Gwen Ginski, MEd, LCSW
Everyone faces challenges in life. Seeking help for yourself, your child or relationship when experiencing difficulty is a strength which leads to creating a more fulfilling, healthy and happy life.
With over 20 years of experience, I create a safe space with empathetic and nonjudgmental listening while focusing on your strengths and desired outcomes. I use humanistic, neuroscience, cognitive behavioral, and evidence-based trauma therapies. With children, I use play, art and trauma-informed approaches. With teens, I introduce DBT coping skills in the areas of mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness. I also work to improve behavioral regulation with eating, sleeping and working habits and help the child and teens family understand their child’s development.
I have helped many to overcome and manage anxiety, trauma, depression, anger, loss, and adjustment to life circumstances. I have helped couples improve their relationship, restore their friendship, and learn to communicate and resolve conflict. I have helped couples restore intimacy and connection that has been damaged by years of conflict, infidelity or a lack of communication. I am trained in the Gottman Method for Couples (Level 2), Emotion Focused Therapy and Developmental Couples Therapy from the Couples Institute. I incorporate my thorough understanding of family dynamics and family systems, as well as, development.
I work with the family system to heal from loss and grief, illness, trauma, alcohol/substance abuse, divorce, empty nest, etc. I work with parents, divorcing parents and blended families to improve family functioning. I have a special interest in ADHD, school functioning, women's issues and helping blended families.
Background, Training And Approach
I have specialized training in treating trauma/PTSD certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT); Eye Movement Desensitization/Reprocessing (EMDR); and Trauma Focused-CBT (for children and teens).
As a young girl, I always wanted to grow up and be a therapist. I used to read issues of Psychology Today and was always curious about why people act the way they do. I earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology and graduated from Purdue University. While there, my professors noticed my curiosity and assigned me roles of teaching and researching. Shortly after I graduated, I became the proud mother of a little girl who became very sick with cancer. After her death, I went on to speak up about issues pertaining to the environment and cancer. My work was featured in the book, “Taking Action, Saving Lives: Our Duty to Protect the Environmental and Public Health”. I went on to obtain my Clinical Social Work degree at Loyola University Chicago. I also obtained a Master’s degree in Education while working as a School Social Worker. My experience was gained in community mental health, therapeutic schools and public schools. In 2015, I was recognized as Social Worker of the Year by the NASW Calumet Region.
Fast forward to today, I feel very privileged to live out my passion of helping others. I am happily married and have four children whom are all grown. I enjoy reading, gardening and cooking in my spare time.