion Focused Couples Therapy. I enjoy supporting both individuals and couples in strengthening connection, building communication skills, and processing relational injuries. Within all of my work with clients, I am committed to being LGBTQ+ and gender affirming. I support individuals as they explore various aspects of their identities and also work with parents who need a space to explore and process their own feelings, gain a greater understanding of identity dynamics, and learn ways to support their loved ones.
My primary approach to therapy includes the core conditions of the Humanistic perspective with a specific interest in Emotion Focused Therapy. I find value in exploring underlying emotions through processing and healing painful experiences, unfolding the personal narrative as it relates to attachment and identity, and transforming emotion to reach a more empowered, self-aware, and cohesive sense of self. I embrace the idea that dysfunctional beliefs are not necessarily the cause of maladaptive behaviors and emotion, but rather symptoms of unprocessed emotion memories. These distressing events seem to take root in the way we feel about ourselves, other people, and our world around us and need to be further explored. My therapeutic approach also incorporates aspects of structural family therapy to consider interpersonal dynamics within a system as well as aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I tend to be less structured and offer a compassionate, supportive space to talk about the things that are weighing most heavily on the person at that time. Through a trusting, supportive relationship which fosters the opportunity to access and explore emotions, the individuals I work with can begin to heal and create new meaning.
About Me
What are your professional and personal values?
The values that guide my personal and professional life include connection, trust, compassion, courage, kindness, and gratitude.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a compassionate, patient, and curious person, driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. I do my best to approach my clients with empathy, kindness, understanding, and a steady presence while creating a safe and supportive environment free of judgment.
What are some of your favorite self-care activities?
My self-care activities vary depending on a number of factors including how I am feeling, what resources are available to me at the time, and what I’m needing at that moment. Sometimes I love a nice drive with fun, energizing music on and windows down while other times I need reflective peace and quiet. My favorite activity is usually spending quality time with my children and other family members. I love to feel connected, be silly, and laugh. I also love catching up with a good friend over delicious food and drinks. Other times when I am feeling overstimulated and need to recharge, I practice self-care by taking time alone, doing something crafty, or getting lost in mindless tv show. I’ll also never complain about a massage every once in a while.
What is your favorite quote?
“The only way out is through” represents much of the work we do together in therapy. It makes sense that we often want to avoid uncomfortable, distressing emotions in order to protect ourselves, but ultimately this prolongs the suffering and we see these unprocessed emotions come out in a number of maladaptive ways. This aligns well with another favorite saying that we need to “feel it to heal it.”
Another favorite quote is by Lt. Gen David Morrison who said, “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” This is a powerful reminder of our individual and collective responsibility to uphold moral standards and not passively tolerate unethical, discriminatory, or painful behavior. Taking accountability allows us all to work towards positive change within our society.
Why do you love being a mental health professional?
It is truly a privilege to witness and be a part of the growth and healing that transpires throughout the therapeutic process. It requires a great deal of strength and courage to seek support and explore vulnerable, often painful internal experiences. I feel so honored to witness the change we often see in clients when they begin to feel worthy and lovable, gain understanding of why we think/feel/behave the way they do, feel empowered, set boundaries, strengthen relationships that feel safe, and ultimately develop a more secure sense of self. It is an incredible journey and I feel so grateful to be a part of it.
The values that guide my personal and professional life include connection, trust, compassion, courage, kindness, and gratitude.
What are some adjectives you would use to describe yourself?
I would describe myself as a compassionate, patient, and curious person, driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. I do my best to approach my clients with empathy, kindness, understanding, and a steady presence while creating a safe and supportive environment free of judgment.
What are some of your favorite self-care activities?
My self-care activities vary depending on a number of factors including how I am feeling, what resources are available to me at the time, and what I’m needing at that moment. Sometimes I love a nice drive with fun, energizing music on and windows down while other times I need reflective peace and quiet. My favorite activity is usually spending quality time with my children and other family members. I love to feel connected, be silly, and laugh. I also love catching up with a good friend over delicious food and drinks. Other times when I am feeling overstimulated and need to recharge, I practice self-care by taking time alone, doing something crafty, or getting lost in mindless tv show. I’ll also never complain about a massage every once in a while.
What is your favorite quote?
“The only way out is through” represents much of the work we do together in therapy. It makes sense that we often want to avoid uncomfortable, distressing emotions in order to protect ourselves, but ultimately this prolongs the suffering and we see these unprocessed emotions come out in a number of maladaptive ways. This aligns well with another favorite saying that we need to “feel it to heal it.”
Another favorite quote is by Lt. Gen David Morrison who said, “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” This is a powerful reminder of our individual and collective responsibility to uphold moral standards and not passively tolerate unethical, discriminatory, or painful behavior. Taking accountability allows us all to work towards positive change within our society.
Why do you love being a mental health professional?
It is truly a privilege to witness and be a part of the growth and healing that transpires throughout the therapeutic process. It requires a great deal of strength and courage to seek support and explore vulnerable, often painful internal experiences. I feel so honored to witness the change we often see in clients when they begin to feel worthy and lovable, gain understanding of why we think/feel/behave the way they do, feel empowered, set boundaries, strengthen relationships that feel safe, and ultimately develop a more secure sense of self. It is an incredible journey and I feel so grateful to be a part of it.
Blogs:
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John and Julie Gottman, leading researchers and clinicians in the field of couples counseling, identified four significant communication problems that occur within conflict. They called them the “Four Horsemen” to signify that the relationship is in trouble and could be headed for the “end of days” if the dynamic does not change. Learn how to spot the problematic behaviors and practice the antidotes in order to decrease or eliminate these toxic interactions.
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