Personal growth · Individual therapy · Chicago
Therapy for Emotional Awareness in Chicago
Sometimes you know that something is wrong before you can name what you feel. You may notice tension, irritability, or a wish to disappear into work rather than a clear emotion.
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What you may be noticing
- Finding it hard to describe your experience
- Noticing feelings only after they build up
- Judging emotions before understanding them
Your experience may look different. These examples are starting points for a conversation.
How we can work on this
We can slow down specific situations and look at thoughts, body sensations, impulses, and needs. Over time, this may help you recognize more choices between having an emotion and acting on it.
I am Sam Rustum, LCPC. My work is collaborative: we will discuss your priorities, choose a starting point, and check whether our approach is useful to you.
What happens between saying you are fine and losing patience?
You might get through a difficult conversation without noticing much, then feel irritated by a small request at home. When someone asks what is wrong, the best answer you have is that you are tired. We can begin there and look back at what happened without expecting you to name the right emotion immediately.
A session might follow the sequence in detail: the comment that stayed with you, the tightness you noticed, the thought you dismissed, and the response you held back. I may ask whether you wanted to leave, argue, explain, or be understood. Those details can give us a clearer account of your experience than searching for one perfect label.
As you recognize the pattern, we can consider what would help you respond sooner. That might involve asking for a pause, expressing disappointment, or recognizing a need before it becomes resentment. The work may connect with personal boundaries and the buildup of stress.
Questions you may be asking
What if I mostly feel numb or unsure?
We can start with changes in your energy, interest, attention, or behavior. You can describe what a day was like without having a clear feeling word. We will stay curious about the experience and consider what else deserves attention.
Do I have to talk about childhood right away?
We can begin with current situations. Earlier experiences may help explain how you learned to respond to emotions, and we can discuss exploring them when that feels relevant to your goals. You can ask about the reason for a question.
Will paying attention to feelings make me more reactive?
Our work can include noticing the difference between an emotion, an urge, and the action you choose. We can take time to understand a feeling and then decide how to respond. You do not have to act on every feeling you identify.
A place to begin
Let’s make room for what you need.
A free 15-minute consultation gives us a chance to talk about what is difficult, answer your questions, and consider whether working together fits what you need.