Mindful Psychology Associates

Licensed Clinical Psychologists in Evanston, Illinois

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Opportunities and Challenges Post COVID-19: A Psychological Perspective

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Dealing with the COVID-19 global pandemic has forced individuals and companies to adapt quickly to change — creating much chaos and fears, as well as opportunities for flexibility and innovation. What will the world look like after people are back to work, kids are back to school, and some semblance of ‘normal life’ resumes?

Dr. Jennifer (Panning) Contarino proposes that we will experience significant changes in this recovery period including: post-traumatic hyper vigilance, striving towards homeostasis while also acknowledging the limitations of this old model, more care and connection between humans, and an adaptation to a world of ongoing uncertainty.

Jennifer (Panning) Contarino, Psy.D., (she/her/hers), Founder and President of Mindful Psychology Associates PC, has been an Illinois Licensed Clinical Psychologist for sixteen years. In 2017, she authored a chapter for the New York Times best-selling book “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Mental Health Experts Assess a President”. Her contribution entitled “Trump Anxiety Disorder” has led to interviews, writing and speaking engagements related to anxiety and fear amidst the existing sociopolitical climate. Dr. (Panning) Contarino has since been featured in publications such as New York Magazine, Washington Post, healthline.com, Esquire, Thrive Global, Raw Story, The Bill Press Pod, and CBC News. See more about Dr. Contarino >

Learn more about our Corporate Wellness Presentations >

To schedule Dr. Contarino for a presentation about this topic (or others) to your group or business, use our Contact Form or call  847-864-0600.

Integration Group

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Navigating the transition from an intensive outpatient program to an outpatient therapy setting can feel challenging.

During this time people are beginning to implement newly-learned skills with a decreased level of support from what they were recently receiving.

Integration Group provides group support for individuals navigating this change. You will find a space to talk about where you are struggling and where you are progressing while receiving support from your peers.

Ideal candidates for this group are individuals who are stepping down from a mood, anxiety, trauma, or dual diagnosis IOP program who would like additional support while they resume outpatient therapeutic work. We ask for an 8-week commitment to help support the development of a safe space for all group members.

Facilitated by psychologist Amanda (Snell) Stagg, Psy.D.

  • Thursdays beginning in June 2020
  • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • 8 weeks
  • via Zoom
  • $50 (can bill BCBS or NU Student Health insurance)

Register using our online Scheduling Form.

For more information, please email Dr. Stagg at amanda@evanstonpsychologists.com.

ACT Skills Group

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Learn coping and mindfulness skills in this new group therapy series.

All of us struggle at times with connecting to meaning, working with difficult and even painful thoughts and feelings, and being present for ourselves and others in our lives.

In this group, we will develop core skills and processes of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). ACT is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy designed to increase psychological flexibility through core mindfulness processes as a means to engage in a richer fuller life as well as cope with the challenges inherent in such a life.

Facilitated by therapist Aaron Stuewe, L.C.P.C.

  • Wednesdays beginning in June 2020
  • 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  • 8 weeks
  • via Zoom
  • $50 (can bill BCBS or NU Student Health insurance)

Register using our online Scheduling Form.

For more information, please email Aaron at aaron@evanstonpsychologists.com.

Trans Together Support Group

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This virtual support group for trans and gnc adults offers a space to connect with others and share experiences during the pandemic. Existing in a world that often wants us to conform can be challenging during the simplest of times. With the added hardship that is COVID-19, we could all use a little more community support.

This group is facilitated by post-doctoral fellow Ethan Stark, Psy.D., an out trans man.

  • Mondays beginning in June 2020
  • 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
  • Via Zoom
  • $15 per session

Register using our online Scheduling Form.

For more information, please email Dr. Stark at ethan@evanstonpsychologists.com.

Young Women’s Support Group

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Young adulthood can be a stressful and pivotal time in a young woman’s life, and engaging in these transitions can feel lonely and confusing — national health crisis or not!

Join other young women in this time of transition and change to connect, process, and support one another while gaining skills to manage anxiety and self care.

This group is facilitated by therapist Jena Catania.

  • Wednesdays beginning in June 2020
  • 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  • 8 weeks
  • via Zoom
  • $15 per session

Register using our online Scheduling Form.

For more information, please email Jena at jena@evanstonpsychologists.com.

“What Is It Like to Be a Therapist Right Now?”

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“Nearly half of all Americans feel that the coronavirus pandemic has had a negative impact on their mental health, according to a new poll conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation.” 

Dr. Jennifer (Panning) Contarino spoke with Amanda Arnold for New York Magazine about she is coping with the coronavirus pandemic as a therapist. In this article, she talks about the transition to virtual therapy (telehealth), collective grief, and what advice she has for her clients.

“I’ve told clients that we need to acknowledge the small losses because they absolutely do matter, whether that means missing out on a sporting season or just normal routines. We took those things for granted because we could, and now we’re realizing that the small pleasures in life are good things, and we’ll probably appreciate them more when we’re able to go back to a semblance of a normal routine.”

Read the whole interview on the New York website >>